By Phil Perry
CSNNE.com
According to multiple reports, free agent wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh will visit Foxboro on Monday for a workout with the Patriots.
The Patriots will also work out free agent safeties Darren Sharper and Renaldo Hill, according to SportsXchange.
In 2009 Sharper made nine interceptions and helped lead the Saints to a Super Bowl championship. Last season he played in eight games after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee.
Houshmandzadeh is coming off of a disappointing season with the Ravens in 2010, his tenth season in the NFL, when he caught 30 balls for 398 yards and three touchdowns.
The 33-year-old had his best years in Cincinnati playing alongside new Patriots wideout and former Bengal Chad Ochocinco. Houshmandzadeh's career year came in 2007 when he tied with Wes Welker for the league lead in receptions (112).
He left Cincinnati in 2009 to sign with the Seahawks where he made 79 catches for 911 yards and three touchdowns.
New England Patriots
The connection between Ochocinco and Houshmandzadeh runs deeper than their years together in Cincinnati. The two played together at Oregon State and were drafted by the Bengals in 2001.
It will be interesting to see if the Patriots, who already have wide receiver depth, keep Houshmandzadeh around. It's likely just the Patriots doing their due diligence, but perhaps they're hoping he will bring out the best in Ochocinco. With Houshmandzadeh as a teammate, Ochocinco (who until 2008 was officially known as Chad Johnson) made five Pro Bowls, was named an All-Pro four times, and set several Bengals franchise records.
Ochocinco also made the Pro Bowl in 2009, the year Houshmandzadeh left Cincinnati for Seattle as a free agent.