T.J. likes Eagles

Philly.com and others are talking about T.J.'s interview with Mike Missanelli on ESPN 950.

"If the Eagles are interested in me, let's put it like this. If they'll be interested in me, I'll be interested in them," T.J. said when asked if the Eagles would be his top choice.

"I think McNabb is a fine quarterback," he said. "He's one of the best quarterbacks in the league, probably, I can't even think of another quarterback that has performed throughout his career the way he has and would be put in a situation like he was put in in Baltimore, but he bounced back very well.

And this, my personal favorite:

During the Eagles' now infamous tie with the Bengals last season, Houshmandzadeh caught 12 balls for 149 yards and a touchdown.

"Did you watch the Eagles and the Bengals game during the season? I was just giving Andy Reid, I was giving him an interview in person," Houshmandzadeh said. "That's all I was doing. I was giving him a three-month interview ahead of time. That's all."

Philly bloggers are talking about T.J. too. the700level.com doesn't appear to be a fan of Houshmandzadeh.

He is a 32-year-old, 6'1" (maybe) possession receiver whose career average YPC is precisely the same as James Thrash's all-time single season low. This is the playmaker the offense has been waiting for?

Ouch.

T.J. appears to want out of Cincinati pretty badly though. He also talked to Tom Waddle and Marc Silverman on WMVP-AM 1000 about playing for the Bears and went so far as to say he likes Rex Grossman too.

Makes you wonder how he'd react if the Bengals give him the franchise tag. (Although the philly.com story does point out that NFL.com's Adam Schefter reported a few weeks ago that the Bengals won't use their franchise tag on T.J. Houshmandzadeh.) Might T.J. pull a Chad from last offseason?

Ocho Cinco happy, feeling good

Quite a difference between Chad of last offseason and Chad this time around so far.

Bengals.com talked to a receiver who's looking forward to voluntary offseason workouts and says the Bengals can get to the Super Bowl in a hurry with a healthy Carson Palmer.

Who is this guy?

For those who thought he'd never in a million years be back with the Bengals next season, though, it would appear to be a stronger possibility, especially with his attitude adjustment.

Plus, if he didn't think he'd be back, why would he be trying so hard to get Houshmandzadeh to return?

He said he needs T.J. "like Hugh Hefner needs playmates."

Bengals' '09 strength of schedule ranks 22nd

The combined winning percentage of the Bengals' 2009 opponents is .465, tied with the Rams for 22nd in the league. ESPN.com's got the chart. You would think that bodes well, but interestingly enough they have the toughest strength of schedule (again, as far as opponents' combined winning percentage) in the AFC North. The Browns' SOS ranks 25th, the Ravens' ranks 28th and the Super Bowl champs' ranks 29th. By the way, the Dolphins appear to have the toughest schedule, with an opponents' combined winning percentage of .594. Followed by Carolina and the Patriots.

The Bengals' 10 2009 opponents (aside from their division rivals twice each) are Denver (at home), Oakland (road), Kansas City (home), San Diego (road), Chicago (home), Green Bay (road), Detroit (home), Minnesota (road), Houston (home) and New York Jets (road).

West makes All-Star team again

Former Xavier star David West will make his second consecutive NBA All-Star Game appearance. Nola.com has a nice story about it. West will be be one of seven reserves for the Western Conference squad.

Marvin: 'Odell is Odell, unfortunately'

The Lot D's C. Trent talked to Marvin Lewis about the 2008 draft and drafts past, and Marvin didn't disappoint with some of his answers. Nor did he hide his true feelings about Odell Thurman. If you wasted time trying to decipher Marvin's vague answers from the weekly press conferences or pulled your hair out because you felt like he never really said anything good, this one helps make up for that.

Xavier, Charlotte will play

From Xavier:

The Xavier vs. Charlotte men's basketball game tonight at 7:30 p.m. will be played as scheduled. Xavier University advises the fans to please use caution and allow extra travel time if they decide venture out for the game. For those without a ticket or who decide not to go out tonight, the game will be seen locally on Fox Sports Ohio.

Charlotte had been stuck but they were able to fly into Dayton last night and will take a bus to Cincinnati, which should be interesting depending on what time they make/made that trip. Hopefully they're not on the road right now.

Coach pleads not guilty in player's death

Louisville's courier-journal.com has a newsy update about the high school football coach charged with reckless homicide in the death of a player.

David Jason Stinson's attorney says the head football coach at Pleasure Ridge Park High School did not deny water to his players on the day 15-year-old Max Gilpin collapsed from heat stroke at practice and later died.

A criminal charge has never before been filed in a heat-related death involving a high school or college coach in the United States.