Andre Johnson Appreciation Thread

For several reasons... it conveniently ignores that the Texans fell behind 24-0 in the 1Q; that the defense let TY Hilton burn them a second time deep downfield for the eventual game-winner; that the defense also let Luck convert a huge third down after the fumble to extend a crucial drive; that Fitzpatrick fumbled on the ensuing "potential game winning drive;" and, oh yeah - even if AJ doesn't fumble, the Texans are still 40 yards away from scoring which not only is far from anything close to a sure thing but then almost certainly hands the ball back to Luck , who had thrown for 370 yards and pretty much scored at will before the took their foot off the gas.

But, sure - AJ cost them the game...

 

PFT nails it.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...hnsons-agent-says-he-never-asked-for-a-trade/


Andre Johnson’s agent says he never asked for a trade

Posted by Darin Gantt on March 3, 2015, 1:47 PM EST
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The sad reality for many Texans fans is that the best player in franchise history is leaving, and as is so often the case, not necessarily on good terms.

Which means now’s the time for the writing of the history, and Andre Johnson’s agent made it clear none of this was really Johnson’s idea.

Agent Kennard McGuire told Sports Radio 610 in Houston that the idea of a trade was broached by the Texans, only after the team told the veteran wide receiver they wanted him to take a reduced role (which normally comes with a reduced rate of compensation).

“Andre did not, in the last couple of days, go in and ask for a trade,” McGuire said. “Certain things were expressed to [Andre] in which he didn’t agree with. And at that point in time permission was thusly granted to seek an opportunity elsewhere. That was not something that we asked for. That was something that was presented to us.

“The contractual matters never did come up. The only thing that was discussed was the role and that was in fact that there would be a reduced role.”

While it’s extremely unlikely that anyone would trade anything for Johnson and jump on the hook for his $10.5 million in salary this year, there will certainly be a market for him once he’s cut.

And it’s a terrible look for the Texans, who effectively asked Johnson to take a pay cut, even if those words never came out of their mouths.

While he might not be the same dominant receiver he once was, the idea that he can’t play a significant role doesn’t square with what he’s shown in recent years, especially considering the less-than-ideal quarterback situations he’s been in.

 

It's a team game, but if Andre doesn't fumble, the Texans win. Simple as that. Andre of last season was nowhere near the Andre that we were used to. He couldn't consistently get separation even when in single coverage and he wasn't as reliable as he once was. That's my point. There's a reason why even if he changed his contract to stay with the team that he wasn't going to be an everyday starter anymore.

 

http://www.battleredblog.com/2015/3/3/8142649/andre-johnsons-agent-shares-details-in-interview


Tuesday, March 3, 2015 • 11:32 AM
Andre Johnson's Agent Shares Details in Interview
Battle Red Blog, a Houston Texans community by Capt Ron


On Tuesday, Johnson’s agent Kennard McGuire joined a local talk show on SportsRadio 610 to talk about the situation Andre was put in.

Last night the news broke that Andre Johnson was given permission to seek a trade with another NFL team. The end of an era is upon us, and the details of what led to this situation are now unfolding across various media sources.

This morning CBS SportsRadio610 interviewed Andre Johnson's agent Kennard McGuire. Here is the published article and transcript of the interview:

"Andre did not, in the last couple of days, go in and ask for a trade," McGuire said. "Certain things were expressed to [Andre] in which he didn’t agree with. And at that point in time permission was thusly granted to seek an opportunity elsewhere. That was not something that we asked for. That was something that was presented to us."

"The contractual matters never did come up," McGuire told Wright and Lopez about conversations Johnson had with Texans Head Coach Bill O’Brien. "The only thing that was discussed was the roll and that was in fact that there would be a reduced role."

Before the 2014 season Johnson held out for a little while, but returned to the team during training camp. Part of the reason for the hold out, according to McGuire was to get reassurances that Johnson would be back in 2015.

"What we were looking to do last year was have an element of assurance that we wouldn’t be in this position this year," McGuire said. "That was not asking for any more dollars. Basically what we wanted was the security in knowing that [Johnson] would be playing for the Texans in ’15."

Multiple outlets reported last year that Johnson would be back in 2015, as well as Texans Owner Bob McNair saying he wanted Johnson to be "a Texan for life."

"There were several conversation that took place and he did get that information that ‘you’re fine, don’t worry about that,'" Johnson’s Agent said about last year. "We understand that this is the reality of our business and as Andre and I have always talked, I believe in life that you exit the same way you entered. So, if you entered in a classy way you’re going to exit in the same way as well."

Johnson has stated that he was told he would not be a starter and McGuire believes that the reduction in role was a way for the Texans to, in a round about way, ask for a pay-cut.

Johnson can either find a trade now or wait to be cut and then sign with any team. McGuire believes there is a market for the wide receiver.

"[The Texans] just granted permission. We’re on the ground running now," McGuire said. "I believe there will be a market for him."

The business side of the NFL can be ugly. We know great players often end their careers on a different NFL team than where they built their legend; guys like: Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Tony Gonzales, and Marcus Allen to name a few, but it doesn't take the sting out of watching it unfold for Andre Johnson here in Houston.

Share your thoughts on what Andre's agent said as we continue to follow this story.

 

I think that article by MeMongo kind of shows what I thought was going on all along. He held out last year over money because he knew he was going to get cut after the season was over and he was mad about it. He was given assurances that he'd have a chance to stay with the team and when that conversation happened, BOB told him that he'd be put in a reduced role and wouldn't be a full time starter anymore and he got upset by it and the team basically told him if he had a problem with it he could find a trade and leave.

I don't think they did him wrong, and honestly I applaud the FO and BOB for doing the right thing for the franchise even though they were sure to get bashed for it. The Pats had a similar problem with an aging WR in Randy Moss and handled it the exact same way.

 

Why would Andre not be an every down starter? I like Hopkins but he's not a true #1 IMO. He's better suited to be a #2 WR.

 

He was a 4.4 flat guy that was also Big East 60 meter dash champion and 100 meter big east winner. I would say that you could easily consider him a burner

 

Well in theory it's because the team planned on bringing in another WR in FA or in the draft. Nuk already is the team's #1 WR and that was obvious last season. They probably just want a different type of WR for their #2 guy than an aging possession receiver. Maybe they want to bring in a burner, a huge TE like Julius Thomas, a quick small guy in the Welker mold. Who knows? Point is that it's pretty clear that BOB didn't have Andre as a major part of the offense anymore and it's anyone's guess as to why that is.

 

Fairly easy guess, wants to spend money elsewhere (value) and win. Since day one the only thing BO'B has cared about it winning and this decision is no different. 'Dre doesn't want a paycut/reduced role then team has to move on.

Good luck to 'Dre.

 

This, I agree with 100%...

This, otoh, is patently ridiculous and you know it. I know you know it. So stop. You're infinitely smarter than this.

 

I got two games mixed up, the Texans were down a TD rather than just one or two so it wasn't a guaranteed win if Andre doesn't fumble, but it did really hurt the team's chances of winning.

 

He's obviously fast; but he was never the fastest guy on the field - at least, we never saw ample evidence of it. He never blew by cornerbacks, never outran defenses... I invite anyone to throw together a montage of all the 8-yard slants he took to the house...

 

He hit 4.37 at the combine.

 

Yeah, so did falling behind 24-0; not being able to stop TY Hilton, Fitzpatrick fumbling.........

 

Sure but without that fumble by Dre in Colts territory the team still has a chance to overcome falling behind 24-0, to overcome TY Hilton's huge game, and Fitz is never in a position where he gets blindsided due to the O line not blocking for him and fumbling. The Dre fumble in Colts territory really was what turned that from a comeback into a near comeback.

 

It's going to be interesting to see where AJ ends up. Wish him the best. It was fun having him especially considering he was the lone bright spot in this organization for years.

 

It's pretty obvious his cap hit is too high. The reduced role thing was just a round about way of asking for pay cut.

 

Because Moss, Dez, and Megatron do, right?

Stop being silly


Dre was misused for years though.

 

Heck, why not Denver?

 

I don't think that was asking him to take a cut, I think it was pretty obviously telling him what he'd be taking a cut for if he chose to do that. It went without saying that he either took a cut or was cut. The team was planning on bringing in another WR and moving Dre to a lesser role no matter what he did.