Texans' Andre Johnson continues to prove his worth

HOUSTON — Somewhere in his life, Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson must have missed a memo.

In the evolution of this grand game that occupies so much of our fall weekends, it was determined that the pass catchers are supposed to make a spectacle of themselves every time they make a great play or score a touchdown.

Not Johnson.

He treated Sunday afternoon like just another day at the office, catching 11 passes for 141 yards in Houston's closer-than-it-should-have-been, 28-21 triumph over winless Detroit at Reliant Stadium.

"I've been given a lot of opportunities the last three games and made the best of them," Johnson said after finishing his third consecutive game with more than 100 yards in receptions.

He could have said that it's about time the Texans recognized his vast talents, or that if they want to win, they better give him the ball.

Not Johnson.

"I've never been a person who complains," he said. "Whatever's given to me, I take it and make the best of it. I don't need that attention."

And this guy played in college at the University of Miami, the same school that introduced swagger into the vernacular of college football and produced such demonstrative athletes as Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp and Ray Lewis.

Cincinnati's Chad Johnson and Dallas' Terrell Owens seem to talk more than they play football. Andre Johnson may be the antithesis of those receivers, but he won't disparage them.

"I think it's just people's personalities," he said. "I'm going to go home and turn on ESPN and see who dances.

"They're just having fun because it's their personalities."

Andre said he and Chad, who also grew up in Miami but are not related, are good friends.

Andre Johnson would prefer to talk about his teammates when the Texans win. Tight end Owen Daniels caught six passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns Sunday.

"Owen is showing he's one of the top tight ends in the league," Johnson said.

The Texans' coaches and players know how much Johnson means to this team.

"He's a special player on his way to a special season," coach Gary Kubiak said of Johnson, who has grabbed 45 passes for 629 yards in six games. "He's got a lot of confidence right now and we've expanded his role."

Kubiak said he talked with Johnson after the second game of the season, when the Texans lost to Tennessee 31-12 and he missed some plays.
Johnson listened and responded.

"I expect a great deal out of him and we're getting it," Kubiak said. "He's the heart and soul of this place."

Johnson is the most effective offensive weapon in franchise history, and defenses still appear clueless about how to stop him.

"They reminded me of the Indianapolis defense," he said of the Lions. "They had holes, but you had to find the spots because they're well disciplined."

"It surprised me how he caught so many balls (today) after the week he had (last Sunday)," Texans guard Chester Pitts said of Johnson, who caught 10 passes for 178 yards the week before against Miami. "When you're that caliber of player, it doesn't matter what they do. He's as good as they come."

(statesman.com)