First impressions from Houshmandzadeh

BasX · Mar 3, 2009

RENTON, Wash. -- T.J. Houshmandzadeh's initial news conference with the Seahawks has concluded. A few observations based on the news conference and additional conversations with general manager Tim Ruskell and coach Jim Mora:

* Seattle's existing receivers, Deion Branch and Nate Burleson, have expressed excitement about the move. They think Houshmandzadeh will make them better. The signing does not jeopardize the futures of Branch or Burleson. Mora made that clear.
* The Seahawks like Houshmandzadeh's maturity and intelligence. They think he embodies what Mora hit upon in his first news conference as head coach: a player with the capacity to understand conceptions instead of one who simply memorizes assignments.
* When I asked Mora to name his starting receivers in a two-receiver set, Houshmandzadeh interrupted with, "The best two." The response bailed out Mora. I followed up with Mora after the news conference and he wasn't going to make any proclamations. He does expect the Seahawks to use three receivers quite a bit, with tight end John Carlson as a fourth target for Matt Hasselbeck.
* The impression Mora made on Houshmandzadehs' wife and young daughters made the family feel comfortable about signing with Seattle. Houshmandzadeh said the ability to win was most influential in his decision, trumping all other factors (money aside). But Mora's personality helped.
* An example of the Mora touch: When Houshmandzadeh was saying his goodbyes in Seattle before heading to visit with the Vikings, Mora asked the receiver to leave his watch as collateral. Mora joked that he would have sent the watch to Houshmandzadeh by mail if the receiver had signed with the Vikings, but the fact that Mora felt comfortable enough to ask for the watch tells me they hit it off.
* Houshmandzadeh did undergo an MRI, as alluded to during a radio show, but this was simply part of the regular examination process. No red flags.

I also followed up with Ruskell about Colin Cole's expected role. More on that in a bit.
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First impressions from Houshmandzadeh

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