Texans WR Johnson back without promise of new deal

Star wide receiver Andre Johnson returned to the Texans’ fold Thursday, sounding chastened after missing the team’s first three voluntary organized team activities and seemingly suggesting he wouldn’t skip future off-season workouts as a way of showing dissatisfaction with his contract.

“I didn’t feel right being at home,” Johnson said. “That’s not me. I never miss OTAs. I’ve always been here, so I came in. I’m man enough to say that it was (out of character for him to be a no-show). I’m disappointed about it. I talked to everybody (in Texans’ management). There are no grudges and I don’t have any grudges toward them. We’re just going to move on.

“You can’t really win against the organization. When you’re under contract, they can hold you to it. It’s up to them to re-do it, give you an extension or whatever. They really don’t have to do anything. But I’m past all that now. I’m here working and I’m going to continue to work and hopefully we can achieve our goal of getting to the playoffs and winning the super Bowl.

“Hopefully everything works out. That’s it. I plan on being a Texan until the day I retire.”

The 28-year-old Johnson was the Texans’ first draft choice in 2003 and has made the Pro Bowl three of the last four seasons. But, before he posted back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons with 226 receptions in 2008-09, he signed an eight-year, $60 million extension in March of 2007 that included $15 million in guaranteed money. He stands to earn $5.8 million in 2010 base salary.

In an arrangement that’s rare among high-profile NFL players, Johnson has always been represented by his uncle, Andre Melton, who isn’t an officially certified agent.

Asked if he had “outperformed his contract,” Johnson said: “Well, you know, everybody has certain feelings, but I’d rather not talk about it.”

Owner Bob McNair also met with the press  to discuss the situation. He said the team was willing to hear Johnson out. They spoke for the first time Wednesday.

“Andre came to see me and wanted to assure me that he loved being a Texan and that he’s a team player, that nothing has changed,” McNair said. “I told him we just missed having him out here and that we wanted him out here.

“With any of our players, if they’ve got something they want to talk about, we’re always willing to sit down and review their situation . . . help them understand what the team’s obligations and parameters are. There are some things we can do and some things we can’t.

“Andre’s a special player so, of course, we’ll listen. We’ll see what’s bothering him, where he’s coming from, and then see if something can be done.”

McNair said he wouldn’t personally participate in any process that might lead to a re-structuring of Johnson’s deal.

“I don’t do any negotiations,” he said. “(General manager) Rick Smith handles that.”

Smith didn’t make himself available for comment. There’s no word yet on when Smith and Johnson might sit down together.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak admitted he felt a measure of relief seeing No. 80 in the mix, even if the OTAs aren’t mandatory.

“It’s great to have him back,” Kubiak said. “Andre’s been the heart and soul of this football team for a long time. I’m not worried about Andre. He’ll be ready to play. Nobody works harder than him. “But you’ve got to understand there’s about 30 new faces out here who know who he is but didn’t see him in the locker room the last few days That’s really important. (Everybody’s) energy just picked up today.”  

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(chron.com)