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Andre Johnson released - cut by Colts - signs with Titans

In early 2013, Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune managed to persuade the Hall of Fame voters to induct former Buccaneers defensive tackle Warren Sapp on the first ballot. While off-field, post-career behavior technically isn’t an official factor in the selection process (although maybe it should be), Kaufman knows that he’d have a very hard time getting enough votes for Sapp if Sapp were up for election in the aftermath of a pair of arrests in 2015.

“I’ve already heard from three or four of the selectors saying, ‘Kaufman, you want to rescind that speech and do it all over again?'” Kaufman said on PFT Live on NBC Sports Radio.

Kaufman explained that Sapp’s primary competition for first-ballot induction was Michael Strahan, and that Kaufman managed to persuade the voters to set aside their personal opinions of Sapp and focus on a football career that included election to a pair of All-Decade teams.

“As soon as I got to town in New Orleans, I talked to my guys on the committee that know which way the wind’s blowing,” Kaufman said, “and they were saying, ‘You got your work cut out, Ira. A bunch of guys, they want to make Sapp wait. They don’t want to put him in that first year. They still remember how he treated them.’ I knew what I was up against.”

Kaufman kept the focus on Sapp the football player by addressing the problem of his off-field persona from the outset of the presentation.
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Link

Not directly on AJ but provides some insight into HoF voter thinking (including going outside the letter of the rules).

Of course AJ has such a stellar reputation his one time he went flagrantly outside the lines he just about got a standing ovation.
 
infantrycak said:
Link

Not directly on AJ but provides some insight into HoF voter thinking (including going outside the letter of the rules).

Of course AJ has such a stellar reputation his one time he went flagrantly outside the lines he just about got a standing ovation.
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I think his dominant play for so much of his career combined with a public personae that everyone likes definitely increases his chances. I hope so. The Texans will probably have a statue of him at NRG when it happens. Hopefully, they include his legs which they seemed to have forgotten with the bull statues.
 
I called it last year during the hold out nonsense. I still feel this way today. Dre is a Traitor and going to the Colts is proof. He could have went to the Packers or the Patriots where he would have a more realistic chance of winning a championship, but instead chose our division rivals. Luck is not better than Rodgers or Brady. Now way, no how.

Andre is fast approaching Bowe Bergdahl status in my eyes, and who wants someone like that on their team? Someone who bails out when things get tough. You can try to romanticize this all you want, it boils down to a player who is being selfish and is no longer a team player.
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http://www.texanstalk.com/posts/2350808/
 
The Dolphins could have had Andre Johnson, took Greg Jennings instead

Andre Johnson always dreamed of playing for the Dolphins, but never got a phone call from the team when he hit free agency.

When the Miami Dolphins selected DeVante Parker with the No. 14 pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, it was the cherry on top of an offseason overhaul of the receivers available to quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The team signed tight end Jordan Cameron and wide receiver Greg Jennings in free agency, and acquired Kenny Stills in a trade with the New Orleans Saints.

One player that the team didn't choose to pursue during its busy offseason, however, was seven-time Pro Bowler Andre Johnson.

Johnson signed a three-year, $21 million with the Indianapolis Colts before the Dolphins signed Cameron, Jennings or Stills, but never even received a call from Miami. Johnson is a member of the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame after a productive career with the Hurricanes and was an All-American at Miami Senior High School. He told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that things could've been different if the Dolphins called.

Playing for the Dolphins "was something I thought about," Johnson told me at the recent UM Hall of Fame fishing tournament in Islamorada. "I always had a dream of playing at home. I was a huge Dolphins fan. But they never called."

Overhauling the position with youth like Cameron, Stills and Parker to work with Tannehill was the team's top priority, but the addition of Jennings showed the Dolphins weren't opposed to veterans. At 33, Johnson's best days are likely in the rearview mirror, but the same could be said for 31-year-old Jennings, who hasn't eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving since 2010.

Who is the better player? Probably Johnson.

He racked up huge numbers in his 12 years with the Houston Texans, tallying more than 1,000 receptions. Even in a down year in 2014, his 936 yards eclipse any mark set by Jennings since 2011.

The big difference between the two receivers may have been the price tags. The Dolphins signed Jennings to a two-year, $8 million deal that will count $2.5 million against the team's cap in 2015, while Johnson will take up $7.5 million of cap space for the Colts.

Miami has the cap space to eat that extra $5 million, but after an already expensive offseason that included the pricey signing of Ndamukong Suh, discount shopping for a veteran makes sense.

Finding a veteran to contribute wasn't a must for the Dolphins. Jarvis Landry is already a promising young receiver who was productive as a rookie, and the younger acquisitions give Tannehill plenty of new targets to work with. A veteran with Pro Bowls in his past should be able to help the younger receivers, but $7.5 million of cap space is a little too much for that role when Jennings is available to do it for a third of the cost.​
 
A quick question guys. I was glancing at the Houston Texans 2015 payroll on Ultimate Texans inside the Houston Chronicle. It says the Texans are currently a little less than $8 million under the current salary cap.

But it also lists Andre Johnson's name at a little over $7 million on this year's 2015 salary cap. I assume that is his dead money after releasing him? My question is does all of that money clear up going into next off-season? So we'd be more or less around $15 million in cap space instantly going into free agency next off-season? Or is Andre Johnson owed more dead money in 2016?
 
Bulls on Parade said:
A quick question guys. I was glancing at the Houston Texans 2015 payroll on Ultimate Texans inside the Houston Chronicle. It says the Texans are currently a little less than $8 million under the current salary cap.

But it also lists Andre Johnson's name at a little over $7 million on this year's 2015 salary cap. I assume that is his dead money after releasing him? My question is does all of that money clear up going into next off-season? So we'd be more or less around $15 million in cap space instantly going into free agency next off-season? Or is Andre Johnson owed more dead money in 2016?
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To the best of my knowledge (and I'm not Troy), we are clear of AJ's dead money after this season. I think the way Smith has worked all the contracts and cuts he's made so far, we're pretty much clear of everything next year at this point.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
To the best of my knowledge (and I'm not Troy), we are clear of AJ's dead money after this season. I think the way Smith has worked all the contracts and cuts he's made so far, we're pretty much clear of everything next year at this point.
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Smith has done an excellent job of moving as much money forward as he can to keep us close to the cap and free up space to bring in players either this season or in future seasons through contract flexibility. He is keeping us close with the ability to shift money to the future ONLY if needed.

I know Smith has his detractors because of personel, but I'm a fan of his due to his contract management.
 
Marshall said:
Smith has done an excellent job of moving as much money forward as he can to keep us close to the cap and free up space to bring in players either this season or in future seasons through contract flexibility. He is keeping us close with the ability to shift money to the future ONLY if needed.

I know Smith has his detractors because of personel, but I'm a fan of his due to his contract management.
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It only took him 4yrs to get us out of cap hell.
 
Marshall said:
Smith has done an excellent job of moving as much money forward as he can to keep us close to the cap and free up space to bring in players either this season or in future seasons through contract flexibility. He is keeping us close with the ability to shift money to the future ONLY if needed.

I know Smith has his detractors because of personel, but I'm a fan of his due to his contract management.
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Seems like we're in rebuild mode right now though especially offensively. When just three years ago we had as many as seven pro bowlers on offense: Schaub, Johnson, Foster, Daniels, Brown, Smith and Myers. Looking at a lot of the young players we have on offense we should have $20 million or so in cap space. We can clear another big chunk next off-season if we release Arian Foster going into his final year. I expect us to draft a running back in the first three rounds in the 2016 NFL Draft.
 
Bulls on Parade said:
Seems like we're in rebuild mode right now though especially offensively. When just three years ago we had as many as seven pro bowlers on offense: Schaub, Johnson, Foster, Daniels, Brown, Smith and Myers. Looking at a lot of the young players we have on offense we should have $20 million or so in cap space. We can clear another big chunk next off-season if we release Arian Foster going into his final year. I expect us to draft a running back in the first three rounds in the 2016 NFL Draft.
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I always pushed for us to draft an RB in the first four rounds every few years during the Kubiak run, because his offense was all about having that Terrell Davis or Clinton Portis, even though he often was able to get good production out of lower round guys (LIKE Terrell Davis and Arian Foster.) I just thought it was important for his teams to have that sort of talent at the RB spot.

But I'd be surprised if OB went that way. Although the Patriot offense has done well when it has a guy like a Corey Dillon pounding the rock, the Patriots have been one of those teams perfectly happy to have a bunch of guys running in a committee. That's why I don't think OB feels a big need to replace Arian. I think OB will use Arian while he's got him, and probably run him into the ground using him up, but I think he'll go to the Patriot multi-headed RB shell game, not letting the opponent know which guy to prepare for, not letting fantasy owners have a clue which guy's going to rack up the points in a given week. I think that's what OB means by being a game-plan offense.
 
A running back by committee approach can definitely work if you have an elite quarterback. Tom Brady had won a few Super Bowls with running backs most people can't name. Guys that I can't even remember to be honest.

Aaron Rodgers won his only Super Bowl with a couple of no-names at running back (also guys I can't remember) after Ryan Grant, their star running back at the time, had gotten injured for the entire season and playoffs after the first game of the season.

But given the situation this young Texans offense seems to be in we could definitely use a legitimate workhorse at running back. One that could also catch out of the backfield and block to help the passing game would be ideal.

Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer, whichever wins the starting quarterback job, will be up against it and have to pull some magic out of the air given the circumstances they are in. I'm very concerned with our tight ends and running backs at the moment. Our young wide receivers give me some hope. I feel like DeAndre Hopkins and Jaelen Strong are both special talents. And Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts offer us some veteran leadership.

Just running an effective play-action pass will be difficult for this team because our running game isn't going to make the opposing defense game plan all that much for. Hopefully our defense can hold the other teams to 20 points or less. Maybe even 13 points or less, just to give us a good chance to win.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
I always pushed for us to draft an RB in the first four rounds every few years during the Kubiak run, because his offense was all about having that Terrell Davis or Clinton Portis, even though he often was able to get good production out of lower round guys (LIKE Terrell Davis and Arian Foster.) I just thought it was important for his teams to have that sort of talent at the RB spot.

But I'd be surprised if OB went that way. Although the Patriot offense has done well when it has a guy like a Corey Dillon pounding the rock, the Patriots have been one of those teams perfectly happy to have a bunch of guys running in a committee. That's why I don't think OB feels a big need to replace Arian. I think OB will use Arian while he's got him, and probably run him into the ground using him up, but I think he'll go to the Patriot multi-headed RB shell game, not letting the opponent know which guy to prepare for, not letting fantasy owners have a clue which guy's going to rack up the points in a given week. I think that's what OB means by being a game-plan offense.
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You touched on it but I don't think you're giving the 'Brady factor' enough credit. Having Brady there reading the defense and recognizing mismatches and getting his RB into position to take advantage of them is critical. We. Don't. Have. That.

Also, the year Brady won his first SB, they had Antowain Smith to carry the load. They won two SBs in three years with Smith as the workhorse. When Smith got too old they replaced him with Dillon. When Dillon's production started falling off they drafted Laurence Mauroney. So Belichick - during the early Brady years - kept a workhorse RB.

All that to say that I would expect (okay HOPE) O'Brien will do the same while Mallett/Hoyer/Savage continue to develop. I'm not sure RB-by-committee will work with a Mallett/Hoyer/Savage calling the shots as it would with a Brady striking fear into opposing defenses.
 
ObsiWan said:
You touched on it but I don't think you're giving the 'Brady factor' enough credit.
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Yup, this last SB is really the 1st one they haven't had a workhorse RB. Hell Dillon had 1635 yds for their 3rd. They ran him into the ground with 345 carries and then chucked him to the side not with JAG but with a 1st round pick.
 
Kaiser Toro said:
The Pats won 11 games with Matt Cassel at QB with a RBBC. Welker and Moss at WR receiving instruction from their position coach, Bill O'Brien.
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The Patriots take whatever they have and make it work. If they have a great running back, they run him into the ground. If they don't, they don't get worried about it, they just make it work another way. If they have their franchise QB, great; if not, whatever, we'll make it work.

That's the sort of mindset I want here, but more importantly, I want to have the coaching staff that is flexible enough and smart enough to make that work.
 
Kaiser Toro said:
The Pats won 11 games with Matt Cassel at QB with a RBBC. Welker and Moss at WR receiving instruction from their position coach, Bill O'Brien.
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The Texans won 12 games with Matt Schaub too. They were 11-1 after 12 games and had a chance to win 13 or 14 that season. You can win a lot of games without an elite quarterback but it's very difficult to win a Super Bowl these days without one. The last team to do so was the Ravens with Joe Flacco? And even then Flacco played like an elite quarterback during the playoffs that year. He was on fire and put up Joe Montana like numbers in that playoffs. But even those guys (Schaub and Flacco) had pro bowl caliber running backs like Arian Foster and Ray Rice. Not to mention excellent defenses. Unless many of you don't consider Russell Wilson as elite. If that's the case then the Seahawks a couple years ago. And they were fueled by a great running back and defense as well.
 
And you're right about Corey Dillon. I can't believe I forgot about him. He was as good a back as any during his era. Even had that one monster year with the Patriots in 2004. I was actually referring to the running backs they played in the two Super Bowls against the Giants but they lost both games so it's a moot point on my part.

But I dare you to name me the starting running back on that Packers team that won the Super Bowl with Aaron Rodgers? After Ryan Grant got hurt Week 1 my fantasy team was ruined and they still won it all using guys in the back field that I can't even remember. Their offensive line wasn't even that good that year. It's impressive they won the Super Bowl to be honest. LOL
 
My expectation is not Super Bowl this year, only marked improvement from a development standpoint for individuals and units, and ultimately results. I like what I am seeing even in light of the injuries, due to the mindset and environment that O'Brien has brought to the org. In the past, anyone following the Texans knew an iceberg could puncture the ship at any moment. They emulated their coach, and were one directional and soft. Although they stated they liked their coach they sure as heck gave up on him and themselves at the first sign of diversity. Enjoy the ride y'all, even the bumps and wrong turns - this staff will leverage for development, and attrition.
 
Bulls on Parade said:
But I dare you to name me the starting running back on that Packers team that won the Super Bowl with Aaron Rodgers? After Ryan Grant got hurt Week 1 my fantasy team was ruined and they still won it all using guys in the back field that I can't even remember.
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Brandon Jackson who you might remember except for the fact he suffered a career ending injury during the next off-season. And James Starks who's still a depth guy for them.

And to the overall RBBC point, again we're pulling examples where the QB is one of the top 3 in the league.

I've lost track of how we derailed this AJ thread.
 
The Pencil Neck said:
The Patriots take whatever they have and make it work. If they have a great running back, they run him into the ground. If they don't, they don't get worried about it, they just make it work another way. If they have their franchise QB, great; if not, whatever, we'll make it work.

That's the sort of mindset I want here, but more importantly, I want to have the coaching staff that is flexible enough and smart enough to make that work.
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So what you're saying, without actually saying it, is that they have Belichick. As Bum said, 'He can take his'n and beat your'n or take your'n and beat his'n.
It remains to be seen if O'Brien is anywhere close to having those coaching chops.
 
ObsiWan said:
So what you're saying, without actually saying it, is that they have Belichick. As Bum said, 'He can take his'n and beat your'n or take your'n and beat his'n.
It remains to be seen if O'Brien is anywhere close to having those coaching chops.
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O'Brien is not Belichick, nor will he be. But there are similarities in their approach and methodology, I think that is evident on the surface and via the player commentary to date.
 
infantrycak said:
Brandon Jackson who you might remember except for the fact he suffered a career ending injury during the next off-season. And James Starks who's still a depth guy for them.

And to the overall RBBC point, again we're pulling examples where the QB is one of the top 3 in the league.

I've lost track of how we derailed this AJ thread.
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B9317394328Z.1_20150520181544_000_GGDARLBD2.1-0.jpg


Andre Johnson is the enemy now. It's going to be personal when we play the Colts twice this year. I hope we finally beat them at Indianapolis in 2015. I feel fired up every time Andre Johnson's name is mentioned.

Stifler.gif
 
Here's AJ related. Luck threw 4 TDs in 5 passes against the Colts #1 D at practice yesterday including a one handed AJ TD in double coverage (S Mike Adams and CB Darius Butler).
 
ObsiWan said:
So what you're saying, without actually saying it, is that they have Belichick. As Bum said, 'He can take his'n and beat your'n or take your'n and beat his'n.
It remains to be seen if O'Brien is anywhere close to having those coaching chops.
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Pretty much, yes, that's exactly what I'm saying.

It's not about the QB or the RB or the D, it's about figuring out each season and each game's puzzle and discovering a way to be successful in these new, changing circumstances.

OB was able to take Fitzy, Mallett, Savage, and Keenum, and ride them to 9 wins, figuring out ways to win some games that no one expected us to win. And even showing signs of life in some of the games that we lost. So I'm hopeful that he'll be able to do what Belichick does, without having to do it the way Belichick does it.
 
Kaiser Toro said:
O'Brien is not Belichick, nor will he be. But there are similarities in their approach and methodology, I think that is evident on the surface and via the player commentary to date.
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Accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative... I'd rather have an improvement over Belicheat myself.
 
Andre Johnson on Texans: ‘They really didn’t know how to come at me’
Posted on August 11, 2015 | By Greg Rajan


Andre Johnson apparently is loving life as a Colt.

But he also has some things to say about his departure from the Texans, saying the team wasn’t straightforward with him after his 12th and final season in Houston.

“I just think they really didn’t know how to come at me,” Johnson said in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated. “I just think they wanted to go in a different direction, and that was pretty much it. I would have felt better if they would have said that’s what they wanted to do. I’ve always been straightforward with them, so I felt like they should do the same. But it is what it is. I don’t really care about it too much. I’ve moved on from it. I’m here. I’m a Colt now.”

As for life in Indianapolis, Johnson called it “so much fun,” noting there’s “a lot of great energy on this team” and was effusive in his praise of Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who’s considered the elite signal-caller that Johnson always seemed to lack in Houston.

“A lot of people ask me, ‘Did you come here to get back at the Texans?’” Johnson said. “That’s not what it’s about. I came here to win. I came here to win a Super Bowl. When I was in Houston, I always said I wanted to be a part of something that was built from the ground up. But then you go through that, and then after 12 seasons, there comes a point where you know your career’s almost over. What do you do?

“You go find a place and give yourself the best opportunity to try and get a ring. That’s just the way I looked at it. My decision was never based on money or anything else but, ‘Where can I go and play with a great quarterback and get a chance to go to a Super Bowl?’”

Johnson will get to see his old team at least twice this season, with his return to NRG Stadium coming Oct. 8 in a Thursday night game.
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I’ve moved on from it. I’m here. I’m a Colt now
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..............something we all should remember.
 
thunderkyss said:
Somehow the Colts manage to pay Marvin Harris & Reggie Wayne. Reggie Wayne & Ty Hilton. Dwight Freeney & Robert Mathis.

But we've got to approach Andre Johnson about accepting a lesser role? Really?

That's the best way they decided to pitch a restructured contract?
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Looks like AJ is destined to play a lesser than full-time role with the Colts.

Per Ian Rapoport:

Andre Johnson, WR: Speaking of receiver ... Andre Johnson hoped to end his career with a winner, and he picked a good one. The former Texans star came to Indy with Gore as a package deal, and his veteran presence and route-running ability should pay dividends. They won't run him into the ground -- he'll be on a pitch count -- but he should help immensely.
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CloakNNNdagger said:
Looks like AJ is destined to play a lesser than full-time role with the Colts.

Per Ian Rapoport:
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That's the way Andre should have been used here for maybe the last couple seasons.

Not a knock on Andre. He just should have been given more rest and had more help brought in at that position. Strong would've been a good aj reliever/student for a year or two.
 
Double Barrel said:
Yep, and boo his ass accordingly since he'll be in the enemy's uniform. We can save our cheers for the inevitable #80 retirement ceremony in a few years.
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Not going to catch me booing Andre. I won't bring myself to cheer an opposing player, but I'm damn sure not going to boo someone who's put in that much work for this city no matter what uniform he's wearing. Boo Earl and Bum coming in as Saints? Boo Hakeem coming in as a Raptor? NOPE. I'll sit down quietly as he's introduced and then cheer the rest of the game as we beat the Colts.
 
Scooter said:
Not going to catch me booing Andre. I won't bring myself to cheer an opposing player, but I'm damn sure not going to boo someone who's put in that much work for this city no matter what uniform he's wearing. Boo Earl and Bum coming in as Saints? Boo Hakeem coming in as a Raptor? NOPE. I'll sit down quietly as he's introduced and then cheer the rest of the game as we beat the Colts.
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You're not booing the player. You would be booing the uniform. :texflag:

We fans don't owe ANYTHING to any given player. They get payed multi-millions to ENTERTAIN us. They have no loyalty to us in the end. Why do you feel such a deep loyalty to them? Are you going to feel all fuzzy inside when Andre drops a badass couple of games beating the Texans this year? Personally, I root for the name on the front of the jerseys, and it's the same for all players. The name on the back is inconsequential.

And c'mon, Bum and Earl are not the same as this A.J. situation. Bum was canned in a very cold blooded fashion after multiple playoff seasons, and Earl had very little left in the tank and the Oilers were moving on with Warren Moon.

This Texans team just wasn't good enough for Andre Johnson any more. It's as simple as that.
 
I know people disagree with me on this, and that's cool, but I never had the affinity for AJ that I have for guys like Earl, Bum, and even Hakeem. Those guys made Houston a part of their lives. It feels like AJ just commuted to work. I don't feel like AJ will remain a part of the community going forward. I could be wrong. I'm open to that. It just doesn't feel like it. Maybe he'll try to capitalize on his name and open a restaurant or something.

That has nothing to do with how great a player he was, and I sure as hell cheered loudly for him. But I just never got attached as a fan in the same way that I did with Earl, Bum, Hakeem, Biggio, etc. So I sure don't have a problem booing a Colts jersey with his name on it.
 
eriadoc said:
I know people disagree with me on this, and that's cool, but I never had the affinity for AJ that I have for guys like Earl, Bum, and even Hakeem. Those guys made Houston a part of their lives. It feels like AJ just commuted to work. I don't feel like AJ will remain a part of the community going forward. I could be wrong. I'm open to that. It just doesn't feel like it. Maybe he'll try to capitalize on his name and open a restaurant or something.
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I see what you're saying in terms of overall reverence from the fan perspective. But on AJ's intentions, it's my understanding he intends to keep Houston as his primary residence. To be honest I don't know why. If I had his money and Miami was home I'd buy something there and blow this (Houston) taco stand. But anyway, my understanding is he intends to stay.

So I sure don't have a problem booing a Colts jersey with his name on it.
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I don't boo anyone but the Cortland Innegans of the world so the idea of booing AJ is a non-starter to me.
 
Double Barrel said:
Why do you feel such a deep loyalty to them?
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Because in my book AJ is the GOAT, and he played for my team. I'll root for him as long as its not against my Texans. But I've got too much history with him to just discard.

Double Barrel said:
Personally, I root for the name on the front of the jerseys, and it's the same for all players...
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Agree, I'm a Texans fan first. I'm not against any Texans player. But I'm also a football fan and I cheer for players on other teams... and root against a few, too, although I try not to hate. I enjoy great play and I like to see people overcome to succeed.

An old tour veteran told me Jack Nicklaus was the greatest sportsman he ever knew. He said Jack would root for his opponents to succeed, congratulate and give them a pat on the back when they sank a putt. Then he'd drop one right on top of yours and just crush you. He said there was no tougher opponent than that. I found that mindset something to aspire to.
 
eriadoc said:
I know people disagree with me on this, and that's cool, but I never had the affinity for AJ that I have for guys like Earl, Bum, and even Hakeem. Those guys made Houston a part of their lives. It feels like AJ just commuted to work. I don't feel like AJ will remain a part of the community going forward. I could be wrong. I'm open to that. It just doesn't feel like it. Maybe he'll try to capitalize on his name and open a restaurant or something.

That has nothing to do with how great a player he was, and I sure as hell cheered loudly for him. But I just never got attached as a fan in the same way that I did with Earl, Bum, Hakeem, Biggio, etc. So I sure don't have a problem booing a Colts jersey with his name on it.
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It is interesting that you bring up that aspect. When I think about it, my affinity with A.J. is more about him being the best player on our team for 12 seasons more than anything else. I'm not sure why, but to a lot of fans (especially younger ones), J.J. is very much more like Earl was to us back in Luv Ya Blue days. Almost like a super hero in that regard.

infantrycak said:
I see what you're saying in terms of overall reverence from the fan perspective. But on AJ's intentions, it's my understanding he intends to keep Houston as his primary residence. To be honest I don't know why. If I had his money and Miami was home I'd buy something there and blow this (Houston) taco stand. But anyway, my understanding is he intends to stay.

I don't boo anyone but the Cortland Innegans of the world so the idea of booing AJ is a non-starter to me.
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I don't boo much either. I was just in hardcore fanatic mode when I typed it, especially after seeing A.J. in a Colts uni and gushing over his new BFF. My attitude comes from despising the Colts more than anything else.

Playoffs said:
Because in my book AJ is the GOAT, and he played for my team. I'll root for him as long as its not against my Texans. But I've got too much history with him to just discard..
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The problem here is that you cannot root for him at all in a Colts uniform as a Texans fan. Each Colts win just puts that much more pressure on the Texans. I honestly cannot comprehend rooting for our biggest division rival. It would have been like rooting for the Steelers back in the Luv Ya Blue days because you really liked one of their players. I am unable to make that kind of distinction.
 
Double Barrel said:
The problem here is that you cannot root for him at all in a Colts uniform as a Texans fan. Each Colts win just puts that much more pressure on the Texans.
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Sure you can. I hope he has a career year (and especially hits double digit TDs thereby effectively ending that criticism) and the Colts go 0-16. Calvin Johnson had 1964 yds on a 4 win team.
 
Double Barrel said:
The problem here is that you cannot root for him at all in a Colts uniform as a Texans fan. Each Colts win just puts that much more pressure on the Texans...
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Sure I can. And will. Ever see AJ have a big game in a loss?

If you play fantasy football you know what I'm talking about.

Pretty sure whichever player I root for has no effect on the Colts games. :truck: Texans need to take care of their own business.
 
infantrycak said:
Sure you can. I hope he has a career year (and especially hits double digit TDs thereby effectively ending that criticism) and the Colts go 0-16. Calvin Johnson had 1964 yds on a 4 win team.
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I'm not going to complain if they go 0-16, but I'd rather see them go 8-8 or 7-9 (provided they don't win AFCS with that record)
 
Of course y'all can root for whoever you want to root for, just like I can root against whoever I choose. My argument is purely fan rhetoric, because none of this means a damn thing in the real world.

And yeah, it pretty much goes without saying that who we root for/against has absolutely no influence on the games themselves...except maybe 12th man for good teams. Running with that 12th man mentality, so what if hometown fans gushing over A.J. in a Colts uniform gives him an adrenaline rush to beat the Texans at NRG. It's not like we are used to beating the Colts anyways. :rolleyes:

For the record, A.J. in just about any other uni gets my support. I just cannot bring myself to root for anyone, even A.J., in that fugly assed Colts gear. I'm just a hard-assed Texans fan in that regard, not soft and squishy like some of y'all. :D j/k
 
Double Barrel said:
Of course y'all can root for whoever you want to root for, just like I can root against whoever I choose. My argument is purely fan rhetoric, because none of this means a damn thing in the real world.

And yeah, it pretty much goes without saying that who we root for/against has absolutely no influence on the games themselves...except maybe 12th man for good teams. Running with that 12th man mentality, so what if hometown fans gushing over A.J. in a Colts uniform gives him an adrenaline rush to beat the Texans at NRG. It's not like we are used to beating the Colts anyways. :rolleyes:

For the record, A.J. in just about any other uni gets my support. I just cannot bring myself to root for anyone, even A.J., in that fugly assed Colts gear. I'm just a hard-assed Texans fan in that regard, not soft and squishy like some of y'all. :D j/k
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Or as Ben Tate would say... wishy washy :D
 
I loved Andre Johnson as a Texan. I'll still respect him as a Colt but I don't want to see him succeeding at a high level on the football field for that much longer. I'd rather see him retire than to continue to play at an All Pro level in a Colts uniform. He's a division rival now.

Good luck to him for the two, three, four years he likely has left in the pros but I won't cheer for him on the field. Only off the field especially when he does his annual charity Christmas drive. Regardless if it's in Houston or Indianapolis, he helps kids in need and that's something we can all cheer for and applaud. Off the field, Andre Johnson is still first class in my eyes.

On the field, like I said, I'm done cheering for Andre Johnson. I hope we beat him and the Colts twice in 2015. We'll beat the Colts at Indy for the first time in franchise history. It would be bittersweet with Andre Johnson playing for the Colts.

Andre Johnson on the field (booooo). Andre Johnson off the field (applause). And you better believe Andre deserves some booos when the Colts come to NRG Stadium. You don't ditch us for our cheap division rival. That's personal and a slap in the face to me. I'll probably clap softly for him but when it's game time I'm sure as heck ain't cheering for him.
 
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Double Barrel said:
I just cannot bring myself to root for anyone, even A.J., in that fugly assed Colts gear.
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I guess I have a different viewpoint on that horseshoe than you do. I grew up rooting for guys like Johnny U., Lenny Moore, Raymond Berry, John Mackey, etc. who wore that uni back in the day. So I don't have an aversion to the horseshoe... just to some of the guys who wore it *cough*Peyton*cough*
 
ObsiWan said:
I guess I have a different viewpoint on that horseshoe than you do. I grew up rooting for guys like Johnny U., Lenny Moore, Raymond Berry, John Mackey, etc. who wore that uni back in the day. So I don't have an aversion to the horseshoe... just to some of the guys who wore it *cough*Peyton*cough*
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All those guys are way before my time. ;)

It is a somewhat recent development of strong dislike on my part. Slowly started in 2002 and has just grown since then. Tired of them owning our team, and I resent their fortunate timing from one HoF QB to another great QB with just one mere losing season in between.
 
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