Why Signing Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, or Terrell Owens Would Make Sense For the Bengals

July 28 2012; Davie, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chad Johnson (85) runs during practice drills at the Dolphins training facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

With the news coming out of Bengals camp today that Mohamed Sanu suffered a stress fracture in his foot during practice yesterday and will probably miss the rest of the year, the Bengals will go into this Sunday’s game without a number two wide receiver. While it would be great if ex-Bearcat Armon Binns stepped up, I look at him (and Andrew Hawkins for that matter) as a fantastic number three. They just don’t make the big catches that you need a guy in that position to make. Maybe Hawkins occasionally, but Binns? Never. And I am a pretty big Binns supporter.

While some of you may be saying ‘neither does Sanu,’ you are right, until the last couple weeks. And while nothing can be done to get another wide receiver in before this weekend, there are a couple solutions to fix this problem for the rest of the season. Their names are Chad Johnson, Terrell Owens, and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Now, before you demand my head for investigation, let me explain. All three could be had for cheap, and while none are what they were once, each is better than Binns as the second starter.

While all come with their faults, namely age, personality and lack of productivity over recent seasons, it would take little more than the veterans minimum to sign any of them. All three are hungry, with each remarking in recent interviews at their desire for another shot. While no one should expect the Housh, Chad or T.O. of 2009 to walk off the street, there is plenty of regular season left to work them in slowly. This young Bengals team will scare some people in the playoffs, and just as we signed Chris Crocker when our secondary showed weaknesses, so too should we shore up our wide receiver rankings with a shot of past glory.

The simple fact is, in the playoffs, teams will be able to double team Green unto the ground. We need someone to take a little pressure off of him. With Sanu out, signing a guy like Housh, T.O. or Chad could be the solution we are looking for.