Texans Release Andre Johnson

[texbumthelife]

Oh duh, I remember now. "The Vince Young combine."

 

[jobberone]

Texans release WR Andre Johnson
Updated: March 9, 2015, 5:14 PM ET
ESPN.com news services

Possible Landing Spots For Andre Johnson

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The "NFL Insiders" crew reacts to the news that the Texans have released Andre Johnson.
Tags: NFL, Andre Johnson, Houston Texans


The Texans have released Andre Johnson, ending the star wide receiver's 12-year tenure in Houston.

The Texans previously had given Johnson permission to seek a trade, while the seven-time Pro Bowler asked the team to release him.

AP Photo/Patric SchneiderAndre Johnson spent his entire 12-year career with the Texans and is the franchise's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.

Johnson had two years remaining on his contract and would have counted for $16.1 million against the Texans' salary cap in 2015. Houston saved $8.825 million in cap space by releasing him before June 1.

"After exhausting all options of a possible trade, we informed Andre Johnson that he would be released today, Texans general manager Rick Smith said in a statement. "No player in the history of this franchise has represented the team, city and community in a more professional way. Andre is a Hall of Fame caliber player and we appreciate his years of service and contributions to our team."

After spending his entire career as a featured receiver in the Texans' offense, Johnson's role on the team was set to change. Rather than accept that, he requested to be traded or released.

Before the move Monday, Johnson told ESPN's Josina Anderson that he was "not worried" about being released.

"It's just the nature of the business," he told Anderson. "I'm not really worried about it. I will go somewhere else and play, and hopefully I can do well for them."

The 2014 season saw Johnson's production dip as second-year receiver DeAndre Hopkinsemerged. Hopkins notched his first 1,000-yard NFL season, while Johnson caught 85 passes for 936 yards.

In each of the previous two seasons, Johnson had caught more than 100 passes, for 1,407 and 1,598 yards.

"I have so much respect for Andre Johnson and what he's meant to this organization," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "Andre carried himself as a true professional and did everything that we asked him to do. Andre will go down as one of the best receivers to every play this game. We are thankful for what he has done for our organization and wish him well on his future playing career."

Johnson was the longest-tenured player for the Texans, having been drafted third overall in 2003, the expansion franchise's second draft. Since then, he has become the best offensive player in the history of a franchise that lacked stability at quarterback. In his time with the Texans, he has caught 1,012 passes on 1,599 targets for 13,597 yards.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Johnson is one of four players in NFL history to play for only one franchise and have 1,000 career receptions. The others are Marvin Harrison (1,102 catches for the Colts), Reggie Wayne (1,070, Colts) and Hines Ward (1,000, Steelers).

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12450081/andre-johnson-released-houston-texans

 

[big dog cowboy]

Too old. If we want/need a WR, just draft a much younger, faster and cheaper model.

 

[NextGenBoys]

My initial thought is New England

 

[hornitosmonster]

Pass, roll with Dez, Williams, Beastly, and Witten

 

[DandyDon1722]

Receivers buy a little more time age wise than running backs. Johnson is 33 as is Roddy White and Wes Welker. Reggie Wayne 36.

According to Pro Football Focus receivers maintain a good level of play until about 35.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/08/27/age-of-decline-wr/

In fact, in regards to the whole age thing as it relates to Frank Gore signing (to wherever he goes) a post recently that detailed running back production and although it does drop off significantly after 30 the decline actually begins at 27. Two reasons I buy the 30 barrier for running backs. One a general thought the other personal.

1. Too many analytics with teams whose professional job it is to know about age and productivity for it to be an anomaly.
2. I ask myself would I draft any of these guys in Fantasy Football this year?

Ray Rice, 27, Maurice Jones Drew 29, Chris Johnson, 29, Steven Jackson, 29, Darren McFadden, 27.

The answer is no and not one of them 30.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

do want. 1k yards with 4 different sorry backup qb's throwing to him? yes please.

 

[Silverstar]

I could see him ending up in New England.

yup

 

[BoysFan4ever]

Great player.