Andre Johnson, Houston Texans / Image: Zuma Press

Yesterday was just another Sunday for Andre as he caught 10 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns—this while being the focal point of one of the NFL’s best defenses in the Tennessee Titans. Did you hear him shooting off at the mouth about it afterward? No, he just goes about his job, striking fear in the hearts of defensive backs around the league. The only thing holding him back is his team. Yesterday, the Texans actually won a football game—something they’ll need to do a lot more of before Andre gets his deserved credit.

Source: NFL.com, Tennessean.com

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Andre Johnson is the NFL’s Best Receiver

Dunta Robinson, Houston Texans / Image: Zuma Press

Dunta has been upset about not being able to reach a long-term contract with the team, so he thought a public expression of his displeasure would solve the problem. Unfortunately for Dunta, the stunt didn’t generate more income. It achieved just the opposite. But he put a positive spin on the situation by requesting the money be donated to a Boys and Girls Club or a needy family. Nice.

Source: NFL.com

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‘Pay Me, Rick’ Costs Dunta Robinson $25K

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Adam “Pacman” Jones appeared on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” this morning, being interviewed by Stephen A. Smith. He had a similar interview with CBS Sports’ James Brown yesterday and said he expected to be employed by an NFL team next season — maybe even with the Dallas Cowboys. I think Adam is being extremely optimistic. Unless the Oakland Raiders come calling, I don’t think any other team is that nuts for a pretty average, troublemaking cornerback/kick returner. Maybe the UFL is interested?

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Pacman Thinks He’ll Play in 2009

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Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson might be the best receiver in the National Football League. It’s hard to argue with his numbers this season. Andre is leading the NFL in receptions (103) and receiving yards (1,408). But it’s his work off-the-field that might be most impressive on his resume. Andre’s foundation began in 2003 as a way to help single-parent homes. One of his goals is to let kids know they can go out and accomplish what they want in life despite any obstacles. Andre has special plans for the holiday season:

“Last year for Christmas, I had about 15 underprivileged kids from foster homes and things like that who really don’t receive anything for the holidays. I took all of them to Toys-R-Us and I first let them walk around the store and see where everything was. Then I let them run through the store and get whatever they wanted in a minute and a half. I gave them whatever game system they wanted, whether it was the Xbox or Playstation 3.”

Andre’s in the prime of his career and with the wealth of youthful talent surrounding him, it’s hard to imagine that the Houston Texans won’t be a playoff contender sooner than later.

Source: NFLPlayers.com, Photo: Newscom

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Andre Johnson Helps Single-Parent Homes

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The Houston Texans are 6-7 and with three games remaining on the 2008 schedule. Sadly, they find themselves three games behind in the race for the final AFC playoff spot. In other words, the Houston Texans are most likely going to miss the playoffs this season. But with an impressive 24-21 road win against the Green Bay Packers this afternoon, the Texans are offering a glimpse of what they could be next season. Of course, this is what they were expected to be this season, but better late than never, I guess. Head coach Gary Kubiak knows this:

“I just think right now that we are battling like heck. We are a football team that got off to a very bad start this year. We are out there battling for respect, trying to become a good football team. The effort on our football team right now is tremendous, just watching them push each other. That locker room I just left was one of the best locker rooms I’ve ever left after a game. That’s the direction — we have a bunch of good kids in there. We just need to keep going in that direction.”

The key ingredient to continuing in the right direction is quarterback Matt Schaub and his health. Matt has only started eight games this season, but he’s won four of his last five starts and has a QB rating of 93. This is what the Texans envisioned when they brought him in two years ago. If Matt can stay healthy and the young Texans can continue to upgrade their talent, this will be a team to reckon with in 2009. Really.

Source: HoustonTexans.com, Photo: Newscom

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Matt Schaub Key to Texans’ Success

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There are so many different angles I could take on this post, but after having watched the Houston Texans blow a 17-point lead with six minutes and change to go, I can’t help but think this might be the game that ultimately defines their season. Backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels (filling in for sickly Matt Schaub) fumbled twice and threw an interception in the second half of the 4th quarter as the Texans lost to Indianapolis 31-27, dropping their record to 0-4. Because of the devastation of Hurricane Ike, this was the Texans first home game of the season. But the excitement of returning home and the anticipation of a first win suddenly turned into devastation. I thought they had this game won. Receiver Andre Johnson summed it up pretty well:

“You can’t put it in words. The only thing that I can say is I guess that’s why they say go out and play for 60 minutes. You never know what can happen. Everyone that’s in the locker room is in disbelief because we know we should have won that game. There’s nothing we can do about it now. We just have to move on.”

The Texans had so much promise heading into this season. So many (including myself) felt they were poised for a run at the playoffs. And while I’m not ready to tank their season just yet (although they’re a couple more consecutive losses away from just that), it’s safe to say — for one reason or another — the Houston Texans aren’t yet coming close to meeting expectations.

Source: HoustonTexans.com, Photo: Newscom

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Houston Texans Not Meeting Expectations

After Hurricane Ike left a trail of destruction throughout Texas (among other places), the Houston Texans’ Reliant Stadium suffered damage that saw five of nine Teflon-coated fiberglass roof panels get blown off. But Stadium officials say the building is sound structurally and the plan is to play the remaining home games at Reliant, but with an open roof 100% of the time. Texans owner Bob McNair was fine with that:

“I’m delighted to know there’s no structural damage and that it appears we’re going to be able to play Oct. 5 against the Colts. I’m satisfied with being able to play (at Reliant) as an open-air facility for the rest of the season. That’s fine with me.”

The Texans normally have the option of closing the roof during inclement weather, but this is certainly a more desirable solution than moving the team to a different stadium. Meanwhile, workers are repairing damage caused by rain and wind that whipped through the building once the roof panels were damaged. Winds were so strong that they broke an anchor system used to secure the doors of the West Club suite seats.

Source: Houston Chronicle

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Texans Will Play at Reliant Stadium

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Damage caused by Hurricane Ike will move Monday night’s game between the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens at Reliant Stadium to Sunday, November 9. The game was originally scheduled for tomorrow but was moved to Monday night because of the expected arrival of the hurricane. Well, it arrived, alright. The storm tore chunks off the stadium’s retractable roof (five of the nine roof panel sections are missing) and the damage can’t be fixed in time to host the game on Monday night. Short notice made it logistically impossible to play this week at rumored alternate sites like the Louisiana Superdome or Rice Stadium on the campus of Rice University. The change in dates also affects the Cincinnati Bengals bye week schedule. The NFL sorted through all their options this afternoon and decided to make the following scheduling changes for the Texans, Ravens and Bengals:

• The Texans bye has been changed from October 26 to September 14.
• The Ravens bye has been changed from November 9 to September 14.
• The Bengals bye has been changed from October 26 to November 9.

Sources: Houston Chronicle, NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Reliant Stadium Hit by Hurricane Ike

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The NFL announced this evening that the Houston Texans Week 2 game versus the Baltimore Ravens will be played Monday (instead of Sunday). Here is the official statement from the league:

“Due to the importance of allowing the Houston area to focus on its recovery from the expected arrival of Hurricane Ike on Friday, the Houston Texans’ home game Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens has been re-scheduled for Monday night at Reliant Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Houston time (8:30 p.m. ET). The game originally was scheduled to be played on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 3:15 p.m. Houston time (4:15 p.m. ET). The Texans-Ravens Monday night game will be televised on local CBS stations in the primary and secondary markets of the Texans (Houston, Beaumont-Port Arthur, and Bryan, Texas) and the Ravens (Baltimore; Washington, DC; Salisbury, MD; and Harrisburg, PA).”

For you Texan fans planning to attend, the game has been designated as “Liberty White Liftoff” to encourage all fans to wear white to the game. This is an obvious rip-off of the recent Penn State football tradition known as a “White Out” where not only the students — but everyone — wears white to the game. People even cover themselves with white paint. But it’s all in good sportsmanship. More importantly, let’s hope Hurricane Ike will only cause minimal damage. As I’m posting this, however, Ike is about 340 miles southeast of Galveston, Texas, with maximum sustained winds near the center still holding at 100 mph. A strike in this portion of the Texas coast will provide dangerous, perhaps life-threatening impacts.

Sources: HoustonTexans.com, Weather.com

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Hurricane Ike Forces Texans vs. Ravens Game to Move to Monday Night

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ESPN Magazine’s “NFL Preview 2008″ is out and about. Houston Texans defensive end Mario Williams is on the cover. If you’re a subscriber, you probably already have this. If not, it will be in stores this week.

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ESPN Magazine ‘NFL Preview 2008′