If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Being a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals is never an easy proposition. The decade-long struggles, the bad draft picks, the list goes on. Occasionally however, even a moribund franchise like the Bengals can collect just enough talent to be interesting again. Such was the case when Carson Palmer, Chad “Don’t Call Me Ocho” Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh came to town.

These three represented a hope that even a team like the Bengals could be relevant in the NFL again.

An 11-5, division-winning record only increased fan confidence, but since that season, the Bengals have taken a well-documented nose dive culminating with this year’s 0-5 start. Obviously, when a team is playing this poorly, there needs to be overhauls and improvements. One thing you do not want to do is get rid of your best players — especially at the expense of troublemakers and attention seekers.

Welcome to the life of T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

In the past two or three seasons, including the current one, the man they call “Housh” has been the Bengals best player. Last year for instance, Houshmandzadeh was tied with Wes Welker for most catches in the NFL with 112. He also had 12 touchdown catches to lead the team.

Needless to say, a player who is this productive should be a mainstay of any NFL franchise, especially one that is struggling to score points. Furthermore, the fact he doesn’t get into trouble or draw unnecessary attention to himself should make Houshmandzadeh one of the most important players on the team, but what do the Bengals do to reward such performances?

They look to trade the player responsible, evidently.

According to a source, Houshmandzadeh’s name has come up quite frequently during conversation at Niners headquarters in recent weeks. Apparently, 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz is enamored with Houshmandzadeh and may have learned some positive things about the receiver from a member of the Zampese family who Martz remains close to.

The 49ers are looking to upgrade the receiver position opposite veteran Isaac Bruce and are expected to do so by the trading deadline. The acquisition of Houshmandzadeh would provide the team with more firepower in the passing game.

Meanwhile, Chris Henry has been allowed back on the team and Chad Ocho Johnson Cinco continues to be more of a distraction instead of the All-Pro he’s been in seasons past. This is why the Bengals will never turn the corner as a franchise. As long as bad decisions like this rule the roost, how can any team get better? Trading your best player away instead of getting rid of the unnecessary baggage is about as poor of a team management decision you can find.

Is it any wonder such talk is coming out of Cincinnati?

Tags: AFC North, Chad Ocho Cinco, Chris Henry, Cincinnati Bengals, Mike Brown, T.J. Houshmandzadeh

You Might Also Enjoy:
• It’s Fun When ESPN and Ocho Cinco Chat
• Officially Ocho Cinco
• Ocho Cinco Fights The Monster