Is Texans star the best receiver? Question is catching on

Larry Fitzgerald is charismatic, Randy Moss is acrobatic and Brandon Marshall is enigmatic. But is Andre Johnson the best receiver, or is that too Socratic?

On Sunday, the Texans' star wideout caught a 14-yard pass against Miami that put him over the 1,500-yard mark. It meant that he and former Colts great Marvin Harrison are the only receivers in NFL history to have at least 1,500 yards in consecutive seasons. It's been 19 years since a player led the league in receiving yards in back-to-back seasons. Johnson has 1,504 yards this year, well ahead of Fitzgerald, Moss and Marshall.

The last player to lead in consecutive seasons? Jerry Rice.

"Andre's the whole package," said CBS analyst Rich Gannon, who broadcast the game between the Texans and Dolphins. "I was saying to [broadcast partner] Ian Eagle before the game that he's big and fast and catches the ball perfectly with his arms outstretched. He's arguably the best receiver in the game."

Argument? Not from the Dolphins.

"You can't find a weakness," said nickel back Nate Jones, who saw Johnson slip his tackle to score a 10-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

"We had our hands full with him," said cornerback Sean Smith, who was in single coverage when Johnson caught a 13-yard pass on the first play of the game. It was the last time Miami coach Tony Sparano left Johnson in single coverage.

"He's the best receiver in the league," said linebacker Charlie Anderson, who was a rookie with Houston in 2004, Johnson's second year in the league. "I'm 6-4, 240, and he looks as big as me."

Johnson is all size (6-3, 225 pounds) and speed (4.4 in the 40-yard dash), with a running back's thighs.

"He uses his size and strength to drive off defenders and catch the ball," said Dolphins commentator Jim Mandich. "He's a Rolex, others are Timex."

Johnson grew up in the shadow of Land Shark Stadium and was part of the great University of Miami team that went 12-0 in 2001 and had players like Jeremy Shockey, Ed Reed, Clinton Portis and Jonathan Vilma. On Sunday, Johnson had 150 of his friends and family sitting in Section 407, where nearby Miami fans spent the afternoon booing.

But they were booing the Dolphins. Johnson and the Texans scored on their first five possessions and kept their (slim, slender, slight) playoffs hopes alive with the 27-20 win.

"The playoffs have been my goal since Day 1," Johnson said. "I know it sounds like a broken record."

While Johnson has been breaking records, the Texans have never been to the playoffs and have never had a winning season. This is the first Houston team to even think of the postseason since the Oilers made a run in 1993.

"We're all here to take it to the next level," said quarterback Matt Schaub, who mostly played throw-and-catch with Johnson (five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown on Sunday). "Andre is so disciplined, and he opens things up for the other receivers."

Johnson addressed the topic after the game.

"There were a few times that I was in the slot running a little 5-yard out and the defenders seemed more worried about me than covering the tight end," he said. "A lot of times I was running a basketball pick."

Three of his picks resulted in 65 yards for tight end Joel Dreessen. It was a day of mismatches, with Houston coach Gary Kubiak putting Johnson in motion to create confusion and open space.

"Andre probably thinks setting picks was his biggest contribution of the game," Kubiak said of the modest receiver who doesn't analyze statistics. "He's been through so much with this franchise in seven years, yet he's never wavered from his work ethic or his offseason commitment."

Houston's game this Sunday should be a fan fiesta. Johnson and the Texans will face the AFC East champion Patriots and Wes Welker (second in AFC receiving with 1,336 yards) and Moss (fifth with 1,189). Welker leads in receptions with 122, while Johnson and the Colts' Reggie Wayne are tied for third with 95.

Want more? Welker and Johnson are tied for the most 10-plus reception games (seven) in a season. Welker is averaging 11 yards per catch this year; Johnson has him beat with 15.8. Moss is also standing tall, averaging 15.2 yards a catch.

"It's an enormous challenge for us, but I think we're ready, Kubiak said.

After the game against Miami, Johnson cut the profile of a CEO. Wearing an elegant three-piece suit and speaking in a quiet baritone, he would not say if he considers himself the best in the game.

"I'm not that big on attention," he said. "To have people ask about it, though, I suppose it means I'm headed in the right direction."

OK then, what about being the best-dressed receiver?

"Can't say that either," he said with a smile.

Click here to order Andre Johnson’s proCane Rookie Card.



(cbssports.com)