[Blogs] ‘Housh’ Fine With Sharing Ball, Glory

[BR News]

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For years, the problem in Baltimore was figuring out who was going to catch the ball.

Now there seems to be some concern – at least outside of the Ravens’ training facility – that Baltimore may have too many targets.

With the signing of wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the Ravens have three Pro Bowl wide receivers with 15 seasons of more than 1,000 yards receiving between them.

However, the confident-by-nature Houshmandzadeh doesn’t foresee any problems fitting in with Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason.

“As long as you win, it doesn’t matter,” Houshmandzadeh said. “Do I want the ball? Of course, and I’m sure they feel the same way. But if you win games it doesn’t matter who gets the glory and who’s getting the ball because at the end of the day everybody benefits when you win, period. I’m sure each of us will play a part in different games of playing the hero.”

Some of the concern about the wide receivers is that they all fit into the same mold. Each is physical, has good hands, runs good routes and can run after the catch. But none of the three are traditionally known as a down-field burner, such as the injured Donte’ Stallworth.

It’s not surprising that they are similar and effective. The former Seahawk and Bengal said he’s spent time watching tape of Mason and Boldin during offseasons to pick up parts of their game. He didn’t think that will be a problem.

“If one guy is running this route, the next guy will run that route,” Houshmandzadeh said, motioning in opposite directions with his hands. “I feel like I can run every route, and I’m sure ‘Mase’ and ‘Quan’ feel the same way. Just throw the ball and we’ll make a play.”

Ravens Wide Receivers Coach Jim Hostler said Houshmandzadeh plays all three receiving positions and that he will be able to help the team out against the Jets in just six days. The Ravens have alternated which receivers play outside and inside throughout the preseason, so Houshmandzadeh will likely do both.

Now it’s just a matter of how quickly he can catch up. The 10-year veteran had already jumped into his playbook by the time he was introduced to Baltimore’s media at 2 p.m. and had plans to do so again immediately after the press conference.

Houshmandzadeh played in a similar system to the Ravens’ when he was in Cincinnati, which should help level off the learning curve. He said it’s not “overly complicated,” but that looking at the playbook and executing it during a game is a “whole different dynamic.”

“It’s going to take some time,” Houshmandzadeh said. “Hopefully I won’t have to be in the huddle asking Flacco, ‘What do I got to do?’ I’ve just got to get on it and study. I think I’m a quick learner; I think I pick things up rather quick and I’m just going to try not to be a hindrance.”

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2010/09/07/housh-fine-with-sharing-ball-glory/]View the full article[/url]

[Runt]

Just catch and score big fella...Catch and score!

[charris3rd]

Outta those three somebody is going to be open on every pass play all Joe has to do is have time to find them and get the ball out quick.

[Runt]

Don't forget about Ray Rice's ability to catch out of the back field and Heaps ability to catch when he is in.

[Runt]

Imagine us running the Wild Cat offense.

[Steve H]

He is a professional that knows that he may get the ball one time or he may get the ball ten times. It is all about the W at the end of the game. This is the one thing the Ravens will not tolerate from their players. Steve, Ozzie, and Harbs could never tolerate Ochocinco Johnson or whatever his name is.One player that believes they are the only person that can win a game. TJ is perfect for the Ravens. He carries a certain swagger in his abilities. He is here to win a Super Bowl PERIOD!!!Good Luck TJ

[The Mom Gene]

It's OK... just throw a couple 30 yarders... not the 50 or 60 that you would get with Donte'... We'll get those when he gets back... But you get a couple of good WR's out there at one time??? Revis won't know which way to go... He can't cover them all, now can he!

[The Mom Gene]

Boldin, Houshmandzadeh, Mason, Heap, Rice,... and I do believe I've seen McClain and Magahee catch a few too... That with a VERY solid Running Game of the 3 aforementioned... and We're OK...

[RayvenRay]

It's a very sweet thought: Housh, Mase & Quan running routes, Heap over the middle and Rice being the check down. Joe should have a very good year if he scans the field and gets rid of the ball quickly.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

have nothing against Q having one TD, then Mase a second and TJ one to finish the job Monday; with three more good runs from Rice to help Cundiff score 3 too; a score of 30 against the Jets will do

[The King]

Like Harbaugh said, if someone's running deep, they have to cover that guy. Send guys out there with good hands and route running like Boldin, Mason, and Housh, and when one guys down the sideline, they can't just leave him wide open. That will open up the game underneath.

[Danwhitmer]

Alot of people are sleepin on the 2 young TE's we got in the draft. Both are fast and have great hands. Don't forget, we drafted them to be the deep threat before we signed stallworth! I have been telling all my friends, Flacco 4500 yrds and 30+ tds! Rice 1500 plus on the ground and another 500 through the air! Hard to tell TD's with McGahee here.

[The Mom Gene]

Believe me... I LOVE PITTA... Great Hands!.... We're sleepin on those guys cause we don't want anyone to know we gottem!... LOL.... No really, I think it's understood Danwhitmer... Maybe we just don't want to get OVERLY confident!... ;)

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='Danwhitmer' timestamp='1283894150' post='468539']
Alot of people are sleepin on the 2 young TE's we got in the draft. Both are fast and have great hands. Don't forget, we drafted them to be the deep threat before we signed stallworth! I have been telling all my friends, Flacco 4500 yrds and 30+ tds! Rice 1500 plus on the ground and another 500 through the air! Hard to tell TD's with McGahee here.
[/quote]

Yeah at least last season if Rice got close without getting in McGahee or McClain pounded it in. Would like to see that happen on Monday, along with the aforementioned TDs in the air. Ah it is a sweet dream! But I'll be happy with a win no matter what the score!

[Texas Raven Fan]

Whooo, Rice is gonna have so many openings to run through with this receiver core we might not even have to throw it.

[NYravens52]

@Danwhitmer ravens signed stallworth before the draft.....

[jhonnyboy]

mason, boldin, heap and housh want to win a superbowl before they retire. there will be no whining from these guys.

[stixfix69]

After watching the vid on his intro interview, i understand TJ alot more than i did prior....He makes no excuses or apologies for his passion for the game.....I can live with someone being this passionate, Ray just needs to keep him in check, if it gets a little excessive is all.....

[Barry S]

I hope our third year quarterback Joe Flacco rises to the challenge. Because one things for sure, with this receiving core he shouldn't complain about no one being open. Plenty of targets to choose from. Go Ravens!!!!!!!!

[Ravens in The Dena]

Seriously.. fellow Ravens Fans how lucky are we.....

[XxSizzleXx]

Thin WR corps since day 1, and all of a sudden we are spoiled with one of the best groups in the league. All that is left now is to execute.

[Free Agent]

"The Ravens have three Pro Bowl wide receivers with 15 seasons of more than 1,000 yards receiving between them." Amazing! This is going to be good year, guys!

[CapoRocky]

When we torch the Jets 42 to 21, then it won't really matter that our secondary gives up alot of yards. I see 70+ receptions and around a dozen TDs this year for TJ. Of course, we will want to keep him around for a few more years after we win the Super Bowl.

[BoldinFan81]

We are the luckiest team in the NFL right now with this WR corps.

[Steve H]

To all of the Jets fans and Rex I hope you do not take this Butt Kicking personal. It is simply all about business.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Runt' timestamp='1283893290' post='468524']
Imagine us running the Wild Cat offense.
[/quote]
Good one.....

[kadbron27]

i wont mind 10 screen passes to rice when the D is so stretched out covering our WR's...leaving miles of green pastures open for Rice to carve the field wide open. lol

[touchdownwins]

Guess we'll have to get more 1st downs, more plays, n more points to keep everybody happy.We should try the no huddle, run n shoot offense,see if we can speed the game up.Get on top quick n let our defense take over..

[alaskadog]

what is sweet is...with all these big name receivers outside Ray Rice will be all but invisible.

[poedacrow]

alaska dog...don't forget Heap...And Dickson/Pitta and McGahee. Sheesh! what's a Def coordinator to do?