RENTON – A day after he expressed his displeasure with the Seattle Seahawks looking to move him in a trade, T.J. Houshmandzadeh apparently will be shown the door by the Seahawks.
According to a report on the league’s website, the Seahawks have told Houshmandzadeh that he will either be traded or released today.
The Seahawks must trim down from 75 players to their final, 53-man roster by 3 p.m. today, and Houshmandzadeh likely will be the biggest name cut from that list.
After joining the Seahawks prior to last season, it seemed unthinkable that the 32-year-old receiver would not be with the Seahawks this season.
However, with new head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider revamping the roster, and the surprisingly good play of Mike Williams, Deon Butler and Golden Tate, the Seahawks feel comfortable enough about the wide receivers that they are willing to take a $7 million hit in letting Houshmandzadeh go.
Houshmandzadeh’s salary is guaranteed whether he plays a down for Seattle or not.
Further, Houshmandzadeh has a clause written into his contract that requires the Seahawks pay his remaining salary should he sign with another team.
For example, if Houshmandzadeh was to sign, a one-year, veteran minimum deal of $850,000 with Minnesota, the Seahawks would have to pay the other $6.15 million.
With Houshmandzadeh not on the roster, Williams becomes a starting receiver along with veteran Deion Branch.
According to the website report, Washington, Minnesota and Oakland are possible landing spots for Houshmandzadeh.
Also, count his former team in Cincinnati as a potential destination.
Former Bengals teammate Chad Ochocinco said via Twitter that he would welcome back Houshmandzadeh with open arms.
“My success over my career has been enabled because of the play of Housh on the opposite side of me and id be happy to have him back,” Ochocinco tweeted.
REED RELEASED
The Seahawks have reportedly reached an injury settlement with defensive end Nick Reed, and he will be released from the team today.
The University of Oregon product was a seventh round selection last year, and used an impressive exhibition season to make the team as a rookie in 2009.
Reed was used as mostly a pass-rush specialist last season, finishing with 17 tackles and a sack.
However, Reed had arthroscopic knee surgery the week of Seattle’s third exhibition season game against Minnesota on Aug. 28, and did not play in the final two exhibition games.
Carroll described the surgery as a clean-up that Reed had resisted, but ultimately something that needed to be done to get him ready for the regular season.
But now it appears Reed won’t be around this season for Seattle.
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437 eric.williams@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
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