Cary Williams says 'Andre Johnson is best wide receiver I've ever faced'

PHILADELPHIA — After allowing Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald to account for 160 yards and a touchdown Sunday, things won't get any easier for the Eagles secondary this week against wide receiver Andre Johnson and the Houston Texans.

Eagles cornerback Cary Williams Wednesday called Johnson the best receiver he's faced in his six-year career.

"He can do it all," Williams said. "He has great body control. In my opinion I thought he was the best guy I faced ever. Just because of his ability to catch the ball, run routes, the ability to separate after catching the ball.

"In the run front, whether it's a run or a pass play he gives the same effort. He's not a guy that tails off in the run game. He plays for four quarters. He does it quietly. He's not a guy that's going to talk trash. He'll just get his 100-yards at times and just be quiet as heck."

Johnson, 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, has seen his production diminish this season. Through eight games the 12-year veteran has caught 46 passes for 551 yards and one touchdown.

Still, Williams says he doesn't expect this matchup against Johnson to be any different from the previous three meetings between the two while he was a member of the Baltimore Ravens.

"I think he still can [compete at an elite level]," Williams said. "I don't really know what's going on in Houston. The last couple years they seem to be going through some issues with the team or the organization, I'm not real sure. I still think [Johnson] is an elite talent. Just like I said Larry [Fitzgerald] was, and he went out and proved it with what he did last week."

In the three games that Johnson faced Williams, Johnson for the most part had the upper-hand hauling in 27 receptions for 237 yards and two touchdowns.

After a late coverage breakdown cost the Eagles Sunday in a 24-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Williams may need to come up big against Johnson to avoid a second consecutive loss.


(nj.com)