Texans WR Johnson named to NFL All-Pro team

As Texans receiver Andre Johnson was shattering his own personal records and leading the league in receptions and yards this season, he admitted he felt that he was the best receiver in the NFL.

Friday, it was clear he is hardly alone in his opinion. For the first time in his career, Johnson was named to the Associated Press' prestigious All-Pro team by receiving 45 of the 50 votes cast by sportswriters and broadcasters across the country.

Johnson was one of 15 first-timers named to the team, and he fell just five votes shy of being a unanimous selection. Only Vikings running back Adrian Peterson garnered as many votes on offense as Johnson.

Baltimore safety Ed Reed was the only player on either side of the ball to receive 50 votes.

"To be honest, I don't know what it is, but I do feel like I am the best receiver in the NFL," Johnson said. "Like I said before, everyone has their own opinion. I have a right to my own opinion.

"I also think there are a lot of great other wide receivers out there. I'm a big fan of those guys and I love to watch those guys play. I'm pretty sure they would tell you the same thing. They feel like they are the best receiver in the NFL and they love watching other guys play.

"I really don't try to get caught up in that. I just try to let my play doing the talking."

Johnson led the NFL with 115 catches and 1,575 yards, becoming the first receiver to lead the league in both categories since Chad Johnson in 2005. Johnson also caught 10 or more passes in seven games, which set a new NFL record.

Johnson said part of the reason for his success was that he focused on getting more yards after the catch. He also said he benefited from the fact that coach Gary Kubiak and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan moved him around more on the field instead of just lining him up out wide on every play.

"I remember the first day I met (Kubiak), he came up to me and told me, 'I'd like you to catch 100 balls,'" Johnson said. "I never thought in a million years I'd catch 100 balls after going through what I went through before he got here. The most catches I had before he got here were 79. When he told me that, I believed him. But at the same time in the back of my mind, I was thinking, 'Maybe he's just talking.'

"But it happened (in 2006). And the next year I started off great, but was injured. Then this year, I was able to stay healthy and was given in the opportunity and showed what I could do with those opportunities."

Johnson joined Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald as the only two receivers on the All-Pro team, and he became only the second Texan to receive the prestigious honor. Jerome Mathis was named All-Pro first team as a kick returner in 2005. Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans were second-team selections last year.

Johnson said he will enter next season trying to top what he accomplished this year, but that there are no specific numbers he will target.

"I don't set personal goals anymore," Johnson said. "My goal is getting this organization to the playoffs. That's always going to be my goal until it happens."

(chron.com)