Perhaps it is the fact that finally, after eight seasons in Cincinnati, he is out from under the sideshow shadow of the wide receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson.
Or, maybe it’s just that the Southern California-born, Oregon State-educated wide receiver is delighted to be back on the West Coast. But then it could be the setting of his new team’s headquarters on the shores of Lake Washington. Or, the reality that he’ll be catching passes this season from 
| Seahawks 2009 |
This is the fifth in a series of eight articles sizing up the Seahawks by units for the upcoming season. Today To come |
Houshmandzadeh did, after all, average 89 receptions, 1,012 yards and seven touchdowns the past five seasons for the Bengals.
But then these are giddy times for a Seahawks passing game that was forced to start 10 wide-outs – in 12 different combinations – last year after a rash of injuries that claimed Ben Obomanu for the entire season,
That’s also why Houshmandzadeh is here, as well as third-round draft choice
Two other pluses would be getting full – not to mention productive – seasons from Burleson and Branch. They were intended to be the starting split end and flanker last season, but never were on the field together.
Burleson seemed poised for the type of season the club envisioned when it signed him in free agency in 2006. Instead, he blew out his left knee in the season opener. But Burleson has been ahead of schedule in his rehab and was able to participate in team drills during the June minicamp.
“I don’t know timelines, but Nate is definitely getting better each and every practice,” Hasselbeck said. “He is really a guy who is explosive once you get the ball in his hands. I think that will be a priority again for me again this year, to just try to get the ball into his hands.
“I don’t know what you guys think, but to me he looks really good. I’m excited with how he looks.”
| Seahawks 2009 Receivers |
A look at the unit as the team takes a break before the start of training camp practices on July 31: Split ends: Nate Burleson, Deon Butler, Flanker: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch, Ben Obomanu, Tight end: The word: Staying healthy is Priority One for this unit after Burleson, Branch, Payne and Obomanu combined to miss far more games (53) than they made catches (38) last season. Burleson torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the season opener, while Branch has had two procedures on his left knee in the past 16 months. That’s why Houshmandzadeh was signed and Butler drafted. That’s also why Carlson continues to loom large in the passing game, even in the three- and four-receiver sets where another wide-out traditionally has replaced the tight end. |
Knee and heel injuries also have contributed to Branch’s diminishing contributions in each of his three seasons after the Seahawks gave up so much to get him in a 2006 trade with the New England Patriots. But the former Super Bowl MVP also was back on the practice field for the final minicamp, and showing flashes of the talents that led to the Seahawks give up a first-round draft choice to obtain him and a six-year, $39 million contract to appease him.
“I’ll be OK,” said Branch, who had reconstructive knee surgery after the 2007 season and a clean-out procedure this spring. “I’ll never think about the knee once I take the field.”
At times overlooked, but never lost, in this situation are the contributions of tight end John Carlson, who led the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches as a rookie. His significance to the passing game is best indicated by the fact that when coach Jim Mora and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp talk about going with four-receiver sets, they include Carlson rather than a fourth wide-out.
“John looks like he’s going to be pretty special,” Mora said. “He can go in-line and block. He can go in motion. He can go in the slot. And he’s very smart. He can handle a lot. I like him a lot.”
Put Butler’s combination of speed, refined receiving skills and savvy into the equation and it creates what could be a diversity of riches at the spot where the Seahawks were rendered paupers in 2008.