Houshmanzadeh unlikely to get franchised

[Pyro]

Originally Posted by Dayton Daily News

The Bengals would have to pay T.J. Houshmandzadeh $9.88 million in salary for the 2009 season if they where to designate him with the franchise tag, something they're unlikely to do.

"I don't want any part of the tag," he said. "The more I think about, I don't think I'll be franchised. It's a lot of money. If you franchise somebody what are you saying about the player? Obviously, you think he is that type of player, and if you think he's that type of player then you're franchising him.

"That shows you within itself that OK we think he's one of the better players and we're going to franchise him. If that's the case give him a contract like your franchising him. That's how I see it and don't see the franchise thing happening."

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Houshmanzadeh leaving would be a big blow to the Bengals' offense, more attention could be focused on Chad Johnson, and with a bad line it'll be tough for Palmer to deliver the ball to his wideouts. They need to get him back.

[Anthony]

The Bengals are taking a huge drop in strength of schedule next year, and with Palmer presumably coming back, they could make a quick return to at least the playoff mix in the AFC, with or without Houshmandzadeh.

The same thing applies to Cleveland as well.