Andre Johnson could give Dallas Cowboys a lot to handle

Size : 6-3, 223
Position: Wide receiver
Season : 8th
College : Miami

Strengths: Johnson has prototypical size, speed and strength, making him the most physically gifted receiver in the NFL. He ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and had a 35-inch vertical jump when he was tested coming out of college. As he showed Sunday in out-jumping Washington Redskins safety Reed Doughty in the end zone, Johnson has the ability to get to the ball at its highest point. He also has great hands and is a good route runner. He can run all the routes and will make the tough catch in traffic. He finished fourth in receptions of 20-plus yards last season with 20. Johnson is a physical player, and he buys separation because of that.

Weaknesses : Johnson has a sprained ankle that makes him day-to-day this week. He has had some injuries in his career, having missed 10 games. Johnson could make better use of head and shoulder fakes. He occasionally has had timing issues with his quarterback during his career.

Last week : Johnson caught 12 passes for 158 yards and had a clutch fourth-down, fourth-quarter touchdown over Redskins safety Reed Doughty to tie the score. Houston rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat Washington 30-27 in overtime.

Who has to stop him? The Cowboys have had Terence Newman shadow Carolina's Steve Smith in the past. But generally, Newman and Mike Jenkins remain on their respective sides -- Jenkins on the right and Newman on the left -- with Orlando Scandrick covering the slot. The Texans will line up Johnson everywhere. Jenkins injured his knee against the Chicago Bears, but coach Wade Phillips said Monday he expects Jenkins to practice this week and start Sunday.

Notable: Johnson was the No. 3 overall pick in 2003.... In 26 career games against NFC teams, Johnson has caught 176 passes for 2,453 yards and 17 touchdowns. ... Texans receivers led the NFL in fewest dropped passes last season, according to STATS, Inc. They dropped 20 of 409 catchable passes. That 4.8 percent led the New Orleans Saints' 5.3.... Johnson is trying to become the first receiver in history to reach 1,500 yards in three consecutive seasons.... Since the merger in 1970, Johnson is tied with Marvin Harrison with 14 games of at least 10 catches and 100 yards. Jerry Rice had 15.

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



(star-telegram.com)