Shameless plug for TJ Show
TJ Houshmandzadeh and I are taping a 2-hour show on WLW that will run Thanksgiving night, either 6-8 or 7-9... it's good stuff, talking about his background, his family, his motivation. Anyone who has spent more than a few minutes with this guy knows him to be bright and candid... what I need from you is a few questions I might ask him tonight (Tuesday), for the second hour of the show. No why-do-the-Bengals suck questions, OK? Thanks
posted by Paul Daugherty at 8:42 AM
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Post a Comment*Ask him how he is so fearless going over the middle and making big 3rd down catches knowing he is going to get crushed when no other receiver on the roster will do it.
Paul,
I'd like to know how it's happened that this team has gone from one of grit and fight to a team with seemingly no heart? The loss Sunday is a perfect example. Every time something negative happened on the field the expression of the particular Bengal that happened to be on the camera at the time was one of expressionless defeat. Chad fumbles the ball inside the 10 and makes no attempt whatsoever to try and recover it. Carson throws 4 picks followed by an uninspired look of "Huh?" on his face every time. TJ gets dinged and leaves the game with a seemingly insignificant injury and he can't make it back out onto the field for either of the last two drives when they still had a chance to tie. So you have to wonder, where's the fight? Where's the clawing, scratching and biting that you would expect to see from a team that knows they have to win, assuming they want to win of course. What happened to the days when you taped it up and went with it because losing was not an option? As you've mentioned before, I agree that they've all been Bengalized. And while Marvin likes to comment that "we would not understand", as Bengal fans I 100% guarantee we completely understand what it means to be Bengalized.
Jamie
ask him if he knows if the reds were in on trade talks for garland from chicago.
What is your explanation for your continued improvement as a player? He's having an even better year than 2006 where he had 90 rec., 1,081 yds. and 9 TDs. Also, what is Chad Johnson like as a teammate? Is he any different than when you played together at Oregon State?
Does he live in town in the off-season? If so, it would be interesting to hear what he and his family perceive as pros and cons of that. Also, does he/they experience issues around his ethnicity--esp post 9-11.
Ask him why he always insists the Bengals are more talented to the team they just lost to.
On MNF, Kornheiser mentioned talking to John Lynch, and Lynch said that despite recent struggles he knew they were going to win against KC because they practiced so well during the week before. When asked about the TN game, he said it was their best week of practice he could remember.
Ask TJ what Bengal practices are like now compared to the start of the year, vs. 2005, etc.
Ask him how much that comes out of the Bengal's office is spin, and how much is serious intent to put together a first rate team.
Also, ask him if your average star player's desire to be on a winner would take them away from a team if that ownership never showed the skill or desire to build a winner.
1. Ask him what are the chances he re-signs with the Bengals, or signs with any other cold weather market once he is a FA (after 2008 season)?
2. Does the team employ dietitians and what is his personal training regimen like? Does he know how Jerry Rice did it(aside from the massage parlors)? Has he tried that? Who sets the bar for preparation in the NFL? Are most players lazy?
3. Also, how embarassed is he to wear those "rodeo-clown reject" uniforms every week? And don't let him couch it by saying he's used to wearing orange and black from college. Black and orange=cool color scheme. Bengals uniforms= crayolas + radiator + intern on loan from inbred/nepotistic family that owns team=new team uniforms! Cha-ching!
3. Explain the difference between neoptism and despotism as it relates to the Brown family and NFL ownership in general.
4. Has talent has trumped toughness in the Bengals' lockerroom? Stick with me here-is there soemthing to be said for drafting tough guys who overachieve who fit the scheme versus more talented guys who could fit in a number of schemes but maybe aren't as gritty/team players? "Mr. Bengal" has commented that when he sees certain college players,he says "That's a Steelers-kind of player." He's not talking about fitting a specific scheme. He means "That guy is one bad mother." But why does that quality have to be exclusive to the Steelers? Why wouldn't that person, who is representative of all things Bengal, as far as the public knows, or a Bengals scout (if they have any), see that same player and say "That young man is going to look great in our clown suit." I mean, aren't the Bengals a professional football team? Shouldn't they hire badass, eat your children (on the field) type of players? And don't confuse that drafting/signing guys who've run afoul of the law is what I'm talking about. I'm talking about guys who play posssessed between the lines. To me this gets at the underlying reason why the Bengals have not attained consistent success: they're too soft, from the top down. Talent and potential only matter if the will is there to make use of it. It's sports: you either do it or you don't. Tough guys get that; 'capable" guys often don't.
Ask him when did he realize that he had the potential to be a great NFL wide reciever.
Paul,
As fans we are always harping on the lack of front office personnel; do the players notice the front office and do they care. What kind of comments does he hear from former teamates that have gone to other teams. From palyers that come here from other teams. Do the players care about an indoor practice facility.
How much harder is it on the hands to catch a ball when 70* vs 20* outside.
Robert Young
Milford
Ask him who won the locker room halftime fight during the Bengals only playoff game of the past 17 years.
How 'bout: "When a team doesn't perform to the ability of the players is that a reflection on the character of the players, the ability of the coaches, or both?"
I hate to post one of "those" questions, but watching the lackadaisical effort of CJ and Henry had my heart beating in my head! The Bengals are much more talented than the Cardinals.
Paul,
Personlly, there is nothing he could discuss or talk about relative to the Bungals that is of any interest to me. They don't deserve the air time. However, he is of Iranian heritage, correct? I'd like to hear his take on life in that country - the people, the government, the culture, etc, etc. Has he traveled there? Would he like to? The 70's generation has never known a friendly Iran - is there such a thing? Do they all hate us? Thanks!!
Chris
Mason
I'd like to know how he gets his jheri curls so shiny.
Paul,
Some questions
1. What was it like the first time (probably in college) that he was away from his family during Thanksgiving?
2. What fears or uncertainties did he have as a 21-year old going to a city to work and start a career where he did not know a sole?
3. A key to being a successful athlete is to develop good time management skills. For example, an athlete has to manage time for practice, working out, studying, family and friends, community activities, etc. To what does TJ attribute his ability to multi-task effectively?
Good luck?
Dr. Numbers
Peter King named him to his first half all pro team. And I personnally feel he is the Bengals MVP and best receiver.
And yet he gets no recognition, either locally over Chad, or nationally until Peter King's recent pick.
How does he feel about this? does it drive him to do better? or frustrate him to some degree?
Ask him, do the majority of the players come in when it is dark and leave when it is dark? Richard Seymour of the Patriots made this statement when asked how do you become a Champion. It is simple as this, do the players really put in the time at their JOB like they say they are doing to try to be perfect. I will say, no, due to all the simple mistakes they make every week from false starts to dropping balls to tripping over each other to calling timeouts that should not be called, etc...
Diamonds or pearls?
Questions...
Is he a fan of the NFL.com Fantasy Football commercial? (TJ Who's Your Momma. Championship.)
What is his normal workout?
What are his eating habits to keep down his low body fat?
Has he ever tried pickle juice to stay hydrated?
He used to drop a lot of passes in his first couple years. How did he overcome those mistakes?
Has he been offered product endorsements? If so, does the endorsement run through the NFL or is the deal outside of the NFL and without NFL consent?
Would getting the Franchise Tag after next season bother him?
TJ has been considered a #2 receiver with Chad as #1. When the #2 WR leaves via free agency for bigger bucks, their numbers usually drop signicantly. Would TJ leave for more money if the new team was less likely to win a championship versus staying with a team that has a shot at the title? (see Edgerrin James)
With family in Iran, what is his feeling towards Iran and Iran's president?
Would he consider a tv analyst position in the future?
If he wasn't playing football, what would he be doing?
Why #84?
What part of his game has he improved on the most? Strengths? Weaknesses? What needs improvement?
If he was running for president of the United States, what issues would he run on?
The NFL CBA agreement provides at least 65% of team revenues towards players. These revenues do not include parking, luxury boxes, concessions. Does he feel the players should get 65% of TOTAL team revenues versus what they receive now?
TJ once said on the radio show that players would take less money and no signing bonuses if the contracts were guaranteed contracts. If he was in charge, what type of system does he feel makes sense for the owners and the players?
First day draft picks get boatloads of money upfront for potential performance. Is this fair to veterans? Should draft picks be awarded a value like the NBA?
What do you say to critics who claim the only reason why you're getting the touches is because Chad is double covered?
Ask him why the Bengals keep starting Rudi Johnson at RB even though Kenny Watson has played better than him.
Paul - Will this interview be Podcasted? There is no way I'll be able to listen live.
How does it feel to have the 2nd greatest head of hair in Bengals history, second to David Dunn?
is t.j. hurt at all that you wrote a book about his joke of a counterpart, but not him?
How does feel to lose to inferior teams time and time again?
Do you think Chad cares more about his personal stats then actually winning the ballgame?
Are you human? And if so, how do you continue to take some of the hardest football hits I've ever seen. You(TJ) take about 10 bone crunching, concussion inducing hits a year, hits that would sideline most players, and yet, you bounce right back up. Is it a pride thing? The 'don't let them know it hurt' mentality? or is not as bad as it seems? because I know when I see defenders let loose on you, I cringe but I always say "don't worry, it's TJ. He'll get right back up, he's okay." Does having a reputation like that make defenders want to hit you even harder to see if they can shed some blood or maybe even make you blink?
I think you have stated that you would like to be involved in running an NFL franchise when you retire. Will you convince Mike Brown to let you become the GM and remain a player at the same time?
What do you think of Paul's journalistic talents? He writes the truth, don't he?
1. It seems he has a genuine relationship with Chad...given that he rode the ambulance with Chad. Explore that some. What is that relationship like?
2. Ask him about what its like now to have serious money compared to growing up in California without it? Does he have leaches?
3. Ask him "if there is one thing you would change about the offense, what would it be?"
4. Who is your favorite NFL player of all time?
Fluff? Maybe...but you have two hours and its T'Giving!
Not to be sappy, but thanks for all you do Paul. I get enjoyment out of reading your columns and your blog even if you are wrong on so many things!!!! :-)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
TJ is a gamer no doubt, but if the topic of the Bengals even comes up, I'm switching the dial.
Who cares! Nothing is left to say about this franchise.
Let me know the next time Mike, Katy or Troy drop by the studio to chat, Paul.
Have a nice Thanksgiving.
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