ChronicleTexans Coach Gary Kubiak says LB Brian Cushing "out for awhile" with sprained left knee. Does "a while" mean preseason or longer??? Has anyone heard?
Recap... (Rome giving props, talking about how underrated AJ is) JR: Is it playoffs or bust? AJ: We talked about it too much last year. We have to go out and earn it, and just play on Sunday than sit around and talk about playoffs. JR: Feel like you have a better chance this year? AJ: It feels different. Since Kub has been here, we've been better every year. Different attitude after last year. JR: Go as Schaub goes? AJ: Big thing for us. We're all healthy this year. I'm wondering what we'll be like if we're healthy for 16 games. Sky is the limit. If not, some guys have to step up. JR: Is it a crapshoot with injuries, or is there a strategy to stay healthy? AJ: No strategy. Never know what's gonna happen. Unexpected injuries happen. JR: You are always fighting for publicity as best WR in game, do you have a problem with that? AJ: No. I don't care. That's not why I play the game. I Don't play for the attention. I just wanna win a Super Bowl. I want to bring this franchise its first SB. JR: I believe you when you say that. Is it in your mind that you might have to leave to get it? AJ: never thought about it. never know what can happen. i just go day by day, season by season. Want to remain here for my whole career. JR: Yeah, the last thing you want to do is leave the house you built at the wrong time... AJ: That would be a bad feeling. Would hate to leave as soon as we get to that point. JR: What was in like on the '01 Miami team with all the personality? What was that locker room like? AJ: Lot of different guys, but on the field we were all one. One team, one heartbeat. One goal. We went out and won the championship. JR: (talking about his reputation among fans) AJ: Its crazy, I had a kid drive 600 miles to watch me at camp. He knew everything about me. You never know who's watching you...be careful about what you do. JR: Talk about the adjustments that go on with more attention from defenses. Is it a challenge? AJ: Have to stay on top of your game. Great communication with QB and coordinator, so you can move around and find spots in the defense. JR: (Talking about Diva receivers- twitter, etc.) You aren't like that, some guys are, you don't fit in that category. Why do some guys need that? AJ: Everyone is different. Carry themselves in different ways. I get a kick out of it- go home and watch ESPN and the crazy TD celebrations. It's entertaining. That's not my type of person though. JR: Those guys have 'swagger', but you don't lack confidence. How do you characterize yourself? AJ: I have a diff swagger. Those guys odn't care what people think. I don't worry about it either, I'm just not as flashy...more laid back.
If you can't get enough of Andre Johnson check out NFL Total Access tonight. They will air a piece where a crew from NFL Network followed him around for 24 hours.
The Texans will go 10-6 and make the playoffs for the first time. That's my prediction and I am staying with it. Obviously, injuries could make that unlikely, but other teams' injuries could open the door for even greater success. I think this is the year.
Well, I don't know how often you are going to see that. Are they the only 11 win team in history not to get in? I think this year in the AFC, with the exception of the Steelers, all of the playoff teams will be jumbled together with 10 or 11 wins. Lots of tiebreakers between the Colts, Titans, Dolphins, Pats, Ravens, and hopefully Texans. Jaguars and Bills could be deep sleepers. But assuming the Steelers run away with the North and with one team from the AFC West making it, that leaves four more spots for those six teams. Colts, Titans, and Pats look the best on paper...so that leaves us battling for a spot with the Ravens and Dolphins. Of course now that I say that the Browns or somebody will end up winning 12 games.
Yes, I believe it was the first time that a 11 team didn't get in. However, the Browns didn't make the playoffs the season before last with 10 wins.
That is the face you want to have when you're talking franchise players. Damn Andre is one cool cat. It really makes you appreciate having a low (if none even) drama WR that plays the game the right way. All the cliches you can say about Andre are spot-on. Perhaps more surprising is in a age of "Imma get mine, I'm a mercenary, pay me!" that Andre actually wants to stay with the team and wants to spend the rest of his career here. I don't know, that shocks me at least because we've been a losing franchise since our inception and this guy still really believes in our team which is refreshing.
