"Many things appealed to T.J. Houshmandzadeh about the Vikings as they courted the free-agent wide receiver last winter.

Houshmandzadeh loved the Vikings' top-notch ground game that featured Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson and a solid offensive line that would open up things for the pass. He felt extremely comfortable with Vikings coach Brad Childress and wide receivers coach George Stewart. Heck, Houshmandzadeh even thought owner Zygi Wilf was "super cool."

But one thing bugged the veteran. "When it came down to it, I felt like the quarterback situation -- which kind of makes a receiver go -- it was a better situation here so I did what any receiver would do," Houshmandzadeh said.

Here is Seattle, the place from where Houshmandzadeh was speaking Wednesday, and what he did was bolt the Twin Cities after a two-day visit with the Vikings last March in order to sign a $40 million, five-year contract with the Seahawks that included $15 million in guarantees. (The Vikings made a similar offer.)

Houshmandzadeh, 32, will return to town Sunday to get a glimpse of what might have been as the Vikings play host to the Seahawks. What Houshmand- zadeh will see is an 8-1 Vikings team that is led by Brett Favre -- the quarterback signed nearly six months after Houshmandzadeh's decision -- and a wide receiver corps that includes NFL offensive rookie of the year candidate Percy Harvin. Houshmandzadeh, meanwhile, is part of the 3-6 Seahawks.

"The situation [with the Vikings] at the time wasn't what it is now," Houshmandzadeh said to Seattle reporters when asked if he had any regrets. "So you make the best decision at that time that you think is right. As of right now, it doesn't look like it was the best decision, but it's very early in the process. I feel like I can play a lot more years. I feel great, and so you can't just say one year, 'Oh, it was a bad decision.'""