T.J. Houshmandzadeh had a “loooooong conversation” with Jermaine Burton last weekend

[Arkansas Bengal]

The rookie wide receiver has had a tumultuous first season, but his mentor had a heart-to-heart with him last weekend.

 

By Anthony Cosenza@CJAnthonyCUI  Nov 7, 2024, 2:56pm EST  

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It was a big day for reunions at Paycor this past Sunday. Former Pro Bowl tight end Tyler Eifert was the Ruler of the Jungle, and, as we mentioned earlier this week, another former Cincinnati Bengals star pass-catcher was in town to watch the beatdown of the Raiders, as well.

 

T.J. Houshmandzadeh was in The Queen City representing Tide and the #TideTackles campaign. We caught up with him this week to not only hear about his weekend experiences, but also to get his thoughts on the Bengals—past and present.

 

Of course, one of the hot topics in the Bengals sphere right now is that of Jermaine Burton. After impressing in the spring and looking like he’d spring right into the WR3 role, he struggled in the summer, and maturity rumors began surfacing.

 

Those rumors heightened the past two weeks and crescendoed last weekend when he was a healthy scratch after supposedly missing the Saturday walkthrough after being heavily implemented in the week’s game plan. Houshmandzadeh has a history with Burton, as a professional mentor and was even the guy to announce his being the team’s third-round pick this year.

 

When we caught up “Housh” recently, we politely asked him if he chatted with Burton this weekend about the situation. And, yes, he definitely did.

 

“I had a loooooong—L-O-O-O-O-O-O-N-G conversation with him,” Houshmandzadeh told us with a smile. “And, so, just hope the words resonate ‘cause I can’t do it for him. I can give him advice, I can talk to him, but ultimately, he has to decide that this is something he wants to do.”

 

There is no doubt that Burton is talented, but some rumblings about his character and his bouncing around to different schools caused him to fall to the third round. Many believed he had first-round talent.

 

“And, if this is something you decide you don’t want to do, you won’t be doing it, and you’ll be doing something else that you don’t want to do,”

 

Houshmandzadeh continued. “So, it’s very simple: I don’t think people realize that playing in the NFL is the best time of your life, and it’s over just like that.”

 

He talked about how the grind of practices and meetings can get to a young player but urged a guy like Burton to push through. He reiterated the rapid nature of an NFL career.

 

“So, again, we had a nice conversation. I hope I helped. I would like to believe I did because of how transparent—no gray area with me, man...so, I hope I was able to help.”

 

It’s believed Burton will have a bigger role on Thursday night versus the Ravens, with Tee Higgins doubtful to play. We’ll see how much the staff trusts him after last week’s shenanigans, but let’s hope Houshmandzadeh’s words resonated.

 

As mentioned before, Houshmandzadeh joined in all of the pregame festivities of the afternoon and not only took in the game but also many pregame activities, like hanging with fans at Bengal Jim and Friends’ famous tailgate.

 

He played cornhole with fans, partook in some Skyline, and then watched the Bengals get their win over the Raiders. In our interview, he mentioned he got some Skyline on his bright white shirt, but his trusty Tide pen took care of things!

 

 

 

 

Our thanks to T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Tide, and the #TideTackles initiative for the opportunity! Tide tackles the toughest stains!

 

https://www.cincyjungle.com/2024/11/7/24290178/t-j-houshmandzadeh-conversation-jermaine-burton-bengals?fbclid=IwY2xjawGZ_tFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHbdy1RPA-PZ6PGCkB2rD54yU_PV9ZF200hcnqiCajL1ak07o5UIS7-yugA_aem_4WExas2PySRNtOe53Z_W7w

[T-Dub]

Housh is a good dude

[Catfish Bob]

What a awesome guy.  

[texbengal]

Guess we'll see, but it seems like TJ and Burton have a relationship that's beyond football... Burton has stated as much. And TJ's blunt approach, if nothing else, kinda laid out what good (or bad) can come from Burton not doing all he can to maximize the opportunity he has in front of him.

 

He wouldn't be the first guy to blow his chance, but I hope he grabs the rope, holds on tight, and achieves great success. No doubt he's got a lot of talent but pro sports (and for that matter, most any field of endeavor) is littered with potential stars whose careers never matched their talent. It's like the old saying, "hard work always beats talent that isn't willing to work hard." Hope he learns that. 
 

[|BlackJesus|]

While I appreciate Hoosh doing his part, I think ultimately Burrow is going to need to be the one to pull Burton aside and tell him to wake the fuck up. It will mean much more coming from the leader of the team. 

 

You already saw the tension last week on the sidelines. Where Burton bowed his head and did as he was told when it looked like Burrow told him to get the fuck off his bench since he wasn't playing. 

[T-Dub]

6 minutes ago, BlackJesus said:

While I appreciate Hoosh doing his part, I think ultimately Burrow is going to need to be the one to pull Burton aside and tell him to wake the fuck up. It will mean much more coming from the leader of the team. 

 

You already saw the tension last week on the sidelines. Where Burton bowed his head and did as he was told when it looked like Burrow told him to get the fuck off his bench since he wasn't playing. 

 

 

Did he really do that?!  That is some ice cold, franchise QB shit.  More of that, please.

[|BlackJesus|]

14 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

Did he really do that?!

 

Here is one angle ... the body language speaks volumes 

 

[T-Dub]

15 minutes ago, BlackJesus said:

 

Here is one angle ... the body language speaks volumes 

 

 

 

 

Daaaamn..  IDK what was said but he definitely got told.  If nothing else comes from this season at least we got this version of Joe.  Never been a fan of the CYA, don't rock the boat, "competitive", "doing your best" everyone gets a cookie vibe coming from this team at times.  Maybe that's all my imagination but either way this is a QB taking ownership and setting a tone & it gives me hope.

[Shebengal]

2 hours ago, T-Dub said:

 

 

 

Daaaamn..  IDK what was said but he definitely got told.  If nothing else comes from this season at least we got this version of Joe.  Never been a fan of the CYA, don't rock the boat, "competitive", "doing your best" everyone gets a cookie vibe coming from this team at times.  Maybe that's all my imagination but either way this is a QB taking ownership and setting a tone & it gives me hope.

Between that and his post game speech, he is expanding his leadership role.

[Kingspoint]

If only, "I stuck my neck out for you, Son.  You need to get your shit together!".

[Jamie_B]

Housh is a real one I hope Burton takes it

[|High School Harry|]

1 catch for 11 yards on 5 targets.

On one incompletion Joe overthrew him farther than I can

remember missing a targeted receiver.  I somehow thing

Slots Burton did not run the route deep enough or screwed

up some other way.

[Dautcom08]

42 minutes ago, High School Harry said:

1 catch for 11 yards on 5 targets.

On one incompletion Joe overthrew him farther than I can

remember missing a targeted receiver.  I somehow thing

Slots Burton did not run the route deep enough or screwed

up some other way.

 

He actually screwed up twice on that play.  He went to line up on the wrong side of the field (both Burrow & Chase had to correct him).  And on a play where he had to motion to the side of the field he went to line up on lol.  Then he ran a half ass speeded route because he was unsure of what he was supposed to be doing resulting in Burrow's overthrow that should have been a TD (my own eye ball test assessment of the result).  Higgins can't get on the field physically and this guy can't get on the field mentally resulting in what seemed like a LOT of 2+ TE sets.

[|High School Harry|]

5 minutes ago, Dautcom08 said:

 

He actually screwed up twice on that play.  He went to line up on the wrong side of the field (both Burrow & Chase had to correct him).  And on a play where he had to motion to the side of the field he went to line up on lol.  Then he ran a half ass speeded route because he was unsure of what he was supposed to be doing resulting in Burrow's overthrow that should have been a TD (my own eye ball test assessment of the result).  Higgins can't get on the field physically and this guy can't get on the field mentally resulting in what seemed like a LOT of 2+ TE sets.

Good eye and good breakdown/analysis

tyvm

[esjbh2]

47 minutes ago, High School Harry said:

1 catch for 11 yards on 5 targets.

On one incompletion Joe overthrew him farther than I can

remember missing a targeted receiver.  I somehow thing

Slots Burton did not run the route deep enough or screwed

up some other way.

Was thinking the same thing on more than one of the throws to Burton.  JB was definitely "ON" last night...but the throws to Burton were noticeably off while he was throwing with accuracy to everyone else...sure seems to point a finger at Burton's routes.  I also don't appreciate when a receiver stops running on an obvious overthrow...keep running dumb ass, it only makes the play and players look worse when you give up on it.

 

[texbengal]

8 minutes ago, esjbh2 said:

Was thinking the same thing on more than one of the throws to Burton.  JB was definitely "ON" last night...but the throws to Burton were noticeably off while he was throwing with accuracy to everyone else...sure seems to point a finger at Burton's routes.  I also don't appreciate when a receiver stops running on an obvious overthrow...keep running dumb ass, it only makes the play and players look worse when you give up on it.

 

Same. The one go ball on 3rd and 2 (I think) looked like if he hadn’t pulled a John Ross and slowed up, I thought he had a chance at catching it. 

[KA14_HOF]

1 hour ago, Dautcom08 said:

 

He actually screwed up twice on that play.  He went to line up on the wrong side of the field (both Burrow & Chase had to correct him).  And on a play where he had to motion to the side of the field he went to line up on lol.  Then he ran a half ass speeded route because he was unsure of what he was supposed to be doing resulting in Burrow's overthrow that should have been a TD (my own eye ball test assessment of the result).  Higgins can't get on the field physically and this guy can't get on the field mentally resulting in what seemed like a LOT of 2+ TE sets.

 

I'm glad to hear you say that. That's exactly what I thought I saw, but couldn't imagine why a guy would be just jogging on a go route. Absolutely unfathomable what is going through this young man's head right now.

 

Couple Burton's issues with Irwin's apparent utter inability to ever get open, I can see Kendric Pryor (and maybe even Cole Burgess) getting some long, hard looks off the Practice Squad.

[Jamie_B]

2 hours ago, High School Harry said:

1 catch for 11 yards on 5 targets.

On one incompletion Joe overthrew him farther than I can

remember missing a targeted receiver.  I somehow thing

Slots Burton did not run the route deep enough or screwed

up some other way.

 

Two thoughts on this.

 

His statline could be indicative of his inability to know the playbook like he should because of his immaturity in how he has handled himself.

 

But also for those that were clamoring for him to get playing time in week freaking two..... maybe the coaches knew more than you did?

[Dautcom08]

6 hours ago, KA14_HOF said:

 

I'm glad to hear you say that. That's exactly what I thought I saw, but couldn't imagine why a guy would be just jogging on a go route. Absolutely unfathomable what is going through this young man's head right now.

 

Couple Burton's issues with Irwin's apparent utter inability to ever get open, I can see Kendric Pryor (and maybe even Cole Burgess) getting some long, hard looks off the Practice Squad.

 

It seems like nothing.  I mean after you get benched, told the f off by your own QB, then have your mentor sit down and dog walk you through where your head needs to be mentally yet still blow the next chance your given it would seem it's never going to click.  Hope to be proven wrong.

 

[dex]

6 hours ago, Jamie_B said:

 

 

 

But also for those that were clamoring for him to get playing time in week freaking two..... maybe the coaches knew more than you did?

You aren't asking us to praise the intelligence of the coaches who signed off on drafting Burton in a premium round of an extremely deep WR draft class, are you?

 

I never expected Burton to play much right away, but then again I never expected Higgins to miss so many game with injuries. I think it's actually pretty reasonable to expect a premium round draft pick to contribute at a position where there are plenty of snaps available due to sustained starter attrition. 

[Jamie_B]

14 minutes ago, dex said:

You aren't asking us to praise the intelligence of the coaches who signed off on drafting Burton in a premium round of an extremely deep WR draft class, are you?

 

I never expected Burton to play much right away, but then again I never expected Higgins to miss so many game with injuries. I think it's actually pretty reasonable to expect a premium round draft pick to contribute at a position where there are plenty of snaps available due to sustained starter attrition. 

 

I'm suggesting that they aren't always wrong on every aspect of everything. They knew he was a risk, they took the chance, it has not worked out so far....so far..

 

But the folks here that wanted him playing by week 2..... kinda wild 

[dex]

20 minutes ago, Jamie_B said:

 

 

 

But the folks here that wanted him playing by week 2..... kinda wild 

Just pointing out that outside WR Higgins was injured in weeks 1-2...a premium round rookie at that particular position who maybe aren't quite ready to play  are often (usually?) asked to contribute in those situations. The fact that 10 games into his rookie season, at a position with so many snaps available due to injury, Burton STILL isn't able to help the team very much is pretty troubling. 

[Jamie_B]

TJ talked about it at the 9 min mark.

 

 

[-GoBengals-]

On 11/8/2024 at 8:38 AM, Dautcom08 said:

 

He actually screwed up twice on that play.  He went to line up on the wrong side of the field (both Burrow & Chase had to correct him).  And on a play where he had to motion to the side of the field he went to line up on lol.  Then he ran a half ass speeded route because he was unsure of what he was supposed to be doing resulting in Burrow's overthrow that should have been a TD (my own eye ball test assessment of the result).  Higgins can't get on the field physically and this guy can't get on the field mentally resulting in what seemed like a LOT of 2+ TE sets.

 

yea this seems right to me as well. he did not have a good time out there.

 

gotta woner when strike 3 is for him ont he season, if it werent for tee being out im not sure he would be getting any chances, i think the raiders gameplan was meant to be a motivator/booster, like ok this dude sucks as the mental side, maybe if we throw him a bone of confidence boost and feature him some he will pop out of his head and be all in, cause the issues seen likely in this game are enough to get you benched, and its your return from BEING BENCHED. 

 

he's gotta be on strike 2.9 right now, right?

[Jamie_B]