Andre Johnson News: Pro Sports Daily

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January 15

Houston Chronicle

"Texans receiver Andre Johnson and outside linebacker Brian Cushing are members of the Associated Press All-Pro teams that were announced Thursday. Johnson, who caught 101 passes for an NFL-best 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns, was voted to the first team by 50 writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Cushing, who tied Ray Lewis for the AFC lead with 133 tackles, made the second team. Johnson earned a first-team spot for the second consecutive season. "It's a tremendous honor," Johnson said. "It's something that, as a personal goal, I always try to shoot for — to be mentioned as one of the best at your position. It just goes to show that people are watching what you're doing and that ..."

Johnson, three defenders give Texans their largest number of Pro Bowl picks

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December 30

Houston Chronicle

"The Texans haven't arrived yet, but more evidence that suggests they're getting closer was presented Tuesday. Not only do they still cling to a modicum of postseason hope with one game remaining, they'll be playing for a first-ever winning season against New England on Sunday with a franchise-best four Pro Bowlers on the field. Although wide receiver Andre Johnson is the lone starter in the group, linebackers DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing plus defensive end Mario Williams were also selected to go to Miami for the Jan. 31 matchup between the best players in the AFC and NFC. And given the unprecedented scheduling of this year's game — it's the week before the Super Bowl, also set for Land ..."

Patriots wary of Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson

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December 30

Boston Herald

"The Patriots received their first glimpse of Matt Schaub on Oct. 9, 2005, when he was a little-known backup quarterback for the Falcons. All he did was throw for 298 yards with three touchdowns, good for a 112.1 passer rating. The coaches came into the game with little film on the player who is now the Texans starter and when they left, "We thought he was outstanding," Pats defensive coordinator Dean Pees recalled. As for receiver Andre Johnson, all it took was to turn on the tape of the first half of the Texans' thumping of the Seahawks to learn about the former Miami Hurricanes star. He made 10 catches for 184 yards with two touchdowns - in 30 minutes. "That's about as impressive as it ..."

Andre Johnson provides an assist to Houston's offense vs. Miami Dolphins

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December 28

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"In his South Florida homecoming, Andre Johnson felt like he was back on Miami Senior High's basketball court setting screens for his teammates, using his big body and the attention he regularly commands to pick off defenders. That's right, the Texans' elite receiver, who is viewed by many as the NFL's best at his position, thought he was playing hoops again for a couple of downs on Sunday. With the Miami Dolphins' secondary draped all over him for most of the game, Johnson believes the biggest contributions he made during Sunday's 27-20 win over the Dolphins were the numerous assists he dished out to teammates. "There were a few times I was in the slot running a little 5-yard out route and ..."

Andre Johnson would look great in a Dolphins uniform

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December 27

Miami Herald

"Logical progression: A season in which the Dolphins have faced Reggie Wayne, Vincent Jackson, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss and Steve Smith now could come down to stopping Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson. Who else on the Texans can deal death to the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon? Houston's fumbling backs run as if they were carrying a greased pig through mud. They rank 31st in the league in yards per carry and are tied for last in the NFL in yards per game. Behind Johnson among wide receivers, Kevin Walter, not exactly Lance Alworth, averages four catches per game and 11.7 yards per catch. Sunday's tight end worries ended eight weeks ago with Owen Daniels' season-ending injury. There is ..."

Houston receiver Andre Johnson impresses Rams

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December 21

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Not Larry Fitzgerald, not Reggie Wayne, not Wes Welker, not Randy Moss. Elite NFL receivers all, but none measures up to Houston's Andre Johnson. So declared cornerback Ron Bartell after Johnson torched the Rams for nine catches and 196 yards Sunday in the Texans' 16-13 victory. "He can do it all: size, speed, run after the catch, blocking ... everything," Bartell said. "There's nobody that compares to him. He's by far the best in the league." In boosting his league-leading yardage total to 1,433, the 6-foot-3, 228-pound Johnson saved his best for last. When the Texans took over at their 9-yard line with 8 minutes, 7 seconds remaining, the score was 13-13 and their slim playoff hopes were ..."

Texans get it together

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December 21

Houston Chronicle

"If the Texans had blown Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams, no one would have blamed owner Bob McNair for cleaning house on his coaching staff. With the Texans fortunate to escape the Edward Jones Dome with a 16-13 victory over the worst team in the league, a relieved Gary Kubiak was asked if he could feel good after such a victory. "You're dang right I can," Kubiak said. "It's hard to win in this league. Obviously, there weren't many style points for us today. We were sloppy. We turned the ball over (twice) and jumped offsides on defense, and you can't do that against anybody. "Fortunately, we found a way to regroup, and the defense led the way in the second half." The Texans, who ..."

Astronauts honor Johnson's No. 80

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December 19

Houston Chronicle

"The Texans hosted some astronauts at practice. They made the trip from NASA to the Methodist Training Center to make a presentation to receiver Andre Johnson. The astronauts wore Johnson's No. 80 in space. "That was pretty cool," coach Gary Kubiak said. "I was talking to them about their mission."

Some gifts keep giving, like Johnson

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December 18

Houston Chronicle

"The little ones ran wild through the toy store, grabbing dollhouses, remote-controlled cars, games, electronic gadgets and the like. Baskets overflowing, the smiling youngsters headed to the cash register and waited for Andre Johnson to deliver. As he does for the Texans on Sundays, he did just that. This is the third year the Andre Johnson Charitable Foundation has picked up the holiday shopping spree tab for a group of youngsters chosen by Child Protective Services staff. It is one day the kid in Johnson, 28, comes out. The Texans' star receiver, who grew up in Miami, remembers a time his family couldn't afford to buy him what he wanted for Christmas. "I never got all I wanted for ..."

They'll catch each other's act

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December 17

Houston Chronicle

"St. Louis Rams receiver Donnie Avery will never forget the first time he met his favorite NFL player and role model, Texans receiver Andre Johnson. "We were at this place in Rice Village, and I saw him chatting with some friends," Avery said during a break in preparations for Sunday's game against the Texans. "I stopped and said, 'Excuse me. I'm Donnie Avery. I go to the University of Houston. I just wanted to tell you you're a beast out there.'" Avery, who played at Hastings before becoming one of the nation's best receivers for the Cougars, has patterned himself after Johnson — on and off the field. "That was my first time to meet an NFL player," Avery said. "He was the most humble ..."

Inconsistent Texans puzzling

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December 14

Houston Chronicle

"The Texans didn't run the football effectively against Seattle on Sunday at Reliant Stadium, and they again failed to put strong offensive halves together, producing only 86 yards and a field goal in the third and fourth quarters. But they had so overwhelmed the Seahawks in the first half — the "most explosive" 30 minutes of football he'd ever been associated with, coach Gary Kubiak said — that neither shortcoming mattered. The Texans stopped their four-game skid and won 34-7, their second-largest margin of victory. "If we find a way to bottle that someday for four quarters," Kubiak said of the Texans' 364-yard, 24-point, 19-first down opening half, "it will be a real happy day." It took ..."

Embattled coach hasn't lost his team

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December 14

Houston Chronicle

"Gary Kubiak stood in front of his players Saturday night and sliced open his soul. He dug down deep, into places he probably doesn't go that often. He spoke of his love of football, of his players and of this Texans franchise. He told his players he hoped they appreciated the gift they'd been given and that they'd never take playing in the NFL for granted. "I talked probably longer than I've ever talked," Kubiak said. He didn't pretend these are normal times. These last four games probably will decide his future with the Texans, and he let his players know he wasn't going down without fighting for both himself and them. "It definitely hit me right between the eyes," quarterback Matt Schaub ..."

Upper hand is sweet

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November 23

Houston Chronicle

"Tennessee cornerback Cortland Finnegan brings out the beast — and the best — in Texans receiver Andre Johnson. When the 5-4 Texans and 3-6 Titans play tonight at Reliant Stadium, no matchup will be more ferocious than Johnson versus Finnegan. "You're talking about a Pro Bowl receiver and a Pro Bowl corner who see each other twice a year, so it's naturally very competitive between the two of them," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. In the Texans' 34-31 victory at Tennessee in September, Johnson caught 10 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. During the game, he became so irritated at Finnegan's antics that he was caught screaming and pointing at the cornerback. "I did that?" Johnson said ..."

Johnson: No exit strategy

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November 22

Houston Chronicle

"Texans receiver Andre Johnson denied a report that he has a plan in place to force a trade if the team doesn't make the playoffs. Johnson is on the cover of the current issue of ESPN the Magazine. In the story, his uncle, Andre Melton, who also serves as his agent, tells the magazine they have a plan to force a trade but refuses to discuss the details. "That didn't come from me," Johnson said after practice Saturday. "I wish he hadn't said what he said, but that's his opinion. I make my own decisions, and I plan on being here until I retire. "I'm not going to lie: He (Melton) has brought it to my attention, and he has a right to his opinion. I didn't go to him with it. I don't think it's ..."

Johnson looks good

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October 30

Houston Chronicle

"Receiver Andre Johnson participated fully in the Texans practice Thursday, showing no ill effects from the lung bruise he suffered against the 49ers and seemingly leaving little doubt about his being ready for the Bills on Sunday. "He took pretty close to all the reps he normally takes, and he didn't have any problems," coach Gary Kubiak said. "It's not Sunday yet, but I was very encouraged." Johnson, who will wear a padded extension to his shoulder pads to protect his chest, had already insisted nothing was going to keep him out of the game. Nonetheless, the Texans were sending him back to the doctor for another thorough examination, just to make sure nothing has been missed. "I feel ..."

Texans WR Johnson expected to play against Bills

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October 29

Houston Chronicle

"Receiver Andre Johnson did not practice Wednesday because of the bruised lung he suffered in the Texans' victory over San Francisco, but he vowed to be ready to play against Buffalo. "I feel like I'll be out there unless they cut my leg off," Johnson said. Johnson suffered the injury while making an 18-yard catch in the second quarter and aggravated it in the fourth quarter on a 44-yard reception. He had trouble breathing and coughed up blood before he was taken to the hospital for tests. "To be honest, I didn't know what it was," Johnson said. "When I was on the ground spitting, I was like, 'What's wrong with me?' It scared me a little because I've never had that happen. "I did have ..."

Texans WR Johnson day-to-day with lung contusion

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October 27

Houston Chronicle

"The Texans say they expect receiver Andre Johnson to be ready to play against Buffalo on Sunday, but after revising their postgame evaluation from chest contusion to lung contusion Monday, the truth is no one knows. Coach Gary Kubiak doesn't know if Johnson, who has 38 catches for 634 yards and four touchdowns, will be able to practice this week when the Texans prepare for the game against the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Johnson, 28, doesn't have to practice to be able to play. "He's going to be day-to-day as we go into this week," Kubiak said Monday. "They'll do some tests on him each day as we go through this week, but I think we're fortunate, and, hopefully, he'll be ready to go ..."

Texans WR Johnson day-to-day with lung contusion

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October 26

Houston Chronicle

"Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson has a lung contusion and is listed as day-to-day for Sunday's game against Buffalo, coach Gary Kubiak said Monday. Johnson will undergo tests throughout the week before a decision is made on his availability. "We're fortunate here," Kubiak said."

Johnson suffers injury to chest

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October 26

Houston Chronicle

"Receiver Andre Johnson left Sunday's 24-21 victory over the San Francisco 49ers with a chest injury but should be ready to play in the next game at Buffalo. Johnson, who was injured in the fourth quarter, was taken to a hospital for X-rays before returning to Reliant Stadium to shower and dress after the Texans' second consecutive victory. "They're telling me it's a chest contusion," coach Gary Kubiak said. Kubiak will have an update on Johnson at his regular news conference this afternoon. Johnson was injured when he caught a 44-yard pass on what proved to be the winning field-goal drive. He fell on the ball, coughed up blood and went to the sideline."

Biggest worry? Slowing Johnson

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October 23

San Jose Mercury News

"For all the talk about the 49ers new guy, the most significant receiver on the field Sunday will be in a Houston Texans uniform. Andre Johnson ranks second in the NFL with 572 receiving yards. He's built like a bear (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) but moves like a hummingbird. "He can fly," cornerback Nate Clements said. Clements will be the primary coverage man against Johnson on Sunday. He'll be trying to bounce back from the Atlanta loss in which another speedy receiver, Roddy White, racked up a Falcons franchise record 210 receiving yards. Clements and the secondary did a much better job against Larry Fitzgerald in the opener, when the Cardinals star totaled 71 yards. Fitzgerald, like Johnson, ..."

Hey NFL: Don't tug on Superman's cape

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September 25

Houston Chronicle

"Texans fans should pause a minute and thank former Detroit general manager Matt Millen for taking receiver Charles Rogers over receiver Andre Johnson with the second overall pick in the 2003 draft. Just imagine what the last seven seasons would have been like for the Texans without Johnson. If the Lions had taken Johnson, the Texans would have passed on Rogers. Former general manager Charley Casserly told me that in the days leading up to the draft. Rogers had too much baggage for the Texans to take a chance on him, and it never came down to that because of Millen's blunder. Some things have happened this week that caused me to look back at that 2003 draft. Record pace First, Johnson ..."

Johnson second-fastest WR to milestone

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September 24

Houston Chronicle

"A quick 500 Receiver Andre Johnson, who had 10 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the victory at Tennessee, is the second-fastest receiver in NFL history to reach 500 catches. He did it in 88 games. Arizona's Anquan Boldin did it in 80 games. "It's a big accomplishment," Johnson said. "I think it's great. Hopefully, I can keep improving and take my game to another level. Those things are great, but the biggest thing is winning. Hopefully, I can reach bigger and better things." Jones avoids suspension Receiver/return man Jacoby Jones' placement in the Harris County DWI "Divert" program was finalized in court Tuesday. It gives Jones, who was arrested for drunken driving in March ..."

Texans' big three contained

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September 14

Houston Chronicle

"The first time Steve Slaton butted helmets with a Rex Ryan-coached defense in Reliant Stadium, he couldn't help but walk — or stagger — off the field impressed. Last season, when Slaton was en route to becoming the NFL's rookie rushing champion and Ryan was still coordinating the fearsome Baltimore defense, Slaton's four carries on the day produced a scant 7 yards in a 41-13 Ravens rout. Not much has changed with Ryan having taken over as the Jets' head coach. Slaton's first six carries Sunday netted just a single yard, and New York left town with a 24-7 victory. So make that Ryan 65, Texans 20. Regarding Buddy Ryan's son having once been quoted as saying, "Trust me, I'll stop your run. ..."

Catch him if you can

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August 4

Houston Chronicle

"Texans quarterback Matt Schaub threw a pass to Andre Johnson that looked high, but it's hard to overthrow the best receiver in the NFL. Johnson soared above cornerback Jacques Reeves to make the catch, then silently nodded a compliment to Reeves after landing. "I'm very fortunate to have a guy like that because you just throw it his way, and he'll bring it down," Schaub said. "He's incredible." Entering his seventh season, Johnson, 28, had always put up big numbers, but last year was particularly impressive. His 115 receptions for 1,575 yards led the NFL, and his 79 first downs were tops among receivers. He became just the third player to catch for 130 or more yards in four consecutive ..."

Schaub, Johnson energized

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May 19

Houston Chronicle

"Quarterback Matt Schaub jogged on the field free of the knee brace he wore the final month of last season. The shoulder surgery he underwent last offseason was a distant memory as he participated in the first day of Texans organized team activities Monday. For the past three months, Schaub, 27, has avoided the training room and enjoyed a "normal" offseason. "It was wonderful, since I didn't have to worry about coming in the training room every morning," Schaub said. "I got to spend a lot more time with my wife and travel, and I got to play golf early in this offseason. So that was fun." It's back to business for the third-year starter, though. He returns rested, healthy and confident, and ..."

Super Bowl stage appealing to Johnson

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January 30

Houston Chronicle

columnist John McClain

"They are the two first-team All-Pro receivers. They were voted starters in the Pro Bowl. One led the NFL in catches. The other tied for fourth. One is in Tampa to make appearances for the NFL. The other is in Tampa to prepare for Super Bowl XLIII. The Texans’ Andre Johnson led the NFL with 115 catches for 1,575 yards and eight touchdowns. The Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald had 96 receptions for 1,431 yards and 12 touchdowns. During the regular season, Johnson was called the best receiver in the NFL by just about everybody. Now Fitzgerald is being recognized as the best because of the way he has excelled in the playoffs with 23 catches for an NFL-record 419 yards and five touchdowns in three ..."

Texans’ Johnson earns All-Pro nod

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January 10

Houston Chronicle

"As the Texans’ Andre Johnson was shattering his own personal records and leading the league in receptions and yards this season, he admitted he thought he was the best receiver in the NFL. Friday, it was clear he’s hardly alone in his opinion. For the first time in his career, Johnson was named to the Associated Press’ prestigious NFL All-Pro team by receiving 45 of the 50 votes cast by sportswriters and broadcasters across the country. Johnson was one of 15 first-timers named to the team, falling just five votes shy of being a unanimous selection. Only Vikings running back Adrian Peterson garnered as many votes on offense as Johnson. Baltimore safety Ed Reed was the only player on either ..."

Texans’ Pro Bowler Johnson receives honor

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January 8

Houston Chronicle

"Postseason honors are continuing to pile up for Texans receiver Andre Johnson, who was named the NFL Alumni Wide Receiver of the Year on Wednesday. It is the second time in his career he has received the honor. He also captured the award in 2006. Johnson, who led the league in receptions and receiving yards, will be honored with the other 2008 recipients at the 27th annual Player of the Year Awards Dinner on Jan. 30 in Tampa, Fla. Johnson joins special teams player Jerome Mathis (2005) and defensive end Mario Williams (2007) as the only Texans to be honored by the NFL Alumni."

Andre a giant among receivers

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December 29

Chicago Sun-Times

"It took 55 mph winds in Buffalo and the Bears' defense to make Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson the league leader in receptions and yards. Blustery conditions at Ralph Wilson Stadium prevented the New England Patriots from throwing much, limiting Wes Welker to two catches. Johnson, meanwhile, had a banner day against the Bears with 10 receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns. He finished with 115 catches -- four more than Welker after entering the day four back -- and 1,575 yards. It was pitch-and-catch for Texans quarterback Matt Schaub and Johnson, who had cornerback Charles Tillman following him wherever he went. That is, except for the one play in which Tillman handed ..."

Texans' Johnson strains Titans' defense

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December 15

Tennessean

"Andre Johnson took the Titans' defensive slogan - bend but don't break - to a new low. The league's leading receiver caught 11 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown Sunday, twisting and stretching the Titans defense as it chased him around Reliant Stadium. His catches served as moments of momentum for the Texans, who upset the Titans 13-12. "He brings a whole lot of excitement and energy to our team when he goes up like he did on that one drive and catches that go route over everyone's heads," quarterback Matt Schaub said. Seven of Johnson's catches gave Houston first downs. He now has a league-best 103 catches for 1,408 yards and six touchdowns, and the Texans (7-7) have won a franchise- ..."

Johnson cools after hot October

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November 10

Houston Chronicle

"After posting four consecutive 100-plus-yard games while making 41 catches in October to take over the NFL’s receiving lead, Andre Johnson has tapered off, with a combined 13 catches for 128 yards against Minnesota and Baltimore. Johnson’s seven receptions Sunday netted 66 yards, with a long of 20. Turnovers kill Receiver Kevin Walter admitted the interceptions and overall ineffective play in the red zone were the difference Sunday. “It was 19-13, we were right there in it, and the crowd was in it,” he said. “We moved the ball pretty well against that defense, which was No. 1 or No. 2 or whatever they were (No. 2 overall, No. 1 against the run) coming in here. We just can’t turn the ball ..."

UT alum Griffin brings tough D to WR Andre Johnson

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November 3

Houston Chronicle

"Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson put together one of the best months in NFL history in October. But November started slowly against the Vikings. With former Longhorn Cedric Griffin constantly on top of Johnson, the Texans’ top receiver finished with just four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown. “I guess their coach just told them, ‘Just beat him up,’” Johnson said. “At the line, I got thrown down a couple of times. “It was one of my more difficult games. I think they did a great job. I think they had a good game plan. “It kind of got me a bit frustrated. And when you get frustrated, it kind of has an effect on your game a little bit.” The Vikings often had two players covering Johnson, ..."

Texans WR Johnson named AFC offensive player of month

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October 31

Houston Chronicle

"After helping lead the Texans to three straight wins in October, wide receiver Andre Johnson has been named AFC Offensive Player of the Month. Johnson led the NFL with 41 receptions for 593 yards in four games, and also scored two touchdowns. He had 11 more catches and nearly 150 more yards than the AFC's next-closest receivers. He also led all AFC players in total yards from scrimmage in the month, even without making a single rushing attempt. During the month, Johnson caught nine or more passes and had at least 130 receiving yards in all four games. He became just the third player in NFL history to catch 10 or more passes in three straight games and the fourth player ever to record 130 ..."

Johnson rocketing on historic NFL pace

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October 29

Houston Chronicle

columnist John McClain

"If you see Andre Johnson going to his usual floor seats at the Rockets’ opener tonight, give him a hand. He deserves it. We all know how extraordinary Johnson has been, and when the Texans play at Minnesota on Sunday, he has two chances to make NFL history. Johnson can become the first receiver to have at least 130 yards in five consecutive games. He shares the record with the Chargers’ Lance Alworth (1968) and the Rams’ Harold Jackson (1971-72). Johnson also can set a record if he catches at least 10 passes for the fourth consecutive game. He’s tied with the Lions’ Brett Perriman (1995) and the Colts’ Reggie Wayne (2007-08). With considerable help from his teammates on offense, especially ..."

You can call him Johnson, or special

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October 27

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Nobody could guard Andre Johnson. No one in the Cincinnati secondary had an answer for the Houston Texans wideout, as pure a combination of size, speed, strength and audacity as plays wideout in the NFL today. Johnson destroyed the Bengals any number of ways. At 6 feet 2 and close to 230 pounds, he's a menace across the middle, who can take a hit. Bengals strong safety Chinedum Ndukwe popped Johnson in the first quarter, after Johnson caught a ball across the middle. It had no effect. "A lesser receiver would have coughed it up," said Ndukwe. "He didn't break stride the whole day, even after we kept tagging him." Johnson finished with 11 catches for 143 yards. Ten came in the first three ..."

Texans WR Johnson faces pal Ocho Cinco, Bengals

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October 26

Houston Chronicle

"When Texans receiver Andre Johnson runs out of the tunnel this morning for pregame warm-ups, Chad Ocho Cinco will be waiting for him. Every game against the Cincinnati Bengals has been the same. Ocho Cinco will seek him out to ask where the Texans cornerbacks are. If they aren’t on the field, he’ll load Johnson up with messages to send back to them in the locker room. "Every time I play against him, he’s always saying something crazy," Johnson said. "I think that just amps him up for the game. That’s how he gets himself ready to play. A lot of people take it the wrong way, but whatever you do to get yourself ready for the game, that’s what you do." Johnson laughs each time he talks about ..."

Johnson responds to pressure from Kubiak

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October 20

Houston Chronicle

"Texans coach Gary Kubiak didn’t shy away from putting a little pressure on Andre Johnson earlier this season. After Johnson failed to make a play on two potential touchdown passes thrown his way against Tennessee on Sept. 21, Kubiak had a talk with his star receiver. “My message was, ‘You have to make those plays for this team. That’s how much they count on you,’ ” Kubiak said. “Is that asking a lot of a kid? You bet it is.” Johnson hardly shied from the challenge, and less than a month later he is on the best three-game stretch of his career. In the Texans’ 28-21 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Reliant Stadium, Johnson finished with 11 catches for 141 yards — his ..."

Andre Johnson, not Charles Rogers emerges as top receiver

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October 19

Michigan Live

"In the 2003 draft, the Detroit Lions took Michigan State receiver Charles Rogers with the second overall pick. One choice later, the Houston Texans selected Miami receiver Andre Johnson. Rogers played in just 15 games for the Lions, catching 36 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns. Rogers will not be on the field Sunday when the 0-5 Lions visit the 1-4 Texans at Reliant Stadium. Rogers hasn't been on any NFL football field for three years. Johnson, meanwhile, will not only be on the field on Sunday, he will be one of the best players on it. Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowl player, has caught 405 passes for 5,292 yards and 27 touchdowns. "He's such a hard worker," said Texans ..."

Texans put game in WR Johnson's hands

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October 13

Miami Herald

"Even the man who scored the winning touchdown, Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, knew who won the game. Schaub scooted untouched into the end zone on a quarterback draw from the 3-yard line with three seconds left to beat the Dolphins 29-28 at Reliant Stadium. But that play was made possible because of what happened when the Texans faced a fourth-and-10 from the Houston 36 with 52 seconds to play. Andre Johnson caught Schaub's pass for a 23-yard gain, taking the ball from strong safety Yeremiah Bell to keep the Texans' hopes alive. ''That was really the game-winner right there,'' said Schaub, who completed 22 of 42 passes for a career-high 379 yards. ``That was the one that won it ..."

Andre Johnson shows what Dolphins are missing

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October 13

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

columnist Dave Hyde

"The pass was a prayer, a hope, a fourth-down wish from a quarterback who earlier Sunday was booed off the field. Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell saw it coming and went to knock it down. "I thought I'd get it,'' he said. If he did, the day was done, the game won. "I knew it'd be a battle, because I knew who was going up for it with me,'' Bell said. Over the previous two games, the story line was about what these new Dolphins have: Smarts. Discipline. A quarterback. A team that, tackle-to-tackle, can line up with opponents and compete. They showed all that again Sunday. But this game was more about what the Dolphins still lack. And at the top of the shopping list is the kind of receiver who ..."

Johnson helps drag Texans from malaise

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October 13

Houston Chronicle

"In their minds, the winless Texans had given away their past two games against Jacksonville and Indianapolis. So it was time, past time really, to steal one back. Still grumbling to himself and grinding his teeth over an early fumble on a play he knew should have ended with a touchdown, Andre Johnson took it upon his broad shoulders to do just that. A replay overrule had erased what the officials on the field called a Miami interception, giving the desperate Texans a last-gasp fourth-and-10 at their 36 with 52 seconds left, trailing 28-23. When quarterback Matt Schaub went to Johnson in the left flat, Yeremiah Bell seemed to arrive there first, but over his dead body was Johnson going to ..."

Focus on Johnson costs Jags

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September 29

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Houston wide receiver Andre (the Jaguar-killer) Johnson was held in check Sunday by the Jaguars defense. However, that only opened up more opportunities for other skill position players, as wide receiver Kevin Walter, running back Steve Slaton and tight end Owen Daniels provided quarterback Matt Schaub with plenty of options in the Texans' 30-27 overtime loss to the Jaguars. Slaton, a rookie from West Virginia whose last appearance in Jacksonville was forgettable, caught eight passes for 83 yards and one touchdown, and led the team in rushing with 33 yards. Walter had eight receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns, and Daniels caught seven passes for 87 yards. Four of Walters' receptions ..."

Texans duo ready to build on past success in opener

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September 7

Houston Chronicle

"Matt Schaub didn’t have much time, so he tried to adapt the best way he could. He understood the best quarterback-receiver tandems in the NFL have longevity and continuity on their side. When he arrived in Houston in the spring of 2007, he had a new playbook, a two-time Pro Bowl receiver and six months to prepare for the season. He wasted no time. He heard from coaches and players that Andre Johnson wasn’t much of a talker. But Schaub wasn’t fazed. He knew if he was going to help lead the Texans to a successful season in his first year as a starter, he needed Johnson. “When I got here, I tried to get in his face and talk to him as much as I could and so we could understand one another and ..."

WR Johnson gives Kubiak a scare

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August 3

Houston Chronicle

"Texans coach Gary Kubiak didn’t try to pretend he wasn’t nervous when he saw Andre Johnson pull up short while running a route. Johnson then bent over and limped off the field. “That’s the worst nightmare for a coach,” Kubiak said. “(A) guy like him getting hurt, it’s part of football, unfortunately, and there’s not a play that you don’t hold your breath, in all honesty,” he said. “You’ve just got to keep pushing through and hope for the best and hopefully it’s our time to stay healthy. We’ve been pretty fortunate through this camp; we’ve been pretty darn good. Keep our fingers crossed with him and see what happens.” Johnson said his groin tightened up when he was running the route, but ..."