Houshmandzadeh not flashy but is 'solid as hell'

"He thinks he's the best receiver on this team. I think I'm the best receiver on this team. And it's good for both of us and good for our team."

It has been lately. The former Oregon State stars have been the leading two receivers for Cincinnati in each of the past four years, with Johnson producing 372 catches and 33 touchdowns and Houshmandzadeh 353 receptions and 32 scores.

But let's look at the past two seasons: Houshmandzadeh's numbers have skyrocketed -- 202 receptions and 21 TDs to Chad's 180 catches and 15 scores.

More important, let's look at the big picture. Houshmandzadeh hasn't rocked the boat, while Johnson punched holes in it -- spending most of the offseason telling listeners the Bengals didn’t appreciate him, would demand to be traded and would consider sitting out the season.

Now Johnson's here.

Houshmandzadeh skipped some voluntary workouts to show his displeasure with the club's failure to extend a contract that expires after this season, and I have no problem with that. First of all, the workouts are 'voluntary', which means he doesn't have to attend. Second, he should get a multi-year deal. He's the Bengals' top receiver.

He's also here, and, unlike the injured Johnson, he's practicing. He makes all the catches in workouts, signs autographs afterward and stays away from the drama that is symptomatic of another wide receiver with this team -- even when the subject turns to his uncertain future.

"Will you get what you want?" he's asked.

"I don't know," he said. "To be honest with you, I'd say, 'Probably no.' To be optimistic I would say, 'I don't know.' It doesn't really matter to me. As long as I stay healthy, then I figure everything will take care of itself."

Everything should. But before that happens, the Bengals should take of their top receiver -- and it's not Chad Johnson.