Tag: Andre Johnson

J.J. Watt to be inducted into Houston Texans Ring of Honor

The Houston Texans have announced their plans to induct former DE J.J. Watt into the franchise’s Ring of Honor.

The Houston Texans don’t take long to enshrine their legends inside NRG Stadium.

The franchise announced Monday their plans to induct former defensive end J.J. Watt into the club’s Ring of Honor.

The induction will be a family affair as the Texans will do so in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watt’s younger brother, T.J. Watt, plays outside linebacker for the Steelers.

Watt will be joining former receiver Andre Johnson and late founder Bob McNair in the Ring of Honor.

The former 2011 first-round pick from Wisconsin collected a record-tying three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards while in Houston through the 2020 season. Watt also had 101.0 sacks with the Texans, which were the most from 2011-20, along with a record-setting 172 tackles for loss.

Watt’s greatest contribution to the city of Houston was in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in August 2017 when he raised more than $41 million to support those impacted. Watt’s efforts earned him the 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year.

The Wisconsin alumnus has been active with his Justin J. Watt Foundation, which he started as a junior in 2010. Watt uses the foundation to help underserved kids across the country.

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WATCH: Texans argue which Gatorade flavor is the best at OTAs

Some Houston Texans players past and present weighed in on which Gatorade flavor was the best at OTAs.

The Houston Texans got to the bottom of a fundamental issue during the third week of organized team activities.

Which flavor of Gatorade is the best?

The Texans’ media team released a video on its social media accounts getting the players’ responses.

Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud answered with “lime green,” which could be either Lemon-Lime or Lime Cucumber.

Defensive end Jerry Hughes declared that the best flavor was “red,” which is known as Fruit Punch.

Texans Ring of Honor receiver Andre Johnson stated his favorite flavor was “orange,” which is actually Orange.

Michael Jordan’s favorite Gatorade flavor in the 1990s was “Citrus Cooler.”

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DeMeco Ryans acknowledges former Texans visiting OTAs

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans appreciated former players, including WR Andre Johnson, stopping by at OTAs.

Though the Houston Texans have had their share of struggles over the last several seasons the hype surrounding the team is at an all-time high.

Whether it is hiring a former franchise hero in DeMeco Ryans as coach or taking C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson back-to-back in the 2023 NFL draft, there is plenty of energy on Kirby Drive.

The Texans appear to be back on the path to relevance, and with some of the best players in team history making an appearance at organized team activities June 6, it was like a stamp of approval.

Among those in attendance were legendary receiver Andre Johnson, former linebacker Kailee Wong, and former guards Chester Pitts and Fred Weary — all of whom played with Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans in Houston.

Ryans commented on the reunion with his former teammates after the team’s practice session, pointing out that the presence of such decorated players provided plenty of motivation for his upstart Texans.

“It was awesome to see a lot of former players — guys who laid the foundation here for this Texans organization,” Ryans said. “So, I was excited to see those guys out [here] and it was fun to talk to them and just let them know how much our guys appreciate their support – how much it means to us to have their support.”

Ryans went on to reiterate that these outstanding players were foundational pieces of the Texans’ franchise, and committed to doing the all-time greats proud as he revamps Houston’s reputation as a competitive football team.

“Everything that we do, they laid the foundation for our players that are here right now,” said Ryans. “And for our players that are here, it’s about just doing everything we can to be the best that we are on Sundays to make those guys proud.”

For a team that is as young as the Texans, visits like these from players so crucial to the franchise’s coming of age in the mid-2000s should serve as a reminder that Houston holds the key to its destiny in its hands heading into the new season, and has plenty of support behind them.

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How WR Andre Johnson would have helped 2023 Texans

If the Houston Texans had to pick a player from their past and transport him to 2023 to help out, Andre Johnson would be a logical choice.

One of the fun exercises of the NFL offseason is to wonder what former superstars could help their teams in today’s game.

Some teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers have decades worth of players to choose from. Others such as the Houston Texans have barely two decades worth of franchise history, which makes the pickings slim.

Nevertheless the Texans have been able to produce two franchise legends in receiver Andre Johnson (2003-14) and defensive end J.J. Watt (2011-20). Which one could help the Texans in 2023?

According to Sam Monson from Pro Football Focus, Johnson would be able to quickly elevate rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud’s game, and makes sense as the choice.

Johnson often seemed overlooked in favor of other receivers during his career, but he twice led the league in receptions and yards, amassing more than 14,000 receiving yards and 1,000 catches over his career. At his best, he was arguably the best receiver in the game for a stretch despite less-than-elite quarterback play. Houston drafted its quarterback of the future just weeks ago, and giving him Andre Johnson to play with would be a great addition.

Another reason Johnson was the selection was due to stipulations in the PFF exercise wherein picking recently retired players was frowned upon.

Even in the abstract, having Johnson would solidify who is the No. 1 receiver on the roster. Johnson also proved the ability to thrive in a Kyle Shanahan type of system as the majority of his Pro Bowl, All-Pro, and league-leading seasons were during Gary Kubiak’s tenure (2006-13).

The Texans don’t have a Johnson on the roster. However, they do have some options that could potentially blossom in third-rounder Tank Dell and sixth-rounder Xavier Hutchinson. Stroud also has a younger veteran to build connection with in Nico Collins, who embarks upon his third season.

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Penn State’s all-time first-round NFL draft picks

Every Penn State football player ever drafted in the first round of the NFL draft in school history.

In the history of the NFL draft, only a handful of schools have had more players drafted by NFL franchises than Penn State. The Nittany Lions have sent over 360 players through the NFL draft over the years, and that number continues to climb every year. And when it comes to first-round picks, Penn State has had a solid number of those as well, including some top draft picks.

Lenny Moore, arguably the best player in Penn State football history, is appropriately the first player in program history to be selected by an NFL franchise in the NFL draft. Since then, Penn State players have been selected in the first round numerous times through the decades with players like Shane Conlan, Blair Thomas, Ki-Jana Carter, LaVar Arrington, Saquon Barkley, and Micah Parsons.

Here is a look at every first-round NFL draft pick in Penn State history, starting with the first.

Former Texans WR Andre Johnson snubbed again from Pro Football Hall of Fame

Former Houston Texans All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson did not make the cut to be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2023.

The Houston Texans will have to keep waiting to get one of their own — homegrown at that — into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Legendary Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson was not among the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2023, which was announced at the NFL Honors on Thursday night at Symphony Hall in Phoenix, Arizona.

Cornerback Darrelle Revis, left tackle Joe Thomas, outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, linebacker Zach Thomas and cornerback Ronde Barber were among the modern-era inductees.

Johnson played 12 seasons with Houston from 2003-14 and remains the all-time leader in career receptions (1,012), receiving yards (13,597), receiving touchdowns (64) and 100-yard games (51).

He also holds multiple single-game records for the Texans, including most receptions (14), receiving yards (273) and receiving touchdowns (three). Johnson also has the single-season franchise record for receptions with 115 in 2008 and receiving yards with 1,598 in 2012.

The four-time All-Pro selection and seven-time Pro Bowler played in 2015 for the Indianapolis Colts and in 2016 with the Tennessee Titans. He finished his career with 1,062 catches for 14,185 yards and 70 touchdowns.

“He is a legend in every sense of the word, and I will always be grateful for his incredible contributions to our team and the impact he continues to have on our organization and the City of Houston,” chairman and CEO Cal McNair said in a statement on Jan. 4 when Johnson was announced as a finalist. “From the day he became a Texan in 2003, he was the definition of a competitor on the field and a pillar in our community. We will continue to take every opportunity to celebrate Andre’s career and everything he has accomplished.”

Johnson retired with the Texans organization on April 19, 2017, by signing a one-day contract with the team. On Nov. 19, 2017, against the Arizona Cardinals, Johnson was inducted into the Texans Ring of Honor as its inaugural member.

The induction of the class of 2023 will take place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Aug. 5.

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Andre Johnson says there is ‘no doubt’ DeMeco Ryans will turn around the Texans

Former Houston Texans legendary receiver Andre Johnson says there is “no doubt” that new coach DeMeco Ryans will turn around the team.

The Houston Texans drafted second-round linebacker DeMeco Ryans in 2006 when they needed to climb out of the pit of being an expansion team. In 2022, they brought back their former two-time Pro Bowler to lead the team out of its interminable rebuilding phase.

Andre Johnson was teammates with Ryans from 2006-11, and the inaugural Texans Ring of Honor member believes that the former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator will be able to help Houston back to the top of the AFC South during his tenure as the club’s sixth full-time coach.

“There’s no doubt in my mind he’ll turn it around,” Johnson said. “It’s not going to happen overnight, but, like I said, I have no doubt he’ll turn it around and get it headed in the right direction. People will be proud to say that they’re a Houston Texans fan.”

The Texans continue to work through the assistant coach interviews as Ryans assembles his staff.

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Andre Johnson reveals when in his Texans career he thought he could be a Hall of Famer

Andre Johnson revealed when in his Houston Texans career he started to believe he could make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

As a 22-year-old entering the NFL, Andre Johnson wasn’t focused on the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Houston Texans’ No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft was busy enough trying to be the best version of himself.

“I think once you’re drafted, when I came here, I didn’t say to myself, ‘I want to be a Hall of Fame player,'” Johnson said. “I just always said I wanted to be a great player. I wanted to be one of the best to ever play. I never said I wanted to make it to the Hall of Fame.”

The Texans were in their second season of existence when Johnson came into the league. When Johnson made the Pro Bowl back then, coaches on the AFC team almost didn’t know what team he represented — that is how young the Texans still were when Johnson took his first trip to Hawaii.

Similarly, as Johnson began to collect more accolades, break records and lead the league in statistical categories, it started to crystallize for the former Miami product.

“As your career goes along, you guys [the media] always remind us of our stats and things we’re accomplishing,” said Johnson. “Then it’s like, ‘Man, OK, I was the first person to do this,’ or ‘I did something that Jerry Rice did.’ Now it comes in your mind, ‘Well, maybe I can get in there one day.’”

Johnson was a two-time All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowler in his career. He led the NFL in catches in 2006 and 2008 and in receiving yards in 2008 and 2009.

“I don’t think that’s it’s something that you come in and just assume is going to happen,” Johnson said of getting into the Hall.

Johnson is one of 15 modern-era finalists for the Hall of Fame’s 2023 class. The inaugural Texans Ring of Honor member, who played from 2003-2014 for Houston, was a finalist a year ago.

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Texans legend Andre Johnson was not disappointed following 2022 Hall of Fame snub

Former Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson says that he was not upset when he did not make the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2022.

Andre Johnson is in familiar territory.

The former Houston Texans receiver is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the second year in a row. The two-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler did not make the cut for the 2022 class of modern-era inductees.

When Johnson didn’t make it, there were no hard feelings, no disappointment.

“There was no disappointment,” Johnson said. “Like I said, it was out of my control. Anything that I could do, I’ve done it already. I can’t do anything else. I can’t go catch another touchdown. I can’t catch any more footballs. Everything I’ve needed to do, I’ve done.”

Johnson led the NFL in catches in 2006 and 2008 along with leading the league in receiving yards in 2008 and 2009. All the while the former 2003 No. 3 overall pick from Miami was focused on being the best version of himself.

“That’s just the way I always approached it,” said Johnson. “Yeah, of course, I would want to play with a Peyton Manning, Drew Brees or Tom Brady. I think any receiver would, but that wasn’t the hand I was dealt. I had to make the best of what I was dealt. That’s what I tried to do.”

The 2023 class will be announced during the NFL Honors on Feb. 9 on NBC, Peacock (streaming), and NFL Network.

Texans legend Andre Johnson’s QBs are proof he should be in Pro Football Hall of Fame

Andre Johnson didn’t have great quarterbacks to work with in his Houston Texans career, which makes his career numbers even more impressive.

 

Wide receivers going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame are as commonplace as drivers going at least 5 mph above the speed limit on any major Houston thoroughfare.

What makes Andre Johnson, who was announced this week as a finalist for the Hall of Fame, any different?

According to statistics compiled by Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar, Johnson didn’t have much to work with throughout his 12-season career with Houston from 2003-14.

While some of Johnson’s best years came with Matt Schaub under center, the two-time Pro Bowler and 2009 NFL passing champion had an average net yard per pass attempt of 6.62, ranking third-best among quarterbacks Johnson played with. Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was around for 12 starts in Johnson’s last season with Houston, topped the list at 7.15.

David Carr, who was the Texans’ starter from 2002-06, had a 4.72 while the two were paired together.

Johnson’s first season as a first-team All-Pro was in 2008, a season when he led the league with 115 catches and 1,569 receiving yards. The former 2003 third overall pick didn’t benefit from having Schaub the entire season as the QB missed five games because of injury. Sage Rosenfels was throwing Johnson passes during that span, too.

Not to take anything away from former Indianapolis Colts WR Reggie Wayne, another modern-era finalist along with Johnson, but the former 2001 first-rounder from Miami had Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck throwing to him for 13 of his 14 seasons. In 2011, when Curtis Painter, Dan Orlovsky and Kerry Collins threw him the ball while an injured Manning sat out the season, he caught 75 passes for 960 yards and four touchdowns.

In a similarly quarterback-dysfunctional season for Johnson, 2013, he caught 109 passes for 1,407 yards and five touchdowns through 16 games.

The list of unspectacular and mediocre quarterbacks who Johnson thrived with makes his career stand out even more and should ensure him a spot in Canton among the game’s greats.