NFL TEXANS Johnson returns with an edge
Franchise’s leading receiver still miffed over departure from Houston.
Known for his understated personality and talking in a soft-spoken manner, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Andre Johnson displayed a rarely heard edge when asked about his bitter divorce from the Texans.
Regarded as arguably the top player in franchise history, Johnson was cut by the Texans after a dozen seasons in March, at his request. Johnson asked to be traded or released when he was informed by team officials that if he returned this season, he would have a drastically reduced role in the offense and might catch just 40 passes.
Johnson will compete against his old team Thursday night at NRG Stadium.
Although Johnson emphasized he harbors no ill will toward the team for which he had a franchise-record 1,012 receptions for 13,597 yards and 64 touchdowns, he took issue with the characterization of his exit.
“Well, if you look back, I was released from the Texans,” Johnson said. “I don’t know why you keep (suggesting) I made the decision to leave the Texans.”
Johnson never directly denied he asked out of Houston, which hasn’t been disputed. He did sound annoyed, though, when asked if he requested to be cut.
“I was released from the Texans,” he said. “So get that straight first before you ask me something.”
The Texans moved on after a final season in which Johnson caught 85 passes for 936 yards and three scores. The offense had transitioned to making DeAndre Hopkins, Johnson’s protégé, the featured downfield target.
“No, I didn’t,” Johnson said when asked if he thought the Texans wanted him back.
Following a candid conversation with Texans coach Bill O’Brien about his future, Johnson decided he wanted out.
“I don’t really want to talk about that,” Johnson said. “That was several months ago. Everybody has their own opinion about that situation. He knows what happened. I know what happened.”
Like Johnson, O’Brien declined to shed light on those private conversations. And the coach expressed his admiration for Johnson, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection.
“I always had good conversations with Andre,” O’Brien said. “Those conversations will stay between Andre and I. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Andre. I think he’ll go down as one of the best receivers to ever play the game in this league.
“We try to make decisions in the best interest of the player and in the best interest of the team. We obviously wish Andre all the luck in the world, (but) not too much luck Thursday night. Personally, I think the world of Andre.”
‘I’m just being patient’
Johnson was scheduled for a $16.1 million salarycap figure and a $10.5 million base salary for this year prior to his release. Still counting $7.319 million in dead money against the Texans’ cap, Johnson in March signed a three-year, $21 million Colts contract that includes $10 million guaranteed.
From a production and financial standpoint, the Texans’ decision involving Johnson appears prudent.
At 34, Johnson doesn’t appear to be the same player he was a year ago. He doesn’t have a central role in an offense led by dynamic wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. Through four games, Johnson has seven receptions for 51 yards.
“That’s something I knew coming here. They already had a No. 1 guy here in T.Y.,” Johnson said. “I’m not pressing about it. I’m out there having fun and playing the game. I think my time will come. I’m just being patient.”
Expecting a warm reception
Patience is something Johnson ran out of in the spring, which made a fresh start the priority. He quickly found one after being recruited by Colts coach Chuck Pagano, a charismatic former University of Miami assistant during Johnson’s playing days there.
However, Johnson hasn’t had the impact he or Pagano envisioned.
“Obviously, we’d all love to see him have more catches to this point,” Pagano said. “He’s a selfless guy. He’s going to keep grinding.”
Leaving the Texans was difficult for Johnson. Houston was where he matured into an elder statesman of the locker room.
“I don’t have any ill will toward them or the organization,” Johnson said. “I have a lot of friends on that team. It’s the nature of the business. When you play for a long time, sometimes that day eventually happens.”
Johnson built a strong reputation for his explosiveness, ability to make the difficult catch, and willingness to sacrifice his body. It was an outstanding run with the Texans that ended awkwardly.
Johnson would be surprised if he draws boos from the Texans’ faithful. Strong relationships are rarely erased so quickly.
“Everybody has the right to their own opinion,” Johnson said. “I know what I did when I played there for 12 seasons. The people who were there at the games know what I did. The people who worked in the organization know what I did. If they boo me, they still deep down in their heart know what kind of guy I was.”