Andre Johnson hires new agent, hopes to secure sweeter contract

Andre Johnson is showing the Texans he’s ready to play hardball by hiring Houston-based agent Kennard McGuire to represent him, according to a person close to the Pro Bowl wide receiver.

Johnson, 28, had been advised by his uncle, Andre Melton, in his first two negotiations with the Texans — a six-year, $39 million contract ($12.5 million guaranteed) in July 2003 and an eight-year, $60 million extension ($15 million guaranteed) in March 2007.

Johnson, who missed the first three days of organized team activities before reporting Thursday, is unhappy with his contract that has five years remaining and calls for him to make a $5.8 million base salary this year.

After working out with his teammates for the first time Thursday, Johnson said he was there to stay. Johnson (6-3, 225 pounds) will focus on football and allow McGuire to see if he can convince general manager Rick Smith to give his new client a better deal.

McGuire represents NFL receivers Brandon Marshall, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Torry Holt.

He recently negotiated Marshall’s four-year, $47.5 million extension with Miami that included $23 million guaranteed.

McGuire negotiated Texans receiver Andre Davis’ four-year, $16 million contract that included $8 million guaranteed.

Among McGuire’s other clients are defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, offensive tackle Orlando Pace, defensive end Cory Redding and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers.

Johnson, who has earned about $27 million in the first three years of his extension, has been voted to the Pro Bowl in three of the past four years. He led the NFL in yards receiving in each of the past two seasons with 1,575 in 2008 and 1,569 in 2009. He had 115 and 101 receptions over the past two seasons.

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(chron.com)