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The man of the amazing last name, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, looks like a big hit in Seattle. From signing the domes of Mohawk-ed fans to expectations of him leading a Hasselbeck/Seahawks passing game resurrection, while Housh may not be the biggest free agent signing — Haynesworth? Bart Scott? — he’s not far from the top. Further, he might be asked to do more than the other, “better” free agent players above him. Keep in mind just how visible the wide receiver position is; not to mention how much pub a good passing game, led by Matt Hasselbeck, will draw. Especially when he’s throwing to a player with Houshmandzadeh’s natural, made-for-the-camera personality.

Seattle fans already love him, if the lead image says anything at all.

More Housh love in Seattle after the jump >>

After the signings from the Haynesworth/Bart Scott signings cleared, other players of note decided to wait until after the weekend to sign. The list includes players like T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Derrick Ward, and Brian Dawkins. All of these faces will have new homes when the season starts in September as players pursue their almighty paycheck in these days of bad economies and struggling workforces. Rightfully so. For instance, Brian Dawkins, a name that’s been synonymous with Philadelphia moved to Denver for a one-year contract that pays him as much as he made in Philadelphia over the last two.

Philly fans know this, but they still don’t like that he’s gone. Such is the life of an NFL fan. Business, business, business. Get that money, folks.

More free agent minutiae after the jump >>

T.J. Houshmandzadeh isn’t going anywhere — at least, not until the season is over. So says Marvin Lewis.

“What club in its right mind would trade for a player that’s going to be an unrestricted free agent?” Lewis asked. “If you’re going to start a rumor, make it a good one. Make it something that would make some sense.”

I know what would make sense for the Bengals: resigning their best player to a long-term contract extension but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.

While the Bengals continue to mismanage the career of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the franchise’s center of attention continues to say some of the damnedest things. This time, Ocho Cinco discusses how his performance troubles are related to a monster he has to fight.

The eloquent one elaborates (memo to the Cincinnati Enquirer: do some link rewrite management, OK?):

The philosophy of Ocho Cinco after the jump >>

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.

More Houshmandzadeh mishandling after the jump >>

This makes absolute perfect sense coming from the Cincinnati Bengals: It was recently announced they were the winners of the Cedric Benson sweepstakes.

That’s right, the Bengals just signed Benson. In case you might have missed it, the Bengals have trying to distance themselves from perceived problem children — well, at least Marvin Lewis has — and despite whatever misunderstandings there might have been at the boating incident that got Benson released from the Chicago Bears, he still has an air of misbehaving around him.

But desperate times call for desperate measures and a quick look at the Bengals roster reveals their running back situation is indeed desperate.

The Benson signing comes on the heels of Chris Henry — Marvin Lewis’ favorite player — officially being eligible to play this Sunday against Dallas. Considering the timing, I wouldn’t expect to see Benson take the field against the Cowboys, but like we’ve established, these are desperate times for the Bengals.

Meanwhile, Mike Brown still hasn’t offered an extension to T.J. Houshmandzadeh and it’s doubtful he will, compounding the never-ending brilliance on display from the man in charge of the Bengals franchise.

Alright, the NFL Preview is making its next stop in the AFC North, one of the friendlier divisions when it comes to football. No hatred here among the respective team fans. None whatsoever. What can you expect from the Northern part of the AFC?

More Bengals drama, a further fall of the Baltimore Ravens (seems like it’s been a long time since that Super Bowl), waiting to see if the Browns are for real and oh yeah, another Pittsburgh Steelers division title, taking the franchise up to 19 total.

And with that, we’re off:

Pittsburgh Steelers

Outlook
The sky is blue, the water is wet, the grass is green and the Pittsburgh Steelers will win the division they are in. Some things are like clockwork and the football team from the Steel City is one of them. We could marvel at the 18 division titles or the six conference championships or the five Super Bowl trophies. Yes, we could do all these things but, since we are talking about 2008, what are the Steelers going to do this year?

Looking at this team as a whole — best defense in the NFL last year, stout running game, Super Bowl-winning quarterback, a capable group of receivers — the Steelers have the makings of a team capable of representing the AFC in February’s Super Bowl. Ben Roethlisberger has established himself as one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL after throwing for over 3000 yards and 32 touchdowns. This should only improve as Santonio Holmes becomes more and more of a deep threat, taking pressure off of Hines Ward.

The Steelers running game should be even better when you mix a rookie Rashard Mendenhall in with a Fast Willie Parker and if their defense can improve their pass rush, the Steelers might be the best team in the AFC no one is talking about. While the NFL-watching world focuses on New England, Indianapolis, and San Diego, the Steelers will sit quietly in the background, winning games and division titles, waiting for the playoffs.

With all that in mind, the Steelers could very well be on their way to a 13-3 season, but they seem to lose a game or two you don’t expect.

Put me down for 11-5 and a trip the AFC Conference title.

Hottest Steelers Cheerleader
No such animal anymore ever since the Steelerettes were retired in 1969. Because of that, I have to rely on the blogosphere and lo and behold, it certainly didn’t disappoint:

Go Steelers indeed.

More AFC North after the jump >>

Ever since his Keyshawn Johnson interview, every time Chad Johnson talks to ESPN, it becomes newsworthy. This time, Ocho Cinco is discussing his thoughts about remaining in Cincinnati (not excited), the Marvin Lewis incident (he had to be restrained), where he’d like to end up (a team that can win playoff games and a Super Bowl).

And look, ESPN was kind enough to provide the video:

While the Bengals front-office remains adamant about not trading Johnson (too big of a cap hit), he hasn’t given up on moving on. If he does leave, the Bengals front-office had better get the best defensive player they can. Receivers of his magnitude, excess baggage or not, don’t come around everyday.

Of course, an Ocho Cinco trade would mean one thing for the Bengals offense: Housh… as in T.J. Houshmandzadeh. You certainly don’t lose much, expect maybe the triple-threat of having Johnson, Housh, and Chris Henry on the field at the same time.