Andre Johnson released - cut by Colts - signs with Titans

[Double Barrel]

My how time flies. I remember when Houston was as proud of the Eighth Wonder of the World as it was of NASA and the Spaghetti Bowl and before the Medical Center was anything more than a few Hospitals fairly close together. Westheimer was still West of Houston and not West Houston.

Now it's something that need's to be exorcised?

I remember being in awe of the Astrodome. It was truly a great place to go to as a kid, and every time we went there it felt like an adventure. I can still remember the feeling of coming out of the concourse and looking up, almost getting a vertigo feeling...

But yeah, times change: Astrodome to remain a rusting ship forever (from the NSZ, but you already know since you posted in that thread, as well)

Unfortunately, no team that called the place home ever accomplished anything of significance while playing there. The Astros finally made it to a World Series to be swept when they went to Enron...errr.....Minutemaid. And the Oilers/Titans finally made it to a Super Bowl to come up one yard short when they moved to Tennessee.

I learned a long time ago not to cheer for the player, only the team. It's a tough business, if AJ wants to stick it to Houston and play for Indy then by all means go right ahead. I will find it absolutely hilarious if he goes and plays for them and it turns out to be the first season that the Texans win in Indy.

I learned that lesson long ago, as well, but let myself get caught up in the idea of A.J. being a Texan his entire career.

In hindsight, I knew better.

And yeah, it would be ironic if the Texans finally win in Indy with A.J. on the wrong sideline. Even better if Mallett ends up being the great QB that he always wanted in Houston.

 

[Txn_in_FL]

And yeah, it would be ironic if the Texans finally win in Indy with A.J. on the wrong sideline. Even better if Mallett ends up being the great QB that he always wanted in Houston.

This.

If Hakeem can finish his career playing for the Raptors then nothing is set in stone.

 

[paycheck71]

This.

If Hakeem can finish his career playing for the Raptors then nothing is set in stone.

It was the Raptors. It wasn't the Jazz or the Spurs... Anyway, just need to beat Indy up there, wind the division and not worry about it.

 

[Bulls on Parade]

This.

If Hakeem can finish his career playing for the Raptors then nothing is set in stone.

The Raptors weren't a hated division rival that has basically owned us since our expansion season in 2002, including a 13-0 record against the Texans in Indianapolis. But Andre Johnson and Frank Gore are two aging veterans who could go down any game with an injury. If this is the best the Colts can do then bring it on. I can't wait until the Texans beat them twice in 2015. We have more young talent than the Colts minus the quarterback position but a Mallett and Hoyer combination will be good enough if one of them stays healthy for the entire year.

 

[Blake]

If true, how did Andre screw up? He mistakenly wins the division a couple of times to finish his career? He accidentally got in contention for a Super Bowl?

In my opinion the Texans screwed up by not working out a deal that works for both sides, and Andre screwed up by going to my most hated rival.

You don't have to agree with me. But I feel that Andre should go somewhere else other than to the team that has been the bane of his old teams existence for over a decade. He may feel like he is getting over on the Texans brass, but he is also giving the middle finger to some of his old fans.

 

[Txn_in_FL]

The Raptors weren't a hated division rival that has basically owned us since our expansion season in 2002, including a 13-0 record against the Texans in Indianapolis. But Andre Johnson and Frank Gore are two aging veterans who could go down any game with an injury. If this is the best the Colts can do then bring it on. I can't wait until the Texans beat them twice in 2015. We have more young talent than the Colts minus the quarterback position but a Mallett and Hoyer combination will be good enough if one of them stays healthy for the entire year.

Who he's playing for isn't the point. The point was brought up in reference to the idea of thinking a player would be around forever. It doesn't happen anymore. It's business. If the Colts pay the most then he plays for the Colts. Fans get attached to employees of a company. I enjoy watching JJ Watt play, but if bigger money comes along when this contract is up he'll move along just like AJ. The team is more important than the player.

 

[Wolf]

Andre wants a ring ...bottom line.

Who he play for doesn't matter. I have a feeling we'd ***** anyway about any team in the afc

Plus Indy is a dome team so he has that over the others .....

 

[Double Barrel]

APlus Indy is a dome team so he has that over the others .....

yeah, a dome team....with artificial turf. I would think that the turf would be a consideration to a 34 yo player, but that's just my fan perspective.

 

[CretorFrigg]

Thought about it some more, and I've come to the conclusion that I don't care. AJ is just going to be another overpaid free agent based on his past performances, not what he's able to contribute in the future.

If he signs with the Colts, I wish him nothing but the worst and hope we kick the living **** out of them twice next season.

 

[False Start]

I'm an Andre Johnson fan, period. I'll cheer for him except twice a year. It's gonna be painful seeing him with that jackass shoe on his helmet, but I'll still hope for him to succeed.

 

[Runner]

In my opinion the Texans screwed up by not working out a deal that works for both sides, and Andre screwed up by going to my most hated rival.

You don't have to agree with me. But I feel that Andre should go somewhere else other than to the team that has been the bane of his old teams existence for over a decade. He may feel like he is getting over on the Texans brass, but he is also giving the middle finger to some of his old fans.

That's okay. Some of his old fans have been giving him the middle finger.

It's just business.

 

[thunderkyss]

If AJ goes to the Colts I hope for nothing more than for Luck to break his leg and the Colts to go 4-12.

The Texans didn't trade you to Oakland for a 7th round pick, AJ. Have the decency to keep it out of the division.

In a way, I agree with this.

On the other hand, if we're a "new" Texans, RickyBobby should have no problem getting 53 guys fired up to beat one "fired up" guy.

If anyone on our team comes out with, "It's just another game." BS... I'm going to start smuggling bear & hot pockets into NRG.

 

[Kimmy]

Like our turf is better?

yeah, a dome team....with artificial turf. I would think that the turf would be a consideration to a 34 yo player, but that's just my fan perspective.

 

[Blake]

That's okay. Some of his old fans have been giving him the middle finger.

It's just business.

haha. Fair enough. By this logic he shouldnt be surprised if say NRG stadium boos his ass when he returns.

Hopefully he wises up and goes to the Packers.

 

[Kimmy]

*side note

Hard to believe a post about AJ is in the NFL forum and not TT main page. sighs

 

[texan279]

Not to knock Luck, but if AJ wants to play for a "great QB", why not Brady or Manning or Rodgers? I thought I read New England and Green Bay would be interested.

 

[texan279]

*side note

Hard to believe a post about AJ is in the NFL forum and not TT main page. sighs

Meh. Honestly I'm over it. I was over it before it was official. Always loved AJ, but this is business. Always respected what he did on and off the field for Houston. But if he signs with Indy f him.

 

[htowntexans1985]

I'm an Andre Johnson fan, period. I'll cheer for him except twice a year. It's gonna be painful seeing him with that jackass shoe on his helmet, but I'll still hope for him to succeed.

False, if he goes to the clots, you'd have to root against him 16 games a season. Not just twice a year.

 

[Lucky]

Now, if he's received interest from the Packers but chooses the Colts, then I could not help but wonder if personal feelings came into play.

I'm thinking, of course personal feelings are in play. The guy wants to win, and show the Texans brass they screwed up. Is there a better place to do that than Indy? I don't think so.

 

[Runner]

Comparing the cap saved and Andre's production only looks at part of the equation. So what is the calculus of losing Andre?

X = Y + Z + t

where:

X = cap hit money saved
Y = Andre's production 800-1000 yards(?) if Mallett is indeed a good quarterback. Maybe 700 yards, maybe 1200 yards. Hard to say looking at his past three years performance and quarterbacks.
Z = resources used to replace Andre's production - first/second draft round pick? Money for a free agent? If it is a draft pick, that is a resource that could have been used elsewhere.
t = time for that resource to replace Andre's production. Might be zero. In case of a draft pick, it might be a year or two.

I doubt the above equation is correct - it is most likely and inequality, either:

a) X < Y + Z + t

b) X > Y + Z + t

I think the answer is a).

I need to update the inequality based on new information.

X < Y + Z + t + I + D

Where I represents intangibles and D is Andre improving a division rival.

Hope the Texans use the cap space wisely.

 

[texan279]

 

[mussop]

Gore and Johnson will go to Indy.

 

[False Start]

False, if he goes to the clots, you'd have to root against him 16 games a season. Not just twice a year.

Not necessarily, he good have a great season, and the Colts could have a down season....

 

[Kaiser Toro]

Gore and Johnson will go to Indy.

Colts are getting older, I like

 

[TexanBacker93]

As stated by others, if he really just wants to win a ring in the next 2 years he should go to Seattle, GB, Denver, or New England. Indy won't be there. If he ends up signing with the Colts it's purely to send a big FU to the Texans organization.

I don't think McNair, O'Brien, Smith, or anyone else in the front office really cares where he goes. The ones that do are the fans. The ones that supported and rooted for him over the last 12 years. The ones that suffered with him through losing seasons, but weren't getting millions of dollars to play the game. There are only 2 teams that would be painful to see him play for: Dallas and Indianapolis. He shows little class going to Indianapolis first. I won't cry that he didn't experience winning like other greats. He was well paid over his career. If he does end up in Indy I hope we finally beat the Colts on the road. In fact I'd like it to be in the AFC Championship game.

If he ends up going somewhere else or somehow comes back I'll take back what I've said and welcome him with open arms, but I view him as a traitor if he ends up going to the Colts. It's like your wife leaving you after 12 years of marriage to shack up with your big brother that always picked on you.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

yeah, a dome team....with artificial turf. I would think that the turf would be a consideration to a 34 yo player, but that's just my fan perspective.

That's one of the things I mentioned to Playoffs right off the bat.

 

[CloakNNNdagger]

I'm thinking, of course personal feelings are in play. The guy wants to win, and show the Texans brass they screwed up. Is there a better place to do that than Indy? I don't think so.

I may be one of the only ones that sees AJ within a new environment and under great expectations, being overused beyond what his body can realistically still endure, thus leading to a career down turn while exposing him to an injury-riddled season. Time will tell

 

[thunderkyss]

As stated by others, if he really just wants to win a ring in the next 2 years he should go to Seattle, GB, Denver, or New England. Indy won't be there. If he ends up signing with the Colts it's purely to send a big FU to the Texans organization.

Depends. If they pay him $10.5M like they said they would, that's probably the only team on his list. I doubt Greenbay, Seattle, or Denver would fork up that kind of money for him. I know New England won't.

 

[xtruroyaltyx]

Colts are getting older, I like

Replacing Wayne with Andre makes the younger.

 

[kingtexan]

*side note

Hard to believe a post about AJ is in the NFL forum and not TT main page. sighs

AJ isn't a Texan.

 

[Sigma]

I'm thinking, of course personal feelings are in play. The guy wants to win, and show the Texans brass they screwed up. Is there a better place to do that than Indy? I don't think so.

I remember reading somewher last year that he likes warm climates, maybe that was a factor too.

 

[kingtexan]

I remember reading somewher last year that he likes warm climates, maybe that was a factor too.

Geography much?

 

[Runner]

This interest in Andre by the Colts explains why Andre's agent first asked to be free to seek trades and then asked that Andre be released. While many thought this was some indication that Andre was lying or there was some deep nefarious purpose, it was really much simpler. When Andre looked at teams and the Colts showed interest, it was probably pretty clear the Colts and Texans wouldn't be too interested in making a trade. Ergo, the request for a release.

 

[Kaiser Toro]

Replacing Wayne with Andre makes the younger.

Gore and his knees are part of the equation. No Gore, no AJ.

 

[fmdog44]

Sorry to say the Colts moves so far look like it is going to be two games we would rather forget this coming season especially if AJ signs. The Colts are going for the ring this coming season because Luck is due a wheel barrel full of money next year.

 

[infantrycak]

From PFT.com

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Johnson plans to take his time in picking his next team. Johnson, according to the source, is considering eight different teams at this point.

The Colts got the first visit, and Johnson may eventually sign with one of the chief rivals of the franchise with which he spent a dozen years. But his first shot at free agency most likely won’t be ending quickly.

Retract the claws kitties.

 

[Runner]

From PFT.com



Retract the claws kitties.

That story is obviously a plant so that the Texans don't start game planning against his evil self. I'm surprised you fell for it.

 

[Mr teX]

Even if he does have a few seasons left, it was still a prudent move for the Texans to do what they did. Sure its going to hurt, but these are the types of moves winning franchises have to make often. Emmitt, Jerry & Joe...if those guys can get traded/released AJ is no exception.

He's got about a 2 year window to make it happen though. After that, father time won't just be calling him on the phone only to be hung up on, he'll be paying him a visit in person.

 

[infantrycak]

Even if he does have a few seasons left, it was still a prudent move for the Texans to do what they did. Sure its going to hurt, but these are the types of moves winning franchises have to make often. Emmitt, Jerry & Joe...if those guys can get traded/released AJ is no exception.

He's got about a 2 year window to make it happen though. After that, father time won't just be calling him on the phone only to be hung up on, he'll be paying him a visit in person.

Folks keep bringing up Emmitt Jerry & Joe. None are the least bit comparable:

Emmitt was a free agent. They didn't come to an agreement on a new contract.

Joe Montana missed almost 2 freaking years and Young was an All Pro during his absence. Nobody carries 2 proven All Pro QBs.

Jerry Rice was also a free agent and was 3 years older than AJ. Again, they didn't reach a new contract.

None of these guys are examples of the wisdom of winning teams cutting players because they are being paid too much.

 

[Double Barrel]

Like our turf is better?

If you read that thread, there is clear support that the guys that actually play on these fields prefer the natural grass over artificial turf.

A.J. never experienced an injury at Reliant/NRG due to the grass in 12 seasons, and he would often be held out of practices in the bubble because of the potential negative effects of the artificial turf on his aging body.

I may be one of the only ones that sees AJ within a new environment and under great expectations, being overused beyond what his body can realistically still endure, thus leading to a career down turn while exposing him to an injury-riddled season. Time will tell

That's a very good point. He's still a no. 1 WR in his mind, but reality is that 16 games of a heavy workload might leave just a little in the tank for a postseason push.

Luck is a good QB, but he's not elite. I'm not convinced that the Colts are a lock to make it back to the AFC championship game. Heck, if the Texans can put the right pieces together, I think both teams battle it out for the AFC south division title.

I'd love nothing more than to see the Colts finish the season on the outside looking in and the Texans carrying the division title into the playoffs. I do not see this as a long shot, but something we should be looking forward to seeing play out. The Texans have got a much better defense than the Colts, and if Mallett can consistently be what we saw in Cleveland, it's anyone's division this season.

 

[OzzO]

Depends. If they pay him $10.5M like they said they would, that's probably the only team on his list. I doubt Greenbay, Seattle, or Denver would fork up that kind of money for him. I know New England won't.

If AJ stays there, better get it quick before Luck's next contract kicks in

 

[Mr teX]

Folks keep bringing up Emmitt Jerry & Joe. None are the least bit comparable:

Emmitt was a free agent. They didn't come to an agreement on a new contract.

Joe Montana missed almost 2 freaking years and Young was an All Pro during his absence. Nobody carries 2 proven All Pro QBs.

Jerry Rice was also a free agent and was 3 years older than AJ. Again, they didn't reach a new contract.

None of these guys are examples of the wisdom of winning teams cutting players because they are being paid too much.

Of course it's not an apples to apples comparision, but people keep bringing them up in this instance because like AJ, they all are examples of fan favorite HOF studs whom went on to play for other teams when no fan wanted nor could envision seeing them doing so after being with a franchise for so long. How or why it actually happened is irrelevant. Seeing Emmitt Smith trotting out in a damn cardinals uniform was just wierd....& Jerry Rice...............in a raiders uniform was downright blasphemy in my mind..

 

[Kimmy]

Actually, he did. Open field running towards the south endzone and he went down.

At any rate, it's a moo point. Doesn't matter, like a cow, it's moo.

If you read that thread, there is clear support that the guys that actually play on these fields prefer the natural grass over artificial turf.

A.J. never experienced an injury at Reliant/NRG due to the grass in 12 seasons, and he would often be held out of practices in the bubble because of the potential negative effects of the artificial turf on his aging body.

 

[Mr teX]

If you read that thread, there is clear support that the guys that actually play on these fields prefer the natural grass over artificial turf.

A.J. never experienced an injury at Reliant/NRG due to the grass in 12 seasons, and he would often be held out of practices in the bubble because of the potential negative effects of the artificial turf on his aging body.



That's a very good point. He's still a no. 1 WR in his mind, but reality is that 16 games of a heavy workload might leave just a little in the tank for a postseason push.

Luck is a good QB, but he's not elite. I'm not convinced that the Colts are a lock to make it back to the AFC championship game. Heck, if the Texans can put the right pieces together, I think both teams battle it out for the AFC south division title.

I'd love nothing more than to see the Colts finish the season on the outside looking in and the Texans carrying the division title into the playoffs. I do not see this as a long shot, but something we should be looking forward to seeing play out. The Texans have got a much better defense than the Colts, and if Mallett can consistently be what we saw in Cleveland, it's anyone's division this season.

This is kinda how i feel as well. Them snagging AJ doesn't put them over the top in my mind. Back in the early years of this franchise when we had to try to beat a prime Manning every year...that was about as insurmountable, a task as i remember in terms of us being able to beat a team. Got a little of that those 2 years we faced off against NE in the playoffs too.
With this new Andrew Luck led reboot of the Colts, I've never felt that way. Every time we've played them I've always felt like we have a good shot to beat them. Furthermore we've always played them well even in the 2-14 year & these offensive additions don't help their biggest deficiencies on defense either.

So whatever, let them get the last few years of AJ's playing career, I see a few deep playoff runs but i don't think it puts them over the top and makes them a serious contender.

 

[paycheck71]

Actually, he did. Open field running towards the south endzone and he went down.

At any rate, it's a moo point. Doesn't matter, like a cow, it's moo.

The game vs the Steelers a couple of years back? I don't see how that was due to the field conditions.

 

[infantrycak]

Of course it's not an apples to apples comparision, but people keep bringing them up in this instance because like AJ, they all are examples of fan favorite HOF studs whom went on to play for other teams when no fan wanted nor could envision seeing them doing so after being with a franchise for so long. How or why it actually happened is irrelevant. Seeing Emmitt Smith trotting out in a damn cardinals uniform was just wierd....& Jerry Rice...............in a raiders uniform was downright blasphemy in my mind..

It is absolutely relevant. This isn't about fan disappointment. It's about the justification for why it should be done despite fan disappointment. They are brought up as examples of decisions by "winning franchises" exactly as you did. The assertion is winning teams make tough business decisions like cutting AJ. Not in these examples they didn't.

In fact just the opposite. As Emmitt and Jerry got to the last 2 years of their top of the league contracts and weren't producing to their pay the Cowboys and Niners paid out their entire contracts anyway.

Actually, he did. Open field running towards the south endzone and he went down..

Pulled a hammy. Had nothing to do with the field.

 

[Runner]

If AJ stays there, better get it quick before Luck's next contract kicks in

I think that's probably the plan since he only wants to play a couple more years.

 

[Double Barrel]

Actually, he did. Open field running towards the south endzone and he went down.

At any rate, it's a moo point. Doesn't matter, like a cow, it's moo.

Actually, that's nothing but pure speculation.

Provide something credible that supports it.

He pulled a hamstring because he landed wrong, by his own words: "Johnson talks through the catch, the landing, the pop he felt in the center of his right thigh and the tightness he still feels." Source: "F'n hammy"

Check this out - science:

The American Journal of Sports Medicine published a study titled “An Analysis of Specific Lower Extremity Injury Rates on Grass and Field Turf Playing Surfaces in NFL Games” in Sept. 2012. The study, which was affiliated with countless orthopedic surgery clinics across the United States, sampled all of the 2,680 NFL games that were played between 2000-2009 (2,002 games on natural grass and 678 games on Field Turf). In the NFL, there exists a committee called the Injury Surveillance System (ISS) that includes doctors and statisticians who analyze NFL injuries and strive to make the game as medically safe as possible. The study data included 1,528 knee sprains and 1,503 ankle sprains that were acknowledged by the ISS over the 10-year span.

The results? At a 95% confidence level, knee sprains were 22% higher on Field Turf than on natural grass. Increases of 67% and 31% for ACL sprains and eversion ankle sprains (overextending the inner part of the ankle), respectively, were noticed on Field Turf versus natural grass.

Source: Artificial Turf vs Natural Grass: What You Need to Know

 

[Honoring Earl 34]

It is absolutely relevant. This isn't about fan disappointment. It's about the justification for why it should be done despite fan disappointment. They are brought up as examples of decisions by "winning franchises" exactly as you did. The assertion is winning teams make tough business decisions like cutting AJ. Not in these examples they didn't.

In fact just the opposite. As they Emmitt and Jerry got to the last 2 years of their top of the league contracts and weren't producing to their pay the Cowboys and Niners paid out their entire contracts anyway.



Pulled a hammy. Had nothing to do with the field.

Yup ... you can't be for progress but totally against change .

A couple of years ago the 49ers had 30 players making a million or more while the Texans had 16 . The 49ers were really good and the Texans were really bad .

 

[Runner]

The Andre Johnson thread is turning into a playing field thread? Stop. Stop!

Arrrgghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!