Ward, Houshmandzadeh updates
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Ward, Houshmandzadeh updates
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The insanity that comes with following NFL free agency in an online world has continued.
Just a couple hours ago, we posted about Giants running back Derrick Ward and Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
And already, there have been developments on both fronts.
Let's start with Ward. In the earlier entry, we cited reports from NationalFootballPost.com and The Denver Post, saying Ward had visited with the Eagles. However, Mike Florio of profootballtalk.com reports that Ward has not been in Philadelphia. Once we have a confirmation or denial from the folks at The Inquirer or Daily News, we'll let you know what the deal is.
Mike Garafolo of The Newark Star-Ledger says Ward was looking for a multi-year deal worth $3 million per season to stay with the Giants, but New York turned him down. The PewterReport.com and profootballtalk.com both report that Ward's next stop will be Tampa to visit with the Bucs.
And now on to Houshmandzadeh. The Vikings are apparently pulling out all the stops to land the Bengals wide receiver. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that Houshmandzadeh is currently in Minnesota and his agent is actively working on a contract with the Vikings. Per the article, the Eagles are out of the running, the Seahawks are a long-shot, and it will likely come down to the Vikings or the Bengals.
Two quick notes:
1. I have written "Houshmandzadeh" so much at this point that spelling it without looking it up is a breeze. How many other people in the country can say that?
2. Thanks to reader Anthony for pointing out the conflicting Ward reports. Continue to e-mail me if you see something the group would be interested in.
More updates are sure to follow later tonight so keep checking back.
UPDATE: At 7:15 p.m., ESPN's John Clayton confirmed that Houshmandzadeh is deciding between the Seahawks, Vikings and Bengals. According to Clayton, he's still expected to make a decision Sunday night.
UPDATE TWO: Houshmandzadeh's decision will not come Sunday, according to The Star-Tribune. Per the blog post, Houshmandzadeh is spending the night in Minnesota and contemplating offers from the Vikings, Bengals and Seahawks.
Click here for my next post on safety Jim Leonhard.
Eagles out of the running... there's a surprise. So what exactly are planning on doing with the 40 million that we are under the cap?— fcskills- Housh is too old...Ward is not as good as Wells or Moreno, who the Eagles can draft with a late 1st round pick and get a better value.— Lehigh Philly
Comment removed.- Lehigh, you basing that on their great track record of success in drafting wide receivers?— willy33
- 40 mil unspent, havent had a first round draft pick in the last two years...dont need a FB, dont need a kick returner..Andy is so much smarter then the entire sport and his superbowls wins prove it time for change— 32pitch
- with all that money, maybe the owners will lower the ticket price (they'll need to bribe the fans to watch a heartless team!)— kimeh1971
- Amen, 32pitch. I couldn't have said it better.— derrickwh
- They suck. Go Phillies!!!— Big Ragu
- Comment removed.
- By the looks of it WE Are never going to get a ring!! all were going to get is another depressing season. :( No help for McNabb, B-Dawk is gone and still have No receivers WHO CAN CATCH.— tonygreeneagle5
- I was on the fence with Reid for the last 9 seasons (minus the T.O. year) but now I have LEAPED to the side that says he needs to go. The arrogance, ignorance and overall stubborness is making this team what it is: average at best with really great moments to push them farther than people expect. How is it that most of us CALLED the fact that nothing was going to happen except players leaving. Hey, at least we can say wwe lead the league in dropped passes AND dropped players, huh Joe Banner?????— elektrika
- Im baffled by the decisions or lack there of. First we were in the running for TJ and now we are not even an option! WTF? I have been an Eagles fan since 1980 ( I live in Maryland now and talk trash to all the Skins, Cowboys, and Giant fans) I think this may be the beginning of a very dismal year. I cannot believe they are so (expletive) cheap.— komplex2005
- I've never had a problem with the Eagles letting guys like Dawkins and Trotter go. The problem is that they don't replace them. They just put the backup in which is rediculous.— bobbyd24
It is 2 months to the DRAFT and that means 2 months to a new wide receiver, running back and offensive tackle...do not let your hearts be troubled...johnnyu, GO 'BIRDS;mak us PROUD...- J. Giggles Lurie is a joke. We should have tried for Houshmandzadeh. How great would that have been - Houshmandzadeh, Curtis and Jackson. Ah, greed is good.— MaddenFL
Follow
Sheil on Twitter. And become
a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for even more Birds
coverage, including app-exclusive videos and analysis. Download it here.
