All Encompassing Andre Johnson Thread (Just got some disturbing news about A Johnson)

[kingtexan]

Post draft depression because Texans didn't upgrade QB. Bridgewater was right there but no love from Rick & good OL boys on Kirby.

Bridgewater was drafted at 32, and wasn't there at 33. Could we have traded up and possibly drafted him? Sure, but he wasn't worth it. It will prove to be the smart thing to do once his career pans out. We do not know yet what Savage will be, so we may have in reality actually upgraded the QB position. All speculation at this point.

 

[MistaRed]

When did he ask for more money?

Was commenting on the idea that he's negotiating for more money.

 

[kingtexan]

Was commenting on the idea that he's negotiating for more money.

I don't think money has anything to do with it. He is tired of losing ...

 

[Double Barrel]

I don't think money has anything to do with it. He is tired of losing ...

I agree completely. If it was only about money, dude would just half ass his way through the remaining years of his contract.

If fans are tired of losing and only three winning seasons in 12 years, we can only imagine how AJ feels to be a part of it.

 

[Playoffs]

Tim Brown on 610AM: What kept me going in Oakland all of those years was my relationship with the fans. It was great... I played for them. AJ should've kept what he said in house.

 

[False Start]

Tim Brown on 610AM: What kept me going in Oakland all of those years was my relationship with the fans. It was great... I played for them. AJ should've kept what he said in house.

I heard that. It was a good interview.

 

[chicagotexan2]

Yeah well, fortunately they only force you to interview people because of skin tone, not hire them because of it. Lovie wasn't the best candidate for the job, so didn't get it ...

The man at the helm over the HC is black. He should've been gone with Kubiak. Lovie is a good HC and shouldn't have been fired due to the injuries to cutler and forte but I preferred shaw from Stanford to be the HC but not because he is black.

 

[badboy]

We haven't paid any of our rookies yet, including the #1 overall pick. I'm pretty sure that was a big reason we weren't going after any free agents in the offseason, because we couldn't afford them. We might have some wiggle room after rookies are signed, but it won't be much and I just don't see it happening. We will see though. Yall could be right.

That is why I said draftees and UDFAs were not included. We still should have $7m or so after which is significant. I think we did not go after FAs as older high price players are not what new management is after. I would not be stunned if a decent offer is made that AJ is allowed to go. He has never been a malcontent but he has never expressed his displeasure either. Does O'Brien want that in his locker room. We will see.

 

[humblegeo]

Maybe he doesn't like the type offense Obrien will run utilizing up to 3 tight ends at a time. Lot less catches for the wide receivers.

 

[Heath Shuler]

Idiot Texans. Can't blame him at all. Probably wouldn't be happening if Texans had done the smart thing and traded up for Johnny Manziel. Who can blame him having Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing him the ball next season.

I hope we trade him to a winning organization. He deserves it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0JvF9vpqx8&feature=kp

 

[chicagotexan2]

Maybe me doesn't like the type offense Obrien will run utilizing up to 3 tight ends at a time. Lot less catches for the wide receivers.

I could see that but woylnft that help extend his career with less wear and tear.

I feel for Andre. He's my favorite all time Texan. I totally understand his pov but if it puts the team in cap hell I don't blame them for not trading him. After a great career I'm sure that winning means more to him now than it ever has.

 

[FirstTexansFan]

Maybe me doesn't like the type offense Obrien will run utilizing up to 3 tight ends at a time. Lot less catches for the wide receivers.

I see this as well, I have doubts the offense that O'Brien intends to bring is what the future is going to be in the NFL. I look at the Eagles and the 49'ers and see that as the trend, not the Patriots.

 

[houstonspartan]

Tim Brown on 610AM: What kept me going in Oakland all of those years was my relationship with the fans. It was great... I played for them. AJ should've kept what he said in house.

Not everyone has the same motivations, and not everyone has the same breaking point.

Tim Brown being OK with losing because of his great connection to the fans is great, if that's what kept him going. Good for him, and good for the fans.

But there is nothing wrong with Andre wanting more out of his career. It has got to KILL HIM to see other teams re-boot after a few years, meanwhile we've plodded along for 8. Not only that, he also has to deal with newer players in the league having had a taste of playing in a Super Bowl game.

Andre knows his own talent. He also knows he only has a few years left. His frustrations are completely understandable.

Also, everyone: please don't lay this on the feet of Bill O'Brien. This mess is directly on the heads of Gary Kubiak and the guy who foolishly kept him here so long, Bob McNair.

O'Brien is merely trying to clean up this mess and turn this franchise into a winning one.

 

[texanhead08]

I root for the Texans I want whats best for the franchise not an individual player. If trading or releasing him does this then we should do it, but because that is what is best for the team not because one player is frustrated that his championship dreams got smashed in one lousy season.

 

[BullNation4Life]

I root for the Texans I want whats best for the franchise not an individual player. If trading or releasing him does this then we should do it, but because that is what is best for the team not because one player is frustrated that his championship dreams got smashed in one lousy season.

I agree as well, but 1 lousy season?

 

[Runner]

Very true, man. While I'm an AJ fan like most everyone else, I'm a Texans fan first and foremost. We will be Texans fans when AJ's career is a distant memory.

It isn't that clear cut for me. Do I want what is best for a guy who is by most accounts a good person, or what is best for a for-profit corporation?

I know I don't feel undying loyalty for say, my cell phone provider.....

 

[Lord Bills]

I hate the fact that I'm responding to something you posted. Just wanted to get that out of the way.

If the Texans graded this years' QB's as closely as reported, I'm more than happy that they waited until the 4th round to pick one. My grandmother knew the Texans need a QB. She's been dead since 2001.

Just because you need a QB doesn't mean you need to draft one with a high draft pick just because you need one. Draft position doesn't equate to success. If all of the QB prospects grade out to the 4th round on your board, taking one in the 2nd isn't going to improve his chances of being successful in the NFL. It just means you passed on a different player that did have a better chance.

In all seriousness, this simply wasn't a great QB class. There are a ton of QB's that could be good or great, but there was no Luck or Manning in this draft that just blew the rest of the competition away. There is an NFL graveyard full of NFL careers with "He had a ton of potential" on their headstones.

In 3 years, I'll bet the Texans 1-3 picks will have had better careers than the QB's picked instead of them.

I'll freely admit that I would've moved back up in the 3rd and taken McCarron or possibly

you dont know that.

AT ALL.

NOBODY DOES.

Until they play. Fact of the matter is, there were QBs with first, second, and third round grades. We waited till the 4th to address the most important position and our most weakest position.

What if Manziel is the real deal?
What if Blake bortles becomes a pro bowler?
What if Teddy Bridgewater becomes a pro bowler?

How would we look?

You give yourself a chance to find out.

Texans didnt do that and basiclly wasted not only a chance to draft a quarterback with a higher potential than a 4th round pick, but wasted a fourth round pick on a QB that wont probably do anything but be a back up.

You better hope clowney is all that he is and all those other QBs fall flat on their faces.

dre was PISSED OFF because he knows our biggest problem is QB yet we waited till the 4th round to pick one.

He's seen this act before and its an act of treading water in a cesspool of mediocrity which is what this franchise has basically been its entire existence.

 

[bash]

I agree as well, but 1 lousy season?

This.

 

[TheMatrix31]

You mean when you had an atomic meltdown and went crazy?

I figured you would have wanted that thread to die and never get brought up again there bud.

For the record, you were one of Kubiak's biggest supporters for years and would curse at all types of people who criticized the guy. Everyone knows that. Your behavior has never changed. When you don't like something you start kicking and screaming and cursing relentlessly. And when Kubiak used to get criticized, you typically went nuts the same way you are in this thread as usual.

In other words, water is wet.

Perhaps you should take the opportunity presented to you to view all the posted I made pertaining to Kubiak in the post that I linked to you. You'll find that it refutes your narrative quite thoroughly, however, I wouldn't expect a plebeian such as yourself to be capable of comprehending that. This post proves that you are, in fact, incapable of such a thing.

 

[gwallaia]

You better hope clowney is all that he is and all those other QBs fall flat on their faces.
.

We as Texan fans better hope Clowney is all that he is and all those other QBs fall flat on their faces.

That's a better way of saying it right?

 

[Double Barrel]

It isn't that clear cut for me. Do I want what is best for a guy who is by most accounts a good person, or what is best for a for-profit corporation?

I know I don't feel undying loyalty for say, my cell phone provider.....

'eh, it's all within the "football bubble reality" for me. Within that bubble is the battle between the head and the heart. The head looks at logical business decisions for the potential long term success of the team, while the heart is connected to AJ as a great, dedicated player who has been here since the 2nd season of this franchise. (It is also in this bubble that my friends and I will have heated debates about this kind of stuff, but truly with the fundamental understanding that all of it is out of our influence/control and none of it really makes an impact on our lives.)

However, step outside of that bubble, and we are talking about a multi-millionaire working for a billion dollar corporation in a multi-billion dollar entertainment empire. And in that light, it's really tough to have any tangible emotion about it at all.

That said, if all the affinity you feel toward your team as a fan is equivalent to how you feel about a cell phone company, perhaps being a sports fanatic is not for you.

 

[TheMatrix31]

Andre Johnson is crucial to this team returning to its proper stature. Attachment to him is both emotional and logical.

Is Andre Johnson not a "for-profit" individual? The rampant demonization of people and entities in this country that are interested in acquiring money is patently absurd.

 

[Lord Bills]

We as Texan fans better hope Clowney is all that he is and all those other QBs fall flat on their faces.

That's a better way of saying it right?

no.

i was talking to docbar because he's defending this team waiting till the 4ht round to get a QB which is this team's most glaring weakness.

i used the words we several times signifying im a texan fan well after that post.

 

[Runner]

That said, if all the affinity you feel toward your team as a fan is equivalent to how you feel about a cell phone company, perhaps being a sports fanatic is not for you.

How about cars? I really, really like my ultimate driving machine, but I don't really care if Friedrich Nitschke moves on from his position with "my" car company to reach his own personal goals.


However, I do understand the "football bubble reality" viewpoint.

 

[Hervoyel]

you dont know that.

AT ALL.

NOBODY DOES.

Until they play. Fact of the matter is, there were QBs with first, second, and third round grades. We waited till the 4th to address the most important position and our most weakest position.

What if Manziel is the real deal?
What if Blake bortles becomes a pro bowler?
What if Teddy Bridgewater becomes a pro bowler?

How would we look?

You give yourself a chance to find out.

Texans didnt do that and basiclly wasted not only a chance to draft a quarterback with a higher potential than a 4th round pick, but wasted a fourth round pick on a QB that wont probably do anything but be a back up.

You better hope clowney is all that he is and all those other QBs fall flat on their faces.

dre was PISSED OFF because he knows our biggest problem is QB yet we waited till the 4th round to pick one.

He's seen this act before and its an act of treading water in a cesspool of mediocrity which is what this franchise has basically been its entire existence.

We'd look like a team with a defense that sacks those guys a lot.

The Texans liked the DE/OLB better than the QB's available. You rattled off Manziel, Bortles, and Bridgewater. Those guys were "snapped up" by Cleveland, Jacksonville, and Minnesota. Not one of those teams could identify a franchise QB if they were given free tickets to the HOF in Canton. They've collectively drafted Christian Ponder, Blaine Gabbert, Colt McCoy, Brandon Weeden, Tarvaris Jackson, Brady Quinn, Byron Leftwich, and Tim Couch.

What makes you think any of those teams got it right?

If AJ is that upset then they should let him go to another team if a trade partner that he likes can be found. If they can't find anyone that will take him with his salary and at his age then he can pound sand or retire. We can only do what is possible and it may be that the Texans generosity to Andre Johnson may have sealed his fate. The one thing I don't want to see them do no matter how much I like the guy is release him and get nothing in return. No way. Unacceptable.

This is the NFL and every year most of the teams players go home unsatisfied. That's the NFL. Andre is a great player but better men than he have played careers without winning a ring. It happens.

 

[TheMatrix31]

How about cars? I really, really like my ultimate driving machine, but I don't really care if Friedrich Nitschke moves on from his position with "my" car company to reach his own personal goals.

It is quite peculiar to me that you appear to criticize organizations like the Houston Texans for being interested in generating wealth yet, you admit to having enough money yourself to be in a position to purchase such a luxury automobile. Wouldn't it behoove you to distribute your wealth evenly so as to reconcile your viewpoint and rest your conscience?

 

[Runner]

It is quite peculiar to me that you appear to criticize organizations like the Houston Texans for being interested in generating wealth yet, you admit to having enough money yourself to be in a position to purchase such a luxury automobile. Wouldn't it behoove you to distribute your wealth evenly so as to reconcile your viewpoint and rest your conscience?

I'm not sure where I criticized the Texans for generating wealth. I just pointed out that a rich athlete and a rich corporation aren't really that different and don't earn "undying loyalty" from me.

I like money. I like good businesses and consider myself pro-business. I like good people, although I'm not sure I'd be considered a "people person".

 

[datchapin]

I want to thank Mussop for sharing the info.

This thread is actually mentioned in Battle Red Blog.

http://www.battleredblog.com/2014/5...nlikely-to-be-traded-but-could-he-retire-from

I would hate to see Andre leave and hope he gives the new regime a chance. If he does decide to retire I'm thankful for all the good memories he's given me as a fan of the Texans.

 

[Bulls on Parade]

If I were Bill O'Brien or even Rick Smith I'd convince Andre Johnson to play hard in 2014. He really has no choice being under contract unless he wants to retire. I'd tell him let's see how we perform the first eight games of the season before the trading deadline in late October. If we're somehow 5-3 or better, and very much in the playoff race, perhaps he'll feel better that this isn't a rebuilding team.

If we're struggling and have a losing record and he's still frustrated and not happy I would promise him a trade to a contender a day or two before the in-season trading deadline. Either way, both sides can at least be happy and see what happens. Nobody knows for sure the Texans are rebuilding. I think we can challenge for an AFC wild-card spot this year.

 

[Oz Texan]

Either he retires the best Texan ever or he honors his contract and plays for the Texans.

It really gets me when players whine for more money or want a trade.(not saying this is the case) But they signed a contract they need to honor it.

No team with a brain is going to take this contract on a 32 year old wide out. Even one as great as AJ.

 

[Ryan]

If I were Bill O'Brien or even Rick Smith I'd convince Andre Johnson to play hard in 2014. He really has no choice being under contract unless he wants to retire. I'd tell him let's see how we perform the first eight games of the season before the trading deadline in late October. If we're somehow 5-3 or better, and very much in the playoff race, perhaps he'll feel better that this isn't a rebuilding team.

If we're struggling and have a losing record and he's still frustrated and not happy I would promise him a trade to a contender a day or two before the in-season trading deadline. Either way, both sides can at least be happy and see what happens. Nobody knows for sure the Texans are rebuilding. I think we can challenge for an AFC wild-card spot this year.

This.

 

[mussop]

Andre Johnson is crucial to this team returning to its proper stature.

Ridiculous. Andre is my favorite player. Second all time only to Walter Peyton. I want him to stay and finish his career here as much or more than anyone. Having said that, he is 33 and will bring a HUGE cap hit next year. This team is being but for the future. If it wasn't we would of reached for a QB a lot sooner than the fourth round.

You don't keep 34 year old WR's with enormous contracts around as center peices on teams being built to win In the future. Even if Andre does stay and at and play well this year it is most likely his last at least in a texans uniform.

 

[76Texan]

Ridiculous. Andre is my favorite player. Second all time only to Walter Peyton. I want him to stay and finish his career here as much or more than anyone. Having said that, he is 33 and will bring a HUGE cap hit next year. This team is being but for the future. If it wasn't we would of reached for a QB a lot sooner than the fourth round.

You don't keep 34 year old WR's with enormous contracts around as center peices on teams being built to win In the future. Even if Andre does stay and at and play well this year it is most likely his last at least in a texans uniform.

It's not like our division is highly competitive at the moment.
I still give the Texans a shot to win it if they can just stay relatively healthy.

 

[Pantherstang84]

you dont know that.

AT ALL.

NOBODY DOES.

Until they play. Fact of the matter is, there were QBs with first, second, and third round grades. We waited till the 4th to address the most important position and our most weakest position.

What if Manziel is the real deal?
What if Blake bortles becomes a pro bowler?
What if Teddy Bridgewater becomes a pro bowler?

How would we look?

You give yourself a chance to find out.

Texans didnt do that and basiclly wasted not only a chance to draft a quarterback with a higher potential than a 4th round pick, but wasted a fourth round pick on a QB that wont probably do anything but be a back up.

You better hope clowney is all that he is and all those other QBs fall flat on their faces.

dre was PISSED OFF because he knows our biggest problem is QB yet we waited till the 4th round to pick one.

He's seen this act before and its an act of treading water in a cesspool of mediocrity which is what this franchise has basically been its entire existence.

I have seen the bold above posted more than once in this rthread and have to call BS on the notion that #80 is pissed because of the failure to draft a QB earlier in the draft. I know I let facts get in the way but here is an important one.

This deal with AJ started before the draft. I repeat BEFORE the draft. It has nothing to do regarding the results of the 2014 draft in my opinion. The reason I say this is because he skipped a voluntary mini-camp that took place before the draft not after it. I think he is just tired of this organization being stuck in neutral. However, he has culpability here. He is the one who signed the long term deal. No one put a gun to his head and made him sign it. What did the man honestly think was going to happen after a 2-14 season? Of course the Texans are rebuilding. He really only has option if he is determined to take his toys and go home. Retire!

He says he hasn't asked for a trade. I take him at his word. However, has his agent asked for a trade?

He is not bigger than the organization. I am a Texans fan first.

 

[TheMatrix31]

I'm not sure where I criticized the Texans for generating wealth. I just pointed out that a rich athlete and a rich corporation aren't really that different and don't earn "undying loyalty" from me.

I like money. I like good businesses and consider myself pro-business. I like good people, although I'm not sure I'd be considered a "people person".

Here:

It isn't that clear cut for me. Do I want what is best for a guy who is by most accounts a good person, or what is best for a for-profit corporation?

I know I don't feel undying loyalty for say, my cell phone provider.....

You compared Andre Johnson as a good guy to the Houston Texans, who you say are a "for-profit corporation," with the insinuation there being a difference between Andre Johnson who is inherently good and a corporation which is inherently bad.

Then you offered up the analogy of a cell-phone provider and how you wouldn't have any undying allegiance to them, implying that you view the Texans as no better than a cell-phone provider.

You actually didn't place Andre Johnson and the Houston Texans on the same plane at all as you did in your subsequent post, again demonizing wealth by attempting to convey the notion that since both are rich, both are of "the same ilk."

At least that's how I took your commentary. I'm confident that many others understood it in the same fashion.

 

[mussop]

It's not like our division is highly competitive at the moment.
I still give the Texans a shot to win it if they can just stay relatively healthy.

The point i was trying to make was that Andre at this point in his career, isn't crucial to this teams future.

 

[b0ng]

It just makes too much sense to trade him. Lots of positives very few negatives if any at all in terms of this teams future.

Positives
Gain 3.7 million in cap space.
No dead money next year.
You are doing right by a player that has been a consummate professional for 12 years.
You're getting something in return for him. He's 33 the window to get anything for him is about to slam shut.

Negatives
?????

Well here's one negative:

1. You do not have Andre Johnson on the team any more.

He's hemmed and hawed before during offseasons about money or whatever and then showed up. If he's not at TC then he's serious about possibly not being a Texan in 2014, but I don't think you trade him yet. At best, I think you might get a low round pick for him due to age and his contract since this has come out.

Basically the only teams who could be in an actual position to take his cap hit and have a need at the position, are teams that are basically in the same boat as the Texans: Raiders, Jets, Browns (Now that Gordon is probably gone for the year). Since this stuff has come out in the national media, nobody is going to be ponying up 3rds or 4ths for AJ, because they know that if the Texans are picking up that phone to make calls to other GM's then he's told them he wants out. Any team he might want to go to to ring chase will smartly wait for him to hit free agency, and if he doesn't it's not a huge loss for them.

 

[TheMatrix31]

One of the best wide receivers in the league is crucial to a team trying to prove that last year was an aberration.

Of course, to those who already have their minds made up as to the status of the 2014 Houston Texans, Andre Johnson is not relevant to this franchise's present or future. I suppose with the impenetrable juggernauts that are the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans that we should just wave our Liberty White, Steel Blue, and Battle Red flags in surrender. Let them all have mercy on our lowly squad.

 

[Playoffs]

Post draft depression because Texans didn't upgrade QB...

Nope. Andre let the team know about his feelings before the draft. Has nothing to do with they didn't draft "this" or "that" QB.

He's verklempt.

 

[76Texan]

The point i was trying to make was that Andre at this point in his career, isn't crucial to this teams future.

To me, he is; for at least a couple more years.
The Texans need him to get a shot at the division.

And based on the top WR salries, I think that guaranteeing him some money (not increasing it) is fair.

http://www.spotrac.com/rankings/nfl/average/wide-receiver/

Just bring the guarantee level up to par is what I'm saying.

 

[Playoffs]

John McClain ‏@McClain_on_NFL

Andre Johnson isn't going anywhere. He won't get traded. He isn't retiring. They'll get it worked out with AJ. They always do.

 

[Dan B.]

John McClain ‏@McClain_on_NFL

That settles it. He's out the door now.

 

[The Pencil Neck]

John McClain ‏@McClain_on_NFL

This worries me.

Before, not worried.

But if McClain says a deal is going to get done and don't worry about it, I'm worried.

 

[Spled]

The latest rumor is Mallet and a third rounder for Dre.

 

[Kgbmedic]

Aside from the long tenure with only two seasons of going to the playoffs. I think Ed Reed May have a bit to do with where his head is at now.
He comes in with a ring on his finger. I surmise he was probably in his ear if not still saying why Are you wasting your talents here? Just a thought that crossed my mind

 

[mussop]

Well here's one negative:

1. You do not have Andre Johnson on the team any more.

He's hemmed and hawed before during offseasons about money or whatever and then showed up. If he's not at TC then he's serious about possibly not being a Texan in 2014, but I don't think you trade him yet. At best, I think you might get a low round pick for him due to age and his contract since this has come out.

And I'll counter that with this. Is having Andre for one more year going to make us a playoff team next year? Is it worth having 15 million (or whatever it is) dollars count against the cap next year? Is it worth the distraction it will cause in the locker room of a team that is just getting started developing a new atmosphere? Andre is the most respected player this team has ever had. What kind of a message is it going to send to the team if we force him to be here?


Atlanta gave a second round choice for a 33 year old Tony Gonzalez. His contract is not the problem that has been reported. We could ask for a conditional pick. Tell them we will take a fourth with conditions that could improve that up to a second.

 

[mussop]

That settles it. He's out the door now.

You beat me to it!

 

[76Texan]

[E=Spled;2340769]The latest rumor is Mallet and a third rounder for Dre.[/QUOTE]

The problem is that The Pats don't have the cap space to accommodate AJ's base salary.
Cutting any of their top 3 receivers would result in a negative impact on their cap space.
So, it's not doable.

 

[ObsiWan]

All this talk of what AJ deserves, what's best for AJ....

It's bullcrap!

What's best for the Texans?

It's best for the Texans that their most potent offensive weapon remains a Texan.

 

[drs23]

What if Manziel is the real deal?
What if Blake bortles becomes a pro bowler?
What if Teddy Bridgewater becomes a pro bowler?

What if my Aunt had grapes? She'd be my uncle.

What if Tom Savage takes us to 3-4 Superb Owls in a row?

See, I know how to play that asinine game as well....