Andre Johnson Moving Forward (1 Viewer)

[Rebel Paul]

This is NOT a SHOULD I trade Andre Johnson thread.

But I wanted to know what people's thoughts are on AJ when he comes back from injury with Leinart manning the controls. The Texans are a run-first team, unlike the Cardinals when Leinhart took over. A great ground game was something that he was lacking when he was in Arizona, and I believe Johnson can post some solid WR No. 2 numbers if he gets the right number of targets. Is that people drafted him for? Not at all. People were probably drafting him to post WR1 numbers with an offense with a good QB at the controls, but at this point, that's probably the best AJ owners can hope for.

That said, where do you rank Andre Johnson moving forward for the rest of the season particularly given the easy schedule down the stretch?

 

[Sweet Love]

Not sure where I rank AJ, but I remember (and this is going back 5+ years) we discussed on the boards the difference between Warner and Leinert at the helm in AZ. Now this was during and/or before the SB run year, but basically, if memory serves me right, Warner was an upgrade (to that point), but Leniert was very close. In fact, I think we were down to analyzing home/away stats to try to find a winner. Not saying that he will rip it up, but I think there could be a lot worse backups coming in for a particular team.

 

[Anonymous Internet User]

AJ produced with Carr at the helm for years. He can still produce. Just don't expect TDs.

 

[Breesisdaman]

AJ produced with Carr at the helm for years. He can still produce. Just don't expect TDs.

He's going to have to get a whole lot of yards then if no TD's. Otherwise a WR 2 going forward.

 

[Da Guru]

AJ produced with Carr at the helm for years. He can still produce. Just don't expect TDs.

He's going to have to get a whole lot of yards then if no TD's. Otherwise a WR 2 going forward.

If his name was Andre Smith he might be on your bench.

 

[Tau837]

Not sure where I rank AJ, but I remember (and this is going back 5+ years) we discussed on the boards the difference between Warner and Leinert at the helm in AZ. Now this was during and/or before the SB run year, but basically, if memory serves me right, Warner was an upgrade (to that point), but Leniert was very close. In fact, I think we were down to analyzing home/away stats to try to find a winner. Not saying that he will rip it up, but I think there could be a lot worse backups coming in for a particular team.

I think your memory is off on this. Here is an old post I made in January 2010 (so numbers were through the 2009 season):

I'm going to just focus on Fitz for now. This discussion will also apply to others in the offense in different ways, but that's for another post/discussion.There are really two issues to be considered here with regard to the impact on Fitz's performance going forward. First, how will his targets in 2010 and beyond compare to the targets he has received in recent years? Second, how will his production per target compare to what it was in recent years?I looked up some data for Fitz and Leinart. Given that it's hard to account for times when Leinart relieved another QB vs. when he was pulled for another QB, I just chose all games in which both played and Leinart had 20 or more passing attempts and compared them to all of Fitz's other games (regular season and postseason) from 2006 to 2009, since Leinart joined the team in 2006. Here's the data:Games in which Fitzgerald played and Leinart had 20+ pass attempts:12 games, 97 targets, 60 receptions, 742 receiving yards (12.4 ypr), 4 TDsPer 16 games, this scales to 129 targets, 80 receptions, 989 receiving yards, 5 TDsAll other games (regular season and postseason) played by Fitzgerald from 2006 to 2009:54 games, 533 targets, 345 receptions, 4847 receiving yards (14 ypr), 46 TDsPer 16 games, this scales to 158 targets, 102 receptions, 1436 receiving yards, 14 TDsObviously there is an enormous difference. This suggests that Leinart will indeed have a negative impact on Fitz's numbers. With Leinart, Fitz averaged fewer targets and his production per target was lower.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

I still think he's a WR1 with a lot of risk going forward. The Lienart factor downgrades him, and even though he's says he's much better; there is always risk that it could be re-aggravated ala Julio Jones. Still I'm looking to trade for him as his owner is desperate to win this week and AJ is on bye. This is the perfect buy low opportunity for those who like to gamble.

 

[GroveDiesel]

All I know is that the only way this season could get worse for us AJ owners at this point is if they decided to go ahead and shut him down for the rest of the year. I've waited all season for him to finally get back after the bye, and now he'll have Matt freaking Leinart throwing to him. Unbelievable. I think he'll probably put up WR2 numbers, but they'll be way more sporadic numbers than we're used to seeing from AJ.

 

[Sir Psycho]

This team will be (already is) a run first offense, specially now with Leinart.

Expect AJ to be use more as a decoy and to open bigger lane for Foster/Tate.

I'm looking to package AJ for a WR1.

 

[Tanner9919]

This team will be (already is) a run first offense, specially now with Leinart.

Expect AJ to be use more as a decoy and to open bigger lane for Foster/Tate.

I'm looking to package AJ for a WR1.

this is just talk..

Houston will not use AJ as a decoy..he's their best weapon,their only QUALITY WR, they're just going to throw him out there to keep defenses honest? no way that happens..

expect HUGE things from AJ when he returns..Houston's O-line, one of the best in the NFL, will prevent teams from stacking the line to stuff the run. Foster/Tate will still have their lanes to run thru..

Leinart has a running game to lean on,something he didn't have in Az...he'll be fine with Houston..like someone else said, AJ did it with Carr at QB..

 

[Sir Psycho]

This team will be (already is) a run first offense, specially now with Leinart.

Expect AJ to be use more as a decoy and to open bigger lane for Foster/Tate.

I'm looking to package AJ for a WR1.

this is just talk..

Houston will not use AJ as a decoy..he's their best weapon,their only QUALITY WR, they're just going to throw him out there to keep defenses honest? no way that happens..

expect HUGE things from AJ when he returns..Houston's O-line, one of the best in the NFL, will prevent teams from stacking the line to stuff the run. Foster/Tate will still have their lanes to run thru..

Leinart has a running game to lean on,something he didn't have in Az...he'll be fine with Houston..like someone else said, AJ did it with Carr at QB..

That was when Houston didn't have a good defense and the best RB in the league.

 

[Shutout]

All I know is that the only way this season could get worse for us AJ owners at this point is if they decided to go ahead and shut him down for the rest of the year. I've waited all season for him to finally get back after the bye, and now he'll have Matt freaking Leinart throwing to him. Unbelievable. I think he'll probably put up WR2 numbers, but they'll be way more sporadic numbers than we're used to seeing from AJ.

I'm in the same boat but after looking at all the guys I ahve rotated each week to fill AJ's spot, he's still better than all of them.The ONE thing I think may save us is that Leinart is a pretty good play-action guy and they have the perfect scenario in place where once or twice a game, Leinart may hit AJ and AJ is very good after the catch. Even if its just a 20 yard pass, AJ can do the rest.

You know, people have talked about how teams will load the box to stop foster now (like they weren't before..don't know what people have been watching), but IF THEY DO THAT, you still end up with less help on AJ. I think he can exploit that as he has always been a guy that can make yards after the catch.

Go AJ! Welcome back! Save me from thie nightmarish injury-riddled season!

 

[fightingillini]

This team will be (already is) a run first offense, specially now with Leinart.

Expect AJ to be use more as a decoy and to open bigger lane for Foster/Tate.

I'm looking to package AJ for a WR1.

this is just talk..

Houston will not use AJ as a decoy..he's their best weapon,their only QUALITY WR, they're just going to throw him out there to keep defenses honest? no way that happens..

expect HUGE things from AJ when he returns..Houston's O-line, one of the best in the NFL, will prevent teams from stacking the line to stuff the run. Foster/Tate will still have their lanes to run thru..

Leinart has a running game to lean on,something he didn't have in Az...he'll be fine with Houston..like someone else said, AJ did it with Carr at QB..

You're assuming that Leinart can actually throw the ball down the field. I haven't seen it from Leinart before and I have serious doubts that he can do it now.HOU is going to run the ball 30+ times a game. While I think Foster and Tate's YPC will drop a little since the defenses will have 8-9 in the box, they will run it good enough to limit how much Leinart has to throw the ball. It's going to be run the ball and play good defense in HOU.

That alone is going to limit AJ's upside. He's at best a high WR2 going forward IMO.

 

[LargeMouthBass]

Leinart : AJ ::

A) Skelton : Fitzgerald

B) Whitehurst : Rice

C) Painter : Wayne

D) Moore : Marshall

 

[wlwiles]

Leinart : AJ ::A) Skelton : FitzgeraldB) Whitehurst : RiceC) Painter : WayneD) Moore : Marshall

I think he'll end up looking a lot like Fitzgerald going forward, solid WR2 with a couple big games. I waited on his injury for several weeks but got in a bind last week and packaged him with others to get more RB depth. I've been second guessing my decision all week thinking I gave too much but this news makes me think I did just right. I'd say if you could sell him on name alone to the right owner and get great value out of him you should do it. No way he's a consistent WR1 after the bye with Leinart holding the reins.