T.J. Houshmandzadeh, at the request of the child’s father, spoke with an LSU freshman wide receiver and advised him not to be outworked.
Houshmandzadeh is urging Ja’Marr Chase to break his single-season Bengals record of 112 catches five years later. Chase lit up when told following Thursday’s practice that he has 86 points with five games remaining.
“I’ve got it. Don’t be concerned. I’ve got it. We’re OK. “I’m aiming for 117,” Chase explained. “Let’s do it. Break it. I’ve written it down (as a goal). I don’t want to be anywhere near what he has. I want it to be more difficult for someone else. That’s all there is to it.”
Chase is seventh in the NFL in catches and fifth in yards heading into Sunday’s Paycor Stadium game against the Colts (1 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel 12). This puts him on track for 122 catches and 1,505 yards, shattering his own Bengals yardage record and becoming the first player in club history to do it.
“Tell him to (bleep) that.” That’s why it’s there,” Houshmandzadeh said Thursday from Orange County, Calif., where he lives, amazed the record had been in place since 2007.
“With 17 games, it’s bound to be broken sooner rather than later,” Houshmandzadeh said. “He’ll be with the Bengals for ten years.” He’ll do it soon if he doesn’t accomplish it this year.”
Karrington Houshmandzadeh, Houshmandzadeh’s daughter, was in Chase’s class at LSU, and he was on campus frequently to attend some of her softball practices and games. When he ran into Jimmy Chase, his father instructed Houshmandzadeh to speak with Ja’Marr. Houshmandzadeh remembers the 15-minute chat (“The fundamentals. You are aware. Having all of the skill isn’t enough; all that matters is hard effort”).
Later in his Bengal career, Ja’Marr Chase recalls meeting Houshmandzadeh with his daughter and recognizing Karrington from the LSU cafeteria.
“‘What the heck?’ I exclaimed.” “That was hilarious,” Chase said.
The only century seasons in Bengals history are those of Houshmandzadeh and Carl Pickens (both with 100 in 1996). Houshmandzadeh was the only 30-year-old in the top 26 seasons. And if Carson Palmer had been healthy, he would have done it again at 31 in his final season as a Bengal.
During the 2008 season, he had 92 catches in 14 games, with most of his passes coming from Ryan Fitzpatrick because Palmer only played four games. That’s why he’s ecstatic with backup quarterback Jake Browning’s 354-yard performance in a 34-31 overtime triumph on Monday night. and his coaches should get a pat on the back,” Houshmandzadeh added. “Do you realize how difficult it is to keep guys motivated when a guy like Joe (Burrow) is injured?” We said we’d be competitive after Carson went hurt, but we didn’t think we could win. It’s difficult to fight. But they’re doing it anyway.”
Was he there on Monday? Is there a bear in the woods? Houshmandzadeh was on the verge of asking.
“When a guy like Joe, or any good player, gets hurt, your remaining good players have to step up.” That’s exactly what he did,” Houshmandzadeh explained. “He stepped up because they required it.” They required him to play extensively. That’s what great people do.”
Or, as Chase put it,
Only Houshmandzadeh and Carl Pickens have had century seasons in Bengals history (both with 100 in 1996). In the top 26 seasons, Houshmandzadeh was the only 30-year-old. And if Carson Palmer had been healthy, he may have done it again in his final season as a Bengal at the age of 31.
He has 92 catches in 14 games in 2008, with most of his passes coming from Ryan Fitzpatrick because Palmer only played four games. That’s why he’s overjoyed with backup quarterback Jake Browning’s 354-yard performance in Monday night’s 34-31 overtime victory.
“I’m not going to lie,” says Houshmandzadeh. He appeared to make a play whenever the game was close. And you’d say, ‘That’s a fantastic catch…’ No, this one is superior.”
Chase appears to be certain that he will apprehend Houshmandzadeh. 100? That is a target. He says it’s simple. Houshmandzadeh supports the LSU freshman.
“Tell him to go break it,” replied Houshmandzadeh. “That’s what sports is for.”
CHASE LEADING CHASE: Chase has sounded more forceful recently. At the age of 23, in his third season, he looks around and realizes he’s needed as a leader more than ever. Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard were his defensive bookends.
“I’ve been more talkative than I’ve ever been,” Chase told reporters. “I spoke with Sam and Trey. Apart from Burrow, those are the two leaders I see. Those are the questions I’m posing. I’m still rather young. I feel as if I should be where we are. Joe isn’t on the offensive side to be as outspoken as he is. That’s not what I do. I simply set a good example and play my game. (However,) I was speaking up a little more in the huddle.”
This is a prudent vet move.
