[h=2]Andre Johnson’s Reason For Choosing The Colts: “Andrew Luck”[/h] Posted 5 hours ago
Kevin Bowen Colts.com Writer
About Kevin @KBowenColts
[h=3]Intro: The Colts second day of free agency was a bit quieter, but not before they added a potential Hall of Famer in Andre Johnson.[/h]
INDIANAPOLIS – For a player with <nobr>
Andre Johnson
</nobr>’s Canton-like resume, one would imagine teams were in hot pursuit of the seven-time Pro Bowler once he hit the open market earlier this week.
If Johnson wanted to, he could listen to recruiting pitches he hadn’t heard since choosing the University of Miami out of high school.
For the first time in his 12 historic NFL seasons, Johnson was a free agent.
What was he looking for?
“<nobr>
Andrew Luck
</nobr>.”
Johnson didn’t hesitate when speaking about the Colts quarterback being the top wish in his next NFL destination.
Despite catching balls from six different quarterbacks the last three years, and reaching his 30s, Johnson hasn’t slowed down from a production standpoint.
Since 2012, Johnson has averaged 102 catches and 1,313 yards per season.
Now, he will be on the receiving end from one of the game’s brightest young gunslingers.
“When I was released, a lot of my friends were like, ‘I guess you are probably going to go to the Patriots to play with Tom Brady or something like that.’ In my mind, ‘I’m like, you all must not know about that kid down in Indy,’” Johnson said of Andrew Luck on Wednesday evening.
“That was the big thing. I wanted to go somewhere with a stable quarterback. The thing about Andrew, he’s going to be around for a while. He’s a heck of a player. I think he’s a very special player. I can’t wait to get to work with him.”
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Free Agency 2015 - Andre Johnson Arrives
Johnson will give Luck one of the most decorated pass catchers in NFL history.
In 12 seasons with the Texans, Johnson ranks ninth in NFL history in receptions (1,012), 12[SUP]th[/SUP] in receiving yards (13,597). His 6.0 receptions per game are the best in NFL history and his 80.5 receiving yards per game are second in league annals.
What Johnson has meant to the Houston organization was summed up pretty accurately earlier this week by Texans GM Rick Smith.
“No player in the history of this franchise has represented the team, city and community in a more professional way,” Smith said of Johnson. “Andre is a Hall of Fame caliber player and we appreciate his years of service and contributions to our team.”
Johnson, who was never able to help the Texans win a road game in Indianapolis, will now be dressing in the home locker room at Lucas Oil Stadium.
His leadership in a “very explosive” receiver group will be a welcomed addition, along with a frame (6-3, 220 pounds) that has burned the Colts so many times.
Once Johnson sat back and truly evaluated where he wanted to go for his 13[SUP]th[/SUP] NFL season, his biggest rival stood the tallest.
Between now and April 20, Johnson will retreat to Miami and continue to workout for a season he expects to last until February 7, 2016.
“That’s what it’s about. It’s not about anything else,” Johnson said of the elusive end goal. “It’s why I play the game to try and win championships. I felt like this was the best place to help the organization.”
“Once I signed the deal, I was like, ‘I’m ready to get going.”’
