For a player that unselfishly sacrificed his prime years of being an elite receiver to mediocre-at-best quarterbacks, Andre Johnson was severely mistreated. The Houston Texans drafted Johnson out of the University of Miami with the third overall pick in the 2003 draft to be the anchor of their air attack. After 12 years of service to the Texans and setting numerous team records, the Texans decided they wanted him to take a smaller role in the offense. Johnson asked to be released and signed with other brothers from The U in Indianapolis, to hopefully produce a run towards a Super Bowl championship.
The Houston Texans were on the cusp on the playoffs last season, with Johnson being a major part of their offense. The decorated veteran couldn't understand the Texans stance on next year's plan to have his role diminished. Sporting News tells of Johnson's agent Kennard McGuire speaking on a sports radio program about the way the Johnson/Texans off-season meetings went:
"Certain things were expressed to [Andre] in which he didn't agree with. And at that point in time permission was thusly granted to seek an opportunity elsewhere. That was not something that we asked for. That was something that was presented to us."
Johnson tells The Indianapolis Star about the awkwardness between star player and the only team he has ever known after having such a successful year:
"I think they wanted to go in a different direction and just didn't know how to tell me. Deciding who was going to start six months before the season? I've never heard of that in my life. And I caught 85 balls last year. It didn't add up. Don't tell me what my role is going to be when we haven't even started workout."
He also adds one last shot towards the Texans about going to the Colts:
"This decision has absolutely nothing to do with the Texans. This decision has everything to do with winning a Super Bowl."
Will Johnson finally be able to get that elusive Super Bowl right? How will the Texans fare next season without their all-time receiver? Tell us your thoughts below.
