49. T.J. Houshmandzadeh
Wasn’t the last name of T.J. Houshmandzadeh a thing of beauty on the back of an NFL jersey?
Drafted in the seventh round (204th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Oregon State, T.J. Houshmandzadeh was an unheralded longshot whose bold personality was matched only by his elite hands and ferocious work ethic over the middle. Along with the custom spacing required to fit his iconic surname on the back of his jersey, Houshmandzadeh carved out a legacy as one of the most dependable third-down chain-movers in franchise history.
Houshmandzadeh spent his early NFL tenure establishing himself as a role player, working as a reserve receiver and special teams returner. After a hamstring injury sidelined him for almost the entire 2003 season, he fought his way into the starting lineup in 2004 alongside Chad Johnson, forming one of the dynamic receiving duos of the 2000s.
From 2004 to 2008, Houshmandzadeh became Carson Palmer's key safety valve. He accumulated 978 receiving yards in 2004 and 856 yards in 2005, providing the physical, tough-yardage support alongside Johnson's speed downfield during Cincinnati's 2005 division victory. In 2006, he surpassed 1,000 yards with 90 receptions for 1,081 yards and nine touchdowns, paving the way for an outstanding season in 2007. In the historic 2007 season, Houshmandzadeh equally led the NFL with a franchise-record 112 receptions, setting personal bests with 1,143 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, which earned him his only Pro Bowl selection.
He played one final season with Cincinnati in 2008, catching 92 passes despite missing his starting quarterback for most of the year, before signing with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency in 2009. With the Bengals, he compiled 507 receptions, 5,782 receiving yards, and 37 receiving touchdowns alongside 1,291 total return yards.
The 2017 Football Futures have been updated
We already had the Football Futures from 2016, 2017 and 2018 up, and we have first decided to add additional candidates to the 2017 Football Futures Section.
First, here are the 2017 Football Future candidates who had already been uploaded:
Albert Haynesworth, a controversial Defensive Tackle who was two time First Team All Pro.
Brian Dawkins, a Safety who was named to nine Pro Bowls, four First Team All Pros and is a member of the 20/20 club.
Chad Johnson, the charismatic Wide Receiver who was a six time Pro Bowler and once led the NFL in Receiving Yards.
Derrick Mason, a two time Pro Bowl Selection who once led the National Football League in All-Purpose Yards.
Hines Ward, a Wide Receiver who was a Pro Bowl Selection twice, and a two time Super Bowl Champion (and one time Super Bowl MVP) with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jason Taylor, a Defensive Tackle who was a six time Pro Bowl Selection and was a former Defensive Player of the Year.
Jeremy Shockey, a brash Tight End who was a four time Pro Bowler and two time winner of the Super Bowl (one with the New York Giants and one with the New Orleans Saints).
Joey Porter, a Linebacker who went to four Pro Bowls and helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win the Super Bowl.
Kris Dielman, an Offensive Guard who played his entire career with the San Diego Chargers and went to four Pro Bowls.
LaDanian Tomlinson, a Running Back who was a two time Rushing Champion and five time Pro Bowler while playing with the San Diego Chargers.
Olin Kreutz, a Center who was a six time Pro Bowler and one time First Team All Pro while playing for the Chicago Bears.
Ricky Williams, an enigmatic Running Back who was the NFL’s leading rusher in 2002.
The new additions are as follows:
Aaron Kampman, a Defensive End with two Pro Bowl Selections and over 50 Quarterback Sacks.
Aaron Smith, a Defensive End with two Super Bowl Rings and two Pro Bowl nods in a career that was only spent with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Al Harris, a Cornerback who helped the Green Bay Packers win a Super Bowl and also a two time Pro Bowl Selection.
Bob Sanders, a Safety who was a former AP Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the Colts’ lone Super Bowl win in Indianapolis.
Casey Wiegmann, an undrafted Center who was a one time Pro Bowl Selection.
Chad Clifton, an Offensive Lineman who made two Pro Bowls and helped the Green Bay Packers win a Super Bowl.
Donovan McNabb, a Quarterback known for his time with the Philadelphia Eagles where he took them to multiple NFC Championship Games.
E.J. Henderson, a linebacker who played all nine of his seasons with Minnesota Vikings.
Jake Delhomme, a Quarterback who took the Carolina Panthers to their first Super Bowl appearance.
John Henderson, a Defensive Tackle who made two Pro Bowls while playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Joseph Addai, a Running Back who went to one Pro Bowl and was a big reason that Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl.
Larry Johnson, a Running Back who went to two Pro Bowls and earned a first Team All Pro spot.
Lito Sheppard, a Cornerback who went to a pair of Pro Bowls and was also a First Team All Pro Selection once.
Marion Barber, a Running Back who was a one time Pro Bowl Selection.
Matt Light, an Offensive Tackle who won three Super Bowls and went to three Pro Bowls with the New England Patriots.
Mike Sellers, a Fullback who made one Pro Bowl.
Neil Rackers, a Place Kicker who once led the NFL in Field Goals.
Nick Collins, a Safety who led the NFL once in Interception Return Yards, made three Pro Bowls and was a Super Bowl Champion with the Green Bay Packers.
Ovie Mughelli, a Fullback who was a one time Pro Bowl Selection.
Ryan Pontbriand, a Long Snapper who went to two Pro Bowls.
Shaun Ellis, a Defensive End who went to two Pro Bowls.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, a Wide Receiver who was a one time Pro Bowl Selection.
Thomas Jones, a Running Back who is a member of the 10,000 Yard Rushing Club.
Tommie Harris, a Defensive Tackle who was a three time Pro Bowler.
Vince Young, a Quarterback who went to two Pro Bowls.
We will be continuing our work on the football futures and you will be seeing that shortly. In the meantime we are hopeful that we will receive your inputs and votes on this batch of future eligible football players.
