Tag: 2003 NFL draft

Andre Johnson’s biggest regret from his Texans career is not winning a Super Bowl

Former Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson says his biggest regret is not winning a Super Bowl for the organization.

Former Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Although the seven-time Pro Bowler has had some highlights throughout his NFL career from 2003-16, there is one regret that he thinks about virtually everyday since retirement.

According to an article from Clark Judge of the Talk of Fame Network, Johnson says not winning a Super Bowl for the organization is his biggest regret.

“When I first came to Houston, I knew it was a new franchise – it was the second year of the franchise – (and) I took it as a challenge. After my rookie year it was just like nobody respects us and we were the laughingstocks of the NFL.

“I was like: I want to get this organization its first championship. I want to get it to its first playoff and win its first playoff game and things of that nature. It hurts me still that I wasn’t able to help them win a championship. But, at the end of the day, I was able to help the organization get to the playoffs and its first playoff win.

What Johnson was able to do was get the Texans their first couple playoff wins during his tenure with the club from 2003-14. The Texans completed their first season with a winning record in 2009, and added their first AFC South title and playoff qualification two seasons later. Houston beat the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC wildcard, and did it all over again in 2012, including beating the Bengals in the wildcard.

Johnson spent 2015 with the Indianapolis Colts and the 2016 season with the Tennessee Titans. The Texans inducted Johnson into their Ring of Honor in 2017. Johnson also served as a special advisor to the general manager, coach, and scouting department from 2019-20.

Giants select Marcus Trufant in Bleacher Report’s 2003 NFL re-draft

In Bleacher Report’s 2003 NFL re-draft, the New York Giants select CB Marcus Trufant instead of DT William Joseph.

In 2003, the New York Giants had the 25th pick in NFL Draft and their choice ended up being one of the most disappointing of the 21st Century so far.

William Joseph, a defensive tackle out of Miami, started just 17 of 55 games with the Giants racking up just 88 tackles and seven sacks. The draft class was considered a success even without hitting on Joseph.

Second-round pick Osi Umenyiora would go on to record 85 sacks for the Giants, David Diehl, taken in Round 5 would become one of the best linemen in the league over the next decade and sixth-round pick David Tyree would go on to make perhaps the most famous play in Giants’ history.

The Giants could have really hit big if they had passed on Joseph and chose cornerback Marcus Trufant of Washington State, who Brad Gagnon has falling to the Giants in this 2003 re-draft from Bleacher Report.

What actually happened: Drafted DT William Joseph

Where he was actually picked: 11th overall by the Seahawks

It’s been a tough re-draft for the Giants, who already lost Umenyiora and Diehl before hitting the clock. At least they get a do-over on Joseph, who started just 17 games in his career and wasn’t a factor when the team made its Super Bowl run in 2007.

It works out well that the best player available here would have helped a secondary that was still somewhat of a liability.

Marcus Trufant was an instant starter at cornerback in Seattle. He intercepted five passes as a sophomore and made the Pro Bowl with seven picks the year the Giants won their first of two Super Bowls this century. He likely would have been the No. 1 corner in New York from at least 2005 to 2008.

Even with the Plaxico Burress incident, maybe Trufant could have helped keep the Giants in line to win another title in 2008.

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