NFL Network analyst David Carr spent the first five seasons of his career as starting quarterback for the Houston Texans, which gave him the best views in the house for Andre Johnson’s career.
Carr, the first ever draft pick in Texans history, recalls a time when Johnson tossed a Dallas Cowboys defensive back like a rag doll during a training camp scrimmage.
Johnson was often challenged by cornerbacks, who would get in his face, talk smack and do everything possible to keep him out of rhythm. It rarely worked. During a preseason scrimmage with the Dallas Cowboys, one of their defensive backs started yapping at Johnson as soon as they walked out on the practice field. Later on, when that player went to jam Johnson on one play, Johnson grabbed the back of the DB’s jersey and threw him behind the line of scrimmage. Of course, Johnson was wide open, caught the ball and scored — while the DB was absolutely roasted by his teammates from the sideline.
While Carr does not specify when the scrimmage took place, it is possible the play occurred on Aug. 1, 2003, at the Alamodome, the training camp of Johnson’s rookie season. The original report mentions a 23-yard touchdown from Carr to Johnson. It would be the only time during Carr and Johnson’s tenure together that the Cowboys would train in San Antonio as they would not return until 2007. By that time, Carr was with the Carolina Panthers and the Matt Schaub era had begun in Houston in Gary Kubiak’s second season as coach.
Johnson, who played in Houston from 2003-14, became the Texans’ inaugural Ring of Honor member on Nov. 19, 2017. The seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro has the most career receptions (1,012), receiving yards (13,597), and receiving touchdowns (64) in Texans history. Johnson remains in the organization as a special advisor to coach Bill O’Brien.