The Texans signed former Texas A&M wide receiver Bethel Johnson to a deal Monday. Johnson, 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, will add another kick returner to the Texans' roster as well as a speedy target for quarterback Matt Schaub. The Corsicana, TX, native was a second-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 2003 and won two Super Bowl rings in his three seasons there. As a rookie, he led the AFC in kickoff returns with an average of 28.2 yards per return. He also had his best season as a receiver that year with 209 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Johnson struggled to develop himself as an offensive threat with the Patriots, though, and was traded to New Orleans in 2006. He was cut by the Saints before the regular season started. Johnson spent last season with the Vikings. Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Eagles in March, but was released in June. At Texas A&M, Johnson played in 35 games and set school records in receptions (717) and yards (1,1740) while scoring 11 touchdowns. As a senior in 2002, he tied the school's single-season record with eight touchdowns. megan.manfull@chron.com http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4953389.html
Sounds like perhaps a piss poor attempt to light a fire under Mathis' ass. Doubt it works...and I doubt Bethel ever sees the field during a regular season game.
If there's anyone in the league as fast as Mathis, it'd be Bethel Johnson. This will be interesting. I think it shows that Kubiak is really committed to the kick returner -- whoever it ends up being -- having to be able to legitimately hold down a roster spot at WR and play downs there as well. Johnson was dynamic as a special teams player with the Patriots.
I think his mom works here at Citifinancial Auto....so he aint making that much money and could help out the texans some way.
I love how I heard about three callers on the way into work this morning just b****ing and moaning and b****ing and moaning about this like this is supposed to be the savior of our team. Some people don't seem to understand that not every signing is going to be a huge one.
Its kinda funny how they claim Mathis can't stay healty when he's only been hurt 1 year they Texans are setting up to realease thier only all pro in team history
I don't know why anyone would be upset about this signing. I mean, was there anyone out there better at this point that we had a real shot at (ie they wanted to come here too)? It's not like we're turning good receivers down, they just aren't out there right now. The way I see it, Johnson will come in and compete at both WR and KR. If he beats out Mathis in pre-season, so be it. If not, he'll be great insurance considering Mathis hasn't lasted a full season yet. I never saw him play all that much, but I always thought he was a pretty decent WR. He was stuck for 3 years in New England behind a solid cast of good but underrated receivers in Deion Branch and Troy Brown. Not sure what happened last year in Minnesota. The way I see it he's still unproven. At worst we get a 4th receiver that at least has a winning attitude, and great insurance at returner.
