Andre Johnson

[Marcus]

I know I'm going to get kicked in the teeth for starting this thread, but I seriously really do wonder if this guy is all that he's cracked up to be.

I mean, this guy is 6'3" at 220, and supposedly runs a 4.3, right?

So why is it that he never gets open on a deep route? It's taken for granted that he's Carr's primary receiver. Carr looks for him more than anyone else. How come he never gets separation? Chad Johnson does it for Carson Palmer. Marvin Harrison does it for Peyton Manning. TO does it for whoever the quarterback is. So does Randy Moss.

Double coverage is a non-starter here. All primary receivers are double covered. Not having a decent 2nd receiver is an excuse I take issue with also.

Is he just not that quick? I'd love to see what his time in the short shuttle was in the combine, as compared to his 40 time.

And what about jump balls? Why is that when Carr goes deep to AJ, it's always a jumpball with the cornerback who is covering like a blanket? Again, no separation. But even then, when you have a 6'3" going up against a 5'8" in those situations, like last night, you'd think there would be better results.

Carr gets a lot of money, and right now he's not earning it, but I don't think AJ is earning those big bucks either. I expect more production from such an 'elite' receiver. Right now, I think he's overrated.

[Texas]

AJ probably doesnt expect it much

[gtexan02]

He played like his hype in 2005. He was getting separation, averaging over 5 yards after each catch, and making jump balls routinely. Last year he was slowed by injury and playcalling. Give him time to re-aquaint himself with the offense, and then judge him. He hasn't had too many throws to him early in the preseason

I tend to agree. This is going back to last year as well. Where is his big play ability. Time and time again you see WR make big plays because either the ball is throw with pinpoint accuracy and the WR makes a great catch, or the WR adjusts to the ball when covered. I am not seeing that out of AJ. No way a guy 5'8 should be out leaping Andre Johnson. No way. He did make a clutch slant 3rd down catch, but other than that I am not that impressed with his play making capabilities.

[HOOK'EM]

Remember at the probowl a couple years ago, he came in 2nd in the fastest man competition.

[texan279]

I've been saying this for two seasons now but most didn't want to hear it or even think about the possibility...

[Cjeremy635]

I think he just needs to learn to be more physical. He has to learn to use his hands and long arms for seperation or he will never get open. That is the difference with him and other top receivers. Unfortunately, we got Shanahan's kid as a receivers coach, I don't know him or his credentials, but I think we need experienced coaches at every position at this point. If he doesn't learn to use his large frame for seperation, the CB's in this league will cover him like a blanket every time. All he needs is an extra yard of seperation that he can get from initial contact at the line of scrimmage. He needs to jam the opposing CB and damn near push them down. They're already back peddling so the momentum is in his favor. As long as it's within the legal 5 yards he has every right to be as physical as he wants. (or do it down the field but don't get caught)

[gtexan02]

The NFL Fastest man competition has been the pinnacle for 2 of our players now:

AJ gets 2nd, falls flat the next year
Mathis hurts his foot

Its like the Texans madden curse. Lets just hope DRob doesn't make it to the probowl this year...wait, what?

[nunusguy]

I remember a couple of tremendous jumping catchs AJ made back in '04.
One against the Chiefs and one in the EZ against I think the Vikings ?
He should have had that ball last night when he had only one-on-one coverage by the little 5' 8" Broncos DB. Frankly, AJ went up for that ball like
he had lead in his tail. Hopefully, it was just a presason effort and not what we'd see from him in the regular season.

[Runner]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Frankly, AJ went up for that ball like
he had lead in his tail. Hopefully, it was just a presason effort and not what we'd see from him in the regular season.

I thought he was off balance and didn't really get his feet under him.

A.J needs to step his game up.....

[Hulk75]

Dre is fine, but on the deep ball, he has got to use his vert to get that ball.

Thats him he has got to get that ball.

[jerek]

Originally Posted by Runner

I thought he was off balance and didn't really get his feet under him.

Wow, was it so difficult to see? He was friggin off balance; he botched one reception, let the guy be for it.

Andre is like anybody else in the offense; adjusting to a new scheme. He and DC need a little time to rediscover themselves now. IMO Andre is TO without the attitude.

You people slay me.

[HOU-TEX]

Originally Posted by jerek

Wow, was it so difficult to see? He was friggin off balance; he botched one reception, let the guy be for it.

Andre is like anybody else in the offense; adjusting to a new scheme. He and DC need a little time to rediscover themselves now. IMO Andre is TO without the attitude.

You people slay me.

No slaying here. I agree with you. If DC settles down, he'd be even better. Andre is bigger than TO too.

[Marcus]

Originally Posted by jerek

IMO Andre is TO without the attitude.

And you say that people slay YOU?

[Runner]

Originally Posted by jerek

Wow, was it so difficult to see?

Apparently so. I think that single play is being over analyzed. Dre had better push for his 100 receptions this year though. I know he wants them.

[Honoring Earl 34]

The previous staff drafted a race horse and turned him into a plow mule . AJ will get open deep when the Texans run play action after getting 4.5 yds a pop .

[texan279]

AJ=TO?

[TEXANRED]

Originally Posted by Marcus

I know I'm going to get kicked in the teeth for starting this thread, but I seriously really do wonder if this guy is all that he's cracked up to be.

I mean, this guy is 6'3" at 220, and supposedly runs a 4.3, right?

So why is it that he never gets open on a deep route? It's taken for granted that he's Carr's primary receiver. Carr looks for him more than anyone else. How come he never gets separation? Chad Johnson does it for Carson Palmer. Marvin Harrison does it for Peyton Manning. TO does it for whoever the quarterback is. So does Randy Moss.

Double coverage is a non-starter here. All primary receivers are double covered. Not having a decent 2nd receiver is an excuse I take issue with also.

Is he just not that quick? I'd love to see what his time in the short shuttle was in the combine, as compared to his 40 time.

And what about jump balls? Why is that when Carr goes deep to AJ, it's always a jumpball with the cornerback who is covering like a blanket? Again, no separation. But even then, when you have a 6'3" going up against a 5'8" in those situations, like last night, you'd think there would be better results.

Carr gets a lot of money, and right now he's not earning it, but I don't think AJ is earning those big bucks either. I expect more production from such an 'elite' receiver. Right now, I think he's overrated.

You won't get kicked from me. I have been saying that for a while. AJ IMO has played like an average #1 or a top #2 thus far in his career. 6'3 220 and getting out muscled by 5'8 180? To add insult to injury, buy a CB that isn't anything special.

AJ needs to learn to be more physical and not get out muscled. He needs to learn to get separation from the defender. By no means is AJ an elite receiver yet. This is his fourth year, but like Carr, is learning a different system. AJ and Carr have 0 chemistry together and never look like they are on the same page.

That is what I was complaining about during the off season. Instead of him being in Miami he needed to be here with his QB building a relationship together. Chad Johnson used to sleep at the facility and hangs out with Palmer and Manning and Harrison are in each others heads at all times.

Although I will say this, I saw AJ on one of his completions break his route and come back to the ball. I don't recall seeing that the first four years.

In an indirect way Carr and AJ holds each others futures in there hands. Both of them are going to have to do a better job of helping out one another if they are going to stay Houston Texans.

But that is just my opinion.

[jerek]

Apparently you people forget that a receiver needs his QB to get him the ball. Otherwise, we might as well put the best blocker we can find out there and pay him 150k a year.

How you know that Andre "never creates any separation" or "never gets open on a deep route" is beyond me, since prior to this season, the telecast was focused squarely on David Carr getting sacked in the pocket. This year, Carr has thrown a lot of short passes; either by design of offense, or unwillingness to test the long ball. I'd go primarily with (a) though clearly it is some of (b), but that is more an indictment of David Carr having nerves than it is his belief in Andre's skill.

If you'll remember the Jacksonville home game last year (might be asking a bit much, since people on this board routinely use qualifiers such as "never" -- meaning, never this game, or never this quarter -- Carr hit Andre on a deep post across the middle; plenty of separation, beautiful ball, easy TD. Andre screwed up his jump of the ball last night, but cut him a break for pete's sake; not everyone makes every play perfectly.

Andre is long on talent and upside and I think he is poised to have a breakout year. The T.O. comparison stems from their obvious similarities in physical gifts. Talk about cutting him if you'd like, but barring injury, I'll still be here for you to kiss my feet and ask forgiveness when the season's up.