The Seattle Seahawks, looking for a play-making receiver who can stay healthy, appear to have found the perfect candidate for the job. Reports indicate the attraction is mutual.

The Seahawks reportedly signed the top free-agent receiver on the market in T.J. Houshmandzadeh, outbidding Minnesota and his old team, Cincinnati.

The team has not confirmed the deal, but plans to hold a press conference at 11 a.m. today. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but it is thought that Houshmandzadeh agreed to a five-year, $40 million deal that includes a $15 million signing bonus.

“I just felt it was the best destination, it was the best team, it was the best choice for me,” Houshmandzadeh told ESPN.

Seattle’s proximity to Houshmandzadeh’s home in Los Angeles played a significant role in his decision to sign with Seattle. At 31, Houshmandzadeh has played eight years in the NFL since he left Oregon State. He has been a starter for the Bengals for five years. He has benefited from playing next to talented receiver Chad Johnson in Cincinnati, but Houshmandzadeh isn’t a role player. In the last four seasons, Houshmandzadeh has the most receptions in the league with 372, more than Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald (368) and Carolina’s Steve Smith (351).

And he’s been relatively healthy, missing only five games in the past five seasons.

“Nothing is going to change,” Houshmandzadeh told Bengals.com. “I’m going to line up with either one guy in front of me or two. I’m going to run the route and I’m going to catch the ball. Just like I’ve done and more. I guarantee it.”

Even with franchise quarterback Carson Palmer out most of last season, Houshmandzadeh finished with 92 receptions for 904 yards and four touchdowns. That was down from 112 catches for 1,143 yards and 12 TDs in ’07.

He’s not much of a deep threat and has never relied on pure speed to get open. However, using him in a lineup with burners Deion Branch and Nate Burleson and talented tight end John Carlson could give the Seahawks a formidable receiving unit in 2009.

“I’ve had a lot of coaches that have come through Cincinnati who have told me I’d be a perfect fit in a West Coast offense,” Houshmandzadeh told Bengals.com about joining Seattle’s offensive scheme. “I think I’m a perfect fit in any offense. Now we’ll find out.”

Houshmandzadeh’s arrival likely signals the end of veteran Bobby Engram’s seven-year stay with Seattle. The two receivers do similar things, but Engram is five years older. Engram is an unrestricted free agent.

Seattle’s other free agent signing, defensive tackle Colin Cole, talked with Seattle-area reporters on Monday. Cole signed a five-year, $21.4 million deal on Sunday, and likely will start at defensive tackle for the Seahawks alongside Brandon Mebane, replacing the departed Rocky Bernard.

The 6-foot-1, 330-pound Cole served mostly as a backup for Green Bay, but he thinks he can play at a high level as a starter for the Seahawks.

“They’re going to give me the reins, so to speak, to the position, and just let me have at it,” Cole said about his role on the team. “I feel like I’ll definitely be able to make plays and do what I’m able to do best, and that is to disrupt and make plays.”

Seattle still has some unfinished business to handle in free agency. They would like to bring back fullback Leonard Weaver and offensive tackle Ray Willis, both unrestricted free agents.

The Seahawks had tight end John Owens in for a visit on Monday amid all of the Houshmandzadeh hoopla. The free agent from Detroit could serve as a second tight end should Seattle not re-sign Will Heller.

Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437

blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks

Mr. Consistency

The Seahawks’ new player has been one of the best possession receivers in the league during his eight-year career. Over the past four years, T.J. Houshmandzadeh leads the league in receptions, surpassing the likes of Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald and Carolina’s Steve Smith. Here are the numbers:

T.J. Houshmandzadeh: 372 receptions, 4,084 yards, 32 TDs … Larry

Fitzgerald: 368 receptions, 5,195 yards, 38 TDs … Reggie Wayne: 355 receptions, 5,020 yards, 30 TDs … Torry Holt: 352 receptions, 4,504 yards, 29 TDs … Steve Smith: 351 receptions, 5,152 yards, 33 TDs Housh-man who?

Just how do you wrap your tongue around the Seahawks’ new wide receiver’s intimidating surname?

It is pronounced “hoosh-man-ZAH-deh.”

Wikipedia