Say It Ain't So: Farewell Andre Johnson

The Houston Texans are quickly working to shape this roster for the 2015 season.

It’s not even draft time yet and we already know that this team is going to look a lot different when they take field in September.

I’d never thought I’d see the day but the Texans have requested that Andre Johnson seek a trade or if he doesn’t find one, he’ll be cut from the team to save nearly $9 million off the 16.1 million he would’ve been owed. He’ll still make $7.3 million in various bonuses which are always guaranteed.

Wait?!?

Cut Andre Johnson?

The man that has been here longer than any person on the current roster, the man who maintains the utmost in congeniality, the man who will eventually have his jersey retired?

Yes, that day is here Texans fans.

The days of seeing ‘Dre don the Deep Steel Blue, Battle Red and Liberty White are over.

There’s absolutely no chance of last-minute deal to keep him, he wants to leave to go on coveted chase for a Super Bowl ring and for that I don’t blame him.

Mar 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver

Andre Johnson

waves to the crowd during the game between the Houston Rockets and the Memphis Grizzlies at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

It’s going a to be a short while before we get there and Father Time has an interesting way of letting us know how long we can do things.

At this very moment, he’s sprinting at break-neck pace to make sure that Mr. Time doesn’t catch him.

For what it’s worth, I think he can beat that clock, especially he goes to a contender.

But wait.

There is a contender-in-waiting that has already expressed interest for No. 80’s services.

Who could that be?

The Indianapolis Colts.

There are reports that he could fetch up to $10 million — or more — from them.

Jim Irsay is ready to tuck his flask away in his jacket pocket and welcome him with open arms (and wallet).

Let me tell you this.

If Johnson became a member of the Colts, I’d start vacillating back-and-forth in disbelief.

I’d be like as if he were going to our enemy, the team that his been the nemesis and the divisional thorn in our side for most of the time since 2002.

I can see it now.

Every time he plays us, he’ll be performing as if he had a chip on his shoulder, that he has something to prove and will continue to pound the Texans with every breathtaking catch that he’ll make.

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It even feels funny to start saying the phrase “so how are the Texans going to game-plan for Andre Johnson?”

Even worse — Texans’ voice Marc Vandermeer on the call twice a year bellowing “shotgun in the backfield…Luck drops back to pass to Andre Johnson for a gain.”

Uggggh, that doesn’t feel right…

It’s eerie, it feels weird but it’s going to happen.

He’s going there.

Chuck Pagano recruited him at the U and he’s really good friends with Reggie Wayne, the guy that will likely pass the torch over to Johnson.

Plus, the Colts are rolling in the dough — they possess a war chest of nearly $42.3 million in cap space this season meaning that they can more than afford to pay him what he wants.

He would be playing with an top-tier quarterback in Andrew Luck and paired with T.Y. Hilton which could provide a deadly one-two punch for anybody that faces them in the league.

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) jumps into the stands after scoring a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s face it — although Johnson did not receive for 1,000 yards for the first time in a mostly healthy season since 2003, his rookie year, he still was a damn good option at wide out.

He was targeted 145 times last season for 936 yards, quite low for the touches but what do you expect?

He didn’t have much continuity at the quarterback position last season.

He had four different quarterbacks throwing to him in Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mallett, Tom Savage and Case Keenum.

With the vast differences in personalities and offensive styles under center, I’m surprised Johnson didn’t shake his head in disbelief wondering why in the hell he was still here.

But there he was — being the team player that he is, being the man of few words and complimenting whomever he was catching balls from.

From the outside looking in, in media appearances, it appeared as if he embraced the Texans move in a new direction but on the inside, I think felt as if he were a caged bird trying to figure out a way to escape.

Well, you’re free from captivity ‘Dre, you can know fly away and get that ring you so seek.

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I’ve thought about this for a long time and I’m okay with you leaving.

I’m still not too hot on you going to the Colts but hey, you’ve got to secure yourself financially and have a legitimate shot to get to the big show.

The big show that you’ve never had admission to and felt as if you were a person on the outside looking in — pressing your face against the cold glass of a packed venue on a February day like a hopeful, watching others gain access with you wishing one day that you’d get that ticket to go inside.

I think you will — not only that, but you’ll be front and center, the headliner if you will.

And you know what?

All of us in H-Town are going to be damn proud.

You don’t want to stay here — Bill O’Brien has turned into the semblance of an executive at Wal-Mart, slashing prices left and right to remain competitive.

Everything must go — including you.

Go where you’re needed, appreciated and can leave your mark in different way.

I just ask that the Texans give him what he wants and release him from the team.

For the record, your last game as a Texan was Dec. 28, 2014 where you had caught 10 balls for 134 yards with one touchdown.

Say It Ain’t So: Farewell Andre Johnson

By Brian K. Patterson | Mar 6, 2015

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