Raiders’ new quarterback Carson Palmer will be joined in Oakland by one of his favorite targets of seasons past. The Raiders worked out his offseason practice partner TJ Houshmandzadeh and wasted no time in signing him.
Houshmandzadeh was a Pro Bowler in 2007 when he caught 1143 yards in passes from Palmer. He also had over 900 yards receiving five straight seasons from 2004 to 2008. He was not re-signed by the Bengals after the 2008 season despite catching 92 passes for 904 yards that season. The Seahawks signed him that offseason and he put up similar numbers in his one season there.
Last season he played for the Ravens and his production was the worst it had been since his rookie season in 2001. He started just two games in Baltimore and caught 30 passes for 398 yards.
He returns to catch passes from the man who threw him over 500 passes in his career. Palmer has spent the past two weeks acclimating to his new teammates and having a very familiar face among the receivers will certainly help that transition.
The move gives the Raiders seven receivers on the team. The Raiders have yet to announce who will be cut to make room for Houshmandzadeh. Derek Hagan is the low man on the wide receiver totem pole but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will be out. The team could very well opt to keep seven receivers especially since two of them return kicks.
UPDATE: The Raiders have released WR Derek Hagan to make room for Houshmandzadeh on the roster.
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