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

[EllisUnit]

Why does everybody assume AJ is underpaid rather than other guys being overpaid?

yep, i know many professions that should be paid more than these guys.

 

[thunderkyss]

True, but he is currently being overpaid. He is delusional if he believes any team in the NFL would willingly pay him more than he is scheduled to make under the current contract.

I seriously doubt he wants "more money" if anything he wants more guaranteed money as in there ain't none left in his current deal.

I can't imagine any team out there not willing to give him a signing bonus in the $20M neighborhood. I'd bet he'd be willing to drop his salary to $5M for a fat check.

The Texans probably don't want to do that since he's still got $6M ~ of dead money on the books still.

 

[Marshall]

The Bottomline: At this stage in his career, AJ doesn't want to go back to square 1 and start catching passes from Fitz.

Maybe, maybe not. Unless you hear it from him AND you believe what he's saying, then we are only speculating. I hope he simply retires if he's lost the desire to be a team mate.

 

[Marshall]

Unfortunately I'm not sure the current Texans brain trust sees it this way. Their point of view is more likely in the line of thinking that AJ is the bank. Should the need arise and it usually does, if the Texans need to borrow money from 2015 and 2016 to fully pay for the 2014 53 man roster, as has been the practice the last 3 years, they've always been able to restructure AJ's contract in order to make it happen. He's good for a $5-$8 million restructure. Trading AJ takes away that security blanket. IMHO a security blanket that needs to be taken away as it is the direct result of the Texans salary cap hell.

AJ has benefited from those restructurings too. It's not as if he was giving them something that hurt him. They simply exchanged non guaranteed money for guaranteed money and both benefited.

If he wants more money, then let him "retire". If he's just tired, then be magnanimous.

 

[Texian]

AJ has benefited from those restructurings too. It's not as if he was giving them something that hurt him. They simply exchanged non guaranteed money for guaranteed money and both benefited.

If he wants more money, then let him "retire". If he's just tired, then be magnanimous.

Not really. For example if the Texans wanted AJ to restructure again this year, like they have the last 3 years, they could write AJ a check today for $7 million. The Texans benefit because they get $7 million in cap relief this year, AJ still gets the same $10 million salary in 2014 that he always would. The remaining $3 million would be paid over the 17 week season (the cap savings). So there is no real benefit to AJ. Texans would not restructure AJs contract if he wasn't going to be Texan, so the GTD vs NON GTD is not an issue. The $7 million in salary cap relief the Texans get in 2014 is spread over the remaining two years of AJ's contract, $3.5 mil in 2015 and $3.5 in 2016. The benefit to the Texans is they now have enough salary cap room to fully compensate a 53 man roster in 2014. The disadvantage to the Texans is once again the Texans have compromised and depleted the full value and amount of future years salary caps. This is the same pattern of behavior of the last 3 years.

I understand that many fans are emotionally attached to AJ and why they want AJ to remain a Texan, regardless. However, strictly from a business point of view, it's time for AJ to go and would be the smart thing to do. A page out of Bill Belichick's playbook. AJ is at an age when all the great WRs skills begin to decline. Going forward AJ is only going to be less effective. So even if the Texans only get a 3rd draft pick for AJ that's fine. The big gain from AJ leaving in 2014 is the $16 million salary cap space gained in 2015 nd the $14 million gained in 2016. That alone will make the Texans an enormously better football team.

Keeping AJ is Coach Think. Trading AJ is GM Think.

 

[Rockville]

Not really. For example if the Texans wanted AJ to restructure again this year, like they have the last 3 years, they could write AJ a check today for $7 million. The Texans benefit because they get $7 million in cap relief this year, AJ still gets the same $10 million salary in 2014 that he always would. So there is no real benefit to AJ.

Seems the $7M check in this scenario is a benefit to AJ.

 

[Texian]

Seems the $7M check in this scenario is a benefit to AJ.

Why? He's still getting paid the exact same salary over the coarse of the season. At the end of week 17 AJ will have been paid the same with or without restructuring his contract.

 

[texanhead08]

I know AJ has done a lot for this team, but I see no reason to give him a new deal at his age. I also have no problem with cutting/trading him after this season, but no matter how much he pouts and cries its not happening this year and it would be in his best interest to show up and play.

 

[Texecutioner]

WHy is this thread still going?

You guys haven't realized yet that AJ is going nowhere? He can't get traded. He has no leverage and neither does the team. AJ can retire or play. It's that simple. There is no reason to even ponder about it at this point. He'll be back a few weeks before the season and he'll be behind. We're not going to compete for anything major this year any way so it's not a big deal. It's just a minor setback. Now move on. This is such a non story at this point. It's pretty obvious about what is going to happen and what will happen eventually.

 

[paycheck71]

Why? He's still getting paid the exact same salary over the coarse of the season. At the end of week 17 AJ will have been paid the same with or without restructuring his contract.

Would you rather have $7MM today (guaranteed) or maybe (not guaranteed) over the next 3 years?

 

[Texian]

Would you rather have $7MM today (guaranteed) or maybe (not guaranteed) over the next 3 years?

If AJ is on the roster day 1 of the start of the season his 2014 salary is GTD. The Texans wouldn't restructure AJ's salary if he wasn't gong to be on the 53 man roster, so again, the GTD vs NON GTD is irrelevant.

Why you're missing the point, the $7 million is part of his $10 million 2014 salary. AJ gets $10 million in 2014 regardless. The difference is instead of AJ $10 mil salary being part of the 2014 sal cap, the restructure moves $7 mil to 2015, 16 and only $3 mil now counts aginst the 14 cap.

What folks don't understand is when the Texans convert salary to a signing bonus the player gets the $ up front and the team moves those $ from the current year to future years. Familiarize yourself with the rules of restructuring to eliminate your salary cap confusion.

 

[Lord Bills]

imagine dre's stats if he played with at least one franchise qb.

smdh.

he's got amazing numbers for a guy who has never played with a franchise qb.

 

[Malloy]

imagine dre's stats if he played with at least one franchise qb.

smdh.

he's got amazing numbers for a guy who has never played with a franchise qb.

He's played with several franchise QBs

 

[Lord Bills]

He's played with several franchise QBs

:kubepalm:

 

[corytx8]

I seriously doubt he wants "more money" if anything he wants more guaranteed money as in there ain't none left in his current deal.

This ^

 

[TexansFanatic]

imagine dre's stats if he played with at least one franchise qb.

smdh.

he's got amazing numbers for a guy who has never played with a franchise qb.

Couple that fact with the fact that he's never really had a legitimate #2 wide receiver to take pressure off of him and it's his numbers are downright astonishing.

 

[ATXtexanfan]

dre can blow a goat. yup i said it.

 

[dalemurphy]

Couple that fact with the fact that he's never really had a legitimate #2 wide receiver to take pressure off of him and it's his numbers are downright astonishing.

I don't think that a better situation at QB would've helped AJ's numbers since 2007... With Sage and Schaub, the Texans were able to get the ball to AJ frequently (and often in space). A more dynamic offense would, perhaps, have led to more TDs by AJ but would also hamper his receptions and yards. Don't forget that Schaub's passing yards in 2009 and 2010 were in line with the elite QBs.

 

[xtruroyaltyx]

I've moved on mentally from Dre. I'm not expecting him to play for us anymore.

If he does I'll just be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Marshall]

Not really. For example if the Texans wanted AJ to restructure again this year, like they have the last 3 years, they could write AJ a check today for $7 million. The Texans benefit because they get $7 million in cap relief this year, AJ still gets the same $10 million salary in 2014 that he always would. The remaining $3 million would be paid over the 17 week season (the cap savings). So there is no real benefit to AJ. Texans would not restructure AJs contract if he wasn't going to be Texan, so the GTD vs NON GTD is not an issue. The $7 million in salary cap relief the Texans get in 2014 is spread over the remaining two years of AJ's contract, $3.5 mil in 2015 and $3.5 in 2016. The benefit to the Texans is they now have enough salary cap room to fully compensate a 53 man roster in 2014. The disadvantage to the Texans is once again the Texans have compromised and depleted the full value and amount of future years salary caps. This is the same pattern of behavior of the last 3 years.

I understand that many fans are emotionally attached to AJ and why they want AJ to remain a Texan, regardless. However, strictly from a business point of view, it's time for AJ to go and would be the smart thing to do. A page out of Bill Belichick's playbook. AJ is at an age when all the great WRs skills begin to decline. Going forward AJ is only going to be less effective. So even if the Texans only get a 3rd draft pick for AJ that's fine. The big gain from AJ leaving in 2014 is the $16 million salary cap space gained in 2015 nd the $14 million gained in 2016. That alone will make the Texans an enormously better football team.

Keeping AJ is Coach Think. Trading AJ is GM Think.

Converting 10M of non guaranteed money for 2014 base salary to even 7M of guaranteed money is beneficial to AJ. Presupposing he would earn non guaranteed money is presumptuous.

 

[steelbtexan]

Unfortunately I'm not sure the current Texans brain trust sees it this way. Their point of view is more likely in the line of thinking that AJ is the bank. Should the need arise and it usually does, if the Texans need to borrow money from 2015 and 2016 to fully pay for the 2014 53 man roster, as has been the practice the last 3 years, they've always been able to restructure AJ's contract in order to make it happen. He's good for a $5-$8 million restructure. Trading AJ takes away that security blanket. IMHO a security blanket that needs to be taken away as it is the direct result of the Texans salary cap hell.

And this is why the Texans are the Texans. That and they don't have a clue how to hire a competent medical staff. Until these 2 things happen the Texans will always be a bridesmaid but never a bride.

Hopefully this will be a new Texans era. Ive got my doubts though, because Smith and the same medical staff from 2002 are still employed by the McNair's.

 

[badboy]

Someone identify a replacement in 2015 draft. I don't see many but will focus on Jaelen Strong Arizona State and Austen Hill Arizona IF he is 100% after injury. 2012 was great but '13 not so hot post ACL.

 

[dc_txtech]

I've moved on mentally from Dre. I'm not expecting him to play for us anymore.

If he does I'll just be pleasantly surprised.

AJ will play for the Texans this year. You have dc_txtech's guarantee.

And this is why the Texans are the Texans. That and they don't have a clue how to hire a competent medical staff. Until these 2 things happen the Texans will always be a bridesmaid but never a bride.

Hopefully this will be a new Texans era. Ive got my doubts though, because Smith and the same medical staff from 2002 are still employed by the McNair's.

Same old schtick.

Predict failure
Anything less than SB champs is failure
97% chance of being correct
Tell everybody how right you were

Except this time instead of blaming the head coach you have a built in excuse of blaming everyone around him.

Someone identify a replacement in 2015 draft. I don't see many but will focus on Jaelen Strong Arizona State and Austen Hill Arizona IF he is 100% after injury. 2012 was great but '13 not so hot post ACL.

You don't "replace" Andre Johnson just like you don't replace Megatron or Adrian Peterson, you hope to do the best in their absence. Maybe 2 Hopkins, a receiving TE, and a pass catching RB make up for what you lose. But it's going to be difficult to "replace" AJ.

 

[Texian]

Converting 10M of non guaranteed money for 2014 base salary to even 7M of guaranteed money is beneficial to AJ. Presupposing he would earn non guaranteed money is presumptuous.

I don't think you understand how it works, AJ gets $10 mil in 2014 regardless of whether he restructures or not.

 

[steelbtexan]

AJ will play for the Texans this year. You have dc_txtech's guarantee.



Same old schtick.

Predict failure
Anything less than SB champs is failure
97% chance of being correct
Tell everybody how right you were

Except this time instead of blaming the head coach you have a built in excuse of blaming everyone around him.



You don't "replace" Andre Johnson just like you don't replace Megatron or Adrian Peterson, you hope to do the best in their absence. Maybe 2 Hopkins, a receiving TE, and a pass catching RB make up for what you lose. But it's going to be difficult to "replace" AJ.

Agree about AJ and you don't replace AJ. But the Texans have survived without AJ in the past and I'm sure they could do so again.

Until the Texans medical team changes the Texans org will always be behind the 8 ball. Clowney is another example of the Texans medical team screwing up regardless of how Clowney plays. I can say with 97% certainty that unless Clowney has those bone spurs removed that he will never be the player he could be.

Same old schtik? I don't think the Texans will be winning the SB next yr. If the defense improves a lot and they find the QB of the future I would consider that to be a great yr. But I know that it's much easier to just throw some crap against the wall and see if it sticks than to actually look at the underlying problems of the Texans org in the past and see what changes they have made to correct these issues. I understand you don't get my thought processes and am kinda glad that you don't get me.

PS, do you think that I really wanted to be right? That's crazy talk.

 

[Texian]

Agree about AJ and you don't replace AJ. But the Texans have survived without AJ in the past and I'm sure they could do so again.

Until the Texans medical team changes the Texans org will always be behind the 8 ball. Clowney is another example of the Texans medical team screwing up regardless of how Clowney plays. I can say with 97% certainty that unless Clowney has those bone spurs removed that he will never be the player he could be.

Same old schtik? I don't think the Texans will be winning the SB next yr. If the defense improves a lot and they find the QB of the future I would consider that to be a great yr. But I know that it's much easier to just throw some crap against the wall and see if it sticks than to actually look at the underlying problems of the Texans org in the past and see what changes they have made to correct these issues. I understand you don't get my thought processes and am kinda glad that you don't get me.

PS, do you think that I really wanted to be right? That's crazy talk.

I have been saying since 2011 that the Texans would be in a decline and would continue a downward spiral as long as they continued to live in salary cap hell. The two years that the Texan did have moderate success Matt Schaub was a Top 15 QB. Compounding the salary cap problem is the Texans have taken several steps backwards from that moderate level of QB success. Some folks understand this, some don't.

 

[Texian]

Someone identify a replacement in 2015 draft. I don't see many but will focus on Jaelen Strong Arizona State and Austen Hill Arizona IF he is 100% after injury. 2012 was great but '13 not so hot post ACL.

Sammie Coates, DeVante Parker, Ty Montgomery. - Unfortunately, knowing this needed to be addressed, the Texans passed on Donte Moncrief in the 3rd of this years draft. Ideally Moncrief would've been about as good a replacement you could've found for AJ.

 

[steelbtexan]

I have been saying since 2011 that the Texans would be in a decline and would continue a downward spiral as long as they continued to live in salary cap hell. The two years that the Texan did have moderate success Matt Schaub was a Top 15 QB. Compounding the salary cap problem is the Texans have taken several steps backwards from that moderate level of QB success. Some folks understand this, some don't.

YEP, or live in denial.

MSR

 

[DX-TEX]

http://overthecap.com/best-worst-contracts-2014-houston-texans/

The constant restructuring of Johnson’s contract make his deal hard to fathom as a good one (he has a $15.6 million cap hit in 2014), but there is no reason to move him from this spot this year. I’ve written about Johnson extensively on the site and it’s one of the most team friendly series of contracts for a superstar player in the history of the NFL.

This all started in 2007 when the Texans convinced Johnson to sign a 6 year extension for pennies on the dollar that would keep him in Houston until 2014. By 2010 Johnson realized how bad a contract this was as his salary was being jumped by far less talented players and tried to hold out, which resulted in a small raise and bigger incentives in exchange for two more contract years that would essentially block him from ever becoming an unrestricted free agent as he made the turn deeper into his 30′s as long as he remained a very productive player.

Since that initial contract Johnson has been named to five Pro Bowls, two All Pro teams and produced at least 1,400 yards in four of the last six seasons, many of which were spent catching passes from quarterbacks who were not exactly top of the NFL caliber players. He’s done all of this while playing somewhere in the ballpark of $6 million less a season than Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals, who has never approached the top end statistical seasons that Johnson has.

Not surprisingly, Johnson is threatening a hold out this year as he is locked into a bad deal that may see him get stuck on a bad team in 2014. Unfortunately for Johnson the holdout will cost him at least $1 million as the Texans wisely put safeguards in the contract in 2010 to strip him of a big roster bonus if he tried to hold out again and missed team activities. That was yet another concession Johnson made for that 2010 raise and it clearly looks to have been a big one.

While the Texans were never able to capitalize on Johnson’s contract to shuffle enough resources elsewhere to get to a Super Bowl, they did get themselves an absolute steal at one of the highest paid positions in the NFL.

Yeah his hold out isn't about money at all. Nope.

BTW, Uncle Melton the guy who is "advising" him to hold out is the same uncle who negotiated those contracts.

 

[76Texan]

I don't think you understand how it works, AJ gets $10 mil in 2014 regardless of whether he restructures or not.

I was rereading these pages, and I'm still not sure how it all works.

http://overthecap.com/a-guide-to-the-nfl-salary-cap/

http://overthecap.com/thoughts-andre-johnson-lessons-learned-contract/

I can't speak for others, but in my mind, if we're talking about more guaranteed money for AJ, it has to be beyond this year.

For example, Brady's contract stipulates that his salary for next year (2015) is guaranteed as soon the new league year starts in March of 2015.
He doesn't have to worry about getting himself hurt during the off-season, etc.

No matter what, I think we are just speculating at this point about what's been going on.

I'm not sure about trading AJ this year.
What is it that we can get in a trade.
Will that player and a saving of $2.6M be enough to compensate for his loss this year?

What happens if the Texans hold their ground and AJ chooses to retire?
What happens to the dead money?

 

[DX-TEX]

From what I have read dead money amount drops significantly if he retires. Due to playing back millions from up front money.

Dre has almost no leverage here. he used the "my team is terrible, pity me" routine and has the media eating out of his hands. IMO, it has backfired with the fans who went from sympathetic to "meh.just retire then"

 

[76Texan]

I have been saying since 2011 that the Texans would be in a decline and would continue a downward spiral as long as they continued to live in salary cap hell. The two years that the Texan did have moderate success Matt Schaub was a Top 15 QB. Compounding the salary cap problem is the Texans have taken several steps backwards from that moderate level of QB success. Some folks understand this, some don't.

I don't agree with this.
Nobody can ever predict the rash of injuries.

What I would agree with is that they could have been more thorough in investigating known possibilities of lingering effects from injuries to guys like Schaub, Wade Smith, Newton, Ed Reed, etc.

With Wade Smith's salary of $3.5M, for example, they could have found a replacement that is better. The same goes with Reed.

 

[DX-TEX]

Texian is right to an extent. Cant live in salary cap hell. But after this season with a few cuts ( Myers, Joseph, Foster?, ) Texans will be around 40 million under the cap. Add another 10 million if Dre is released.

 

[76Texan]

From what I have read dead money amount drops significantly if he retires. Due to playing back millions from up front money.

Dre has almost no leverage here. he used the "my team is terrible, pity me" routine and has the media eating out of his hands. IMO, it has backfired with the fans who went from sympathetic to "meh.just retire then"

It's clear as mud reading section 1.11 and 1.12 here:

http://www.askthecommish.com/SalaryCap/faq.aspx

 

[Texian]

It's clear as mud reading section 1.11 and 1.12 here:

http://www.askthecommish.com/SalaryCap/faq.aspx

Bingo and why teams always allocate approx $5 mil of the salary every year to go towards LTBEs, IR and the Practice squad.

 

[Texian]

Texian is right to an extent. Cant live in salary cap hell. But after this season with a few cuts ( Myers, Joseph, Foster?, ) Texans will be around 40 million under the cap. Add another 10 million if Dre is released.

Dre if traded reduces Texans salary cap number by $16 million in 2015 and $14 million in 2016. In addition they get $2 millionrelief in 2014 and a possible Top 100 draft pick. Sounds like a prudent business decision to me.

 

[76Texan]

Sammie Coates, DeVante Parker, Ty Montgomery. - Unfortunately, knowing this needed to be addressed, the Texans passed on Donte Moncrief in the 3rd of this years draft. Ideally Moncrief would've been about as good a replacement you could've found for AJ.

To me, Jordan Matthews probably comes a little closer to a potential AJ, even though Moncrief has a lot of potential as well.

Matthews shows sign of being physical, has deceptive speed and quickness (as shown at the combine.)
And he's also the type of guys that is no-nonsense.
He simply works hard and never worries about personal accolades.
(I guess being a cousin of Jerry Rice helps him in that regard. )
I would have been fine if the Texans had traded out of the first pick to get him and a future first rounder.

 

[Texian]

I don't agree with this.
Nobody can ever predict the rash of injuries.

One thing you can predict is there will be injuries, every year. It's part of the game. Why teams allocate and reserve approx $5 mil of the salary cap every year to replace players put on IR. Saying the Texans would have been a playoff team if Cushing and Foster had not gotten hurt is supposition, hypothetical, excuses. wishing and hoping.

 

[76Texan]

One thing you can predict is there will be injuries, every year. Why teams allocate and reserve approx $5 mil of the salary cap every year to replace players put on IR. Saying the Texans would have been a playoff team if Cushing and Foster had not gotten hurt is supposition, hypothetical, excuses. wishing and hoping.

It would have been true if the Texans didn't have a rash of injuries for several years now.

 

[76Texan]

Dre if traded reduces Texans salary cap number by $16 million in 2015 and $14 million in 2016. In addition they get $2 millionrelief in 2014 and a possible Top 100 draft pick. Sounds like a prudent business decision to me.

You can always cut him next year (assuming for a moment that this saga never happened.)

 

[Texian]

To me, Jordan Matthews probably comes a little closer to a potential AJ, even though Moncrief has a lot of potential as well.

Matthews shows sign of being physical, has deceptive speed and quickness (as shown at the combine.)
And he's also the type of guys that is no-nonsense.
He simply works hard and never worries about personal accolades.
(I guess being a cousin of Jerry Rice helps him in that regard. )
I would have been fine if the Texans had traded out of the first pick to get him and a future first rounder.

I like Matthews equally as well, the difference is I liked Moncrief's value in RD 3 #65. Matthews was long at #42.

Here is why I compared Donte Moncrief to Andre Johnson:

Johnson 6'2", 230 4.40 39 vert 11' BJ
Moncrief 6'2" 221, 4.34 39.5 vert, 11 BJ

Matthews 6'3" 212, 4.44 35.5 vert, 10 BJ

 

[Texian]

You can always cut him next year (assuming for a moment that this saga never happened.)

If you cut him next yr you won't get the $16 mil in cap relief in 2015. 2014 is the year to clean house in order to get better in 2015 and >.

 

[76Texan]

I like Matthews equally as well, the difference is I liked Moncrief's value in RD 3 #65. Matthews was long at #42.

Here is why I compared Donte Moncrief to Andre Johnson:

Johnson 6'2", 230 4.40 39 vert 11' BJ
Moncrief 6'2" 221, 4.34 39.5 vert, 11 BJ

Matthews 6'3" 212, 4.44 35.5 vert, 10 BJ

I believe the official time for Moncrief was 4.4

I think he would have gone much higher if it was 4.34

I never had the impression he ran anywhere near 4.4 during games. He was pretty fast, but never looked like a burner.
I'm sure a guy can still improve his speed some.
If Moncrief does, the Colts get themselves another steal.

 

[76Texan]

If you cut him next yr you won't get the $16 mil in cap relief in 2015. 2014 is the year to clean house in order to get better in 2015 and >.

True, but the difference in cash available is plenty enough to go after a deep free agent class.
Now if the Texans decide to "somewhat give up" on this season, it's another story.

 

[sandman]

Sammie Coates, DeVante Parker, Ty Montgomery. - Unfortunately, knowing this needed to be addressed, the Texans passed on Donte Moncrief in the 3rd of this years draft. Ideally Moncrief would've been about as good a replacement you could've found for AJ.

OK, I don't get this. They shored up D-line, O-line and the running game in the draft this year. Clear high priority needs on this team.

They spent a 1st rounder on a WR last year that had a Top 3 rookie production. They had a #1 WR that went for 109/1400.

I get that AJ is getting long in the tooth, but seriously? You would have spent a 3rd rounder in this draft, with all of these obvious needs, on a WR to eventually replace the guy who is still putting up Top 5 numbers?

That's like complaining about a door ding when your bumper is being held on by duct tape and bale wire.

 

[badboy]

AJ will play for the Texans this year. You have dc_txtech's guarantee.



Same old schtick.

Predict failure
Anything less than SB champs is failure
97% chance of being correct
Tell everybody how right you were

Except this time instead of blaming the head coach you have a built in excuse of blaming everyone around him.



You don't "replace" Andre Johnson just like you don't replace Megatron or Adrian Peterson, you hope to do the best in their absence. Maybe 2 Hopkins, a receiving TE, and a pass catching RB make up for what you lose. But it's going to be difficult to "replace" AJ.

Of course you replace AJ or any player when they leave. The quality of said replacement may not be equal or it could become better. I am not getting caught up in this argument that we had here 1-2 years ago. Everyone knows Johnson's history and stats but one day he will be replaced.

 

[Texian]

True, but the difference in cash available is plenty enough to go after a deep free agent class.
Now if the Texans decide to "somewhat give up" on this season, it's another story.

For me, Fitz = the Texans decide to "somewhat give up" on this season, it's another story.

 

[Texian]

I get that AJ is getting long in the tooth, but seriously? You would have spent a 3rd rounder in this draft, with all of these obvious needs, on a WR to eventually replace the guy who is still putting up Top 5 numbers?

That's like complaining about a door ding when your bumper is being held on by duct tape and bale wire.

You may not be aware that AJ is now at the same age as Randy Moss, Ocho Cinco and Terrell Owens when their skills began a NOTICEABLE decline. You may also not be aware that I think planning for 2016 and 2017 is just as important as planning for 2014. And you may also not be aware that it usually takes WR a year or two to reach their full potential in the NFL.

And if you car has dings and a bumper falling off, it's time to get a new car.

 

[Playoffs]

Donald Driver: 'Andre will be back'

“I’ve been through the same situation Andre’s in,” Driver said. “You feel like you want more. Normally, the organization knows what they want and the player knows what they want. Sometimes you have to meet in the middle. I think sooner or later they’re going to meet in the middle and Andre is going to be back at camp.”
...

“As long as he’s here for training camp, I guess that’s the biggest thing,” Driver said. “You know these minicamps and OTAs, do they really matter at the end of the day? No. As long as he’s here for training camp when the season is starting and is getting ready to kick off. Andre will be back. It’s just one of those things; it’s a business decision that we all have to deal with. It’s unfortunate.”
...

“Andre is here,” Driver said. “He isn’t going anywhere...”

 

[dalemurphy]

You may not be aware that AJ is now at the same age as Randy Moss, Ocho Cinco and Terrell Owens when their skills began a NOTICEABLE decline. You may also not be aware that I think planning for 2016 and 2017 is just as important as planning for 2014. And you may also not be aware that it usually takes WR a year or two to reach their full potential in the NFL.

And if you car has dings and a bumper falling off, it's time to get a new car.

Let's consider the makeup of the best NFL football teams... Which of these teams were dependent on elite, high 1st round WRs?

Seattle - no
San Fran - no
New England -no
Green Bay - no
Denver - D.Thomas

How about the last 7 Superbowl winners?:
Seattle
Baltimore
NYGiants
Green Bay
New Orleans
Pittsburgh
NYGiants

** none of those teams relied on a high first round pick at WR nor an elite free agent WR to win their championship. As a matter of a fact, those teams have a history of letting their top WRs walk and plugging in mid round picks to take over:

Example:
Green Bay- let guys like Javon Walker and Greg Jennings go in their prime- used guys like James Jones and Randal Cobb to replace them (mid round and unproven at the time)

New Orleans- Wow! Their only stud WR they drafted (Robert Meachem), they let him go as soon as they could, relying on journeymen and a 7th rounder: Colston.

Pittsburgh- look at their history over the last decade of amazing success. It's almost like they are determined to prove WRs aren't important- letting the following guys walk in their prime: Burress, Santonio Holmes, Mike Wallace go... They only WR they relied on for more than 3-4 years was a mid round pick without any of the measurables to go in round one: Hines Ward.


New England- Though Randy Moss certainly certainly made a huge impact on the offense, he was not on any of their 3 Superbowl winning teams... and, they dumped him quickly. Meanwhile, their Superbowl winning teams featured WRs like Troy Brown, Deion Branch, etc...

_ Also, don't forget that the Texans' best team/season was 2011- Essentially, KWalter was our #1 (AJ missed most of the season with injury)... Meanwhile, the worst season under Kubiak was last year- one of AJ's best seasons and certainly the most talented duo of WRs in the Texans short history.