Texans vs Bengals: NFL Playoffs Wait Ends For Andre Johnson As Andy Dalton, T.J. Yates Debut
HOUSTON - Year after year, dying, Andre Johnson was asked about his goals for the season and his response does not change."I want to get this team to the playoffs," he said.
Now, after years of campaigning often terrible, Johnson and Texas have reached that goal. Cincinnati will face in Saturday's game franchise in the playoffs first.
This is the 10th season in Houston and Johnson has been there for everyone, but the year 1. That makes him the player with more time on the list and the only one that has been in Houston since Coach Gary Kubiak.
The receiver is the face of the franchise. When the Texans were at their worst, was one of the only recognizable names on the computer.
Johnson was long considered one of the best receivers in the NFL, and many wondered why he decided to stay with the Texans when they were never even close to reaching the postseason.
Some also wondered if this team once the playoffs. Johnson was not among them, but never thought it would take so long.
"I always thought positive about it," he said. "It was frustrating and sometimes I've had people ask me why I'm not going, why I stay? I just wanted to be part of something special. I wanted to be here when the Texans began play in the playoffs."
Johnson had chances to leave, but signed two contract extensions. The second will keep him with the team until 2016. Everyone in the organization is pleased to receive 30 years old, is finally getting the shot of the playoffs.
"Think how long it has endured here in Houston," said Kubiak, who was hired in 2006. "A lot of guys in this day and move over time, go somewhere else, they lose patience. André has never done that. It's been a stone around here."
Johnson has had a difficult time, dealing with injuries to both hamstrings. The seven games he has played this season are a career low. He finished with more than 1,200 yards receiving in each of the past three seasons, including a 1575 record in 2008, but had a run of 492 worst this season.
He played for the first time since December 04 last week against the Titans, but was limited to about 15 plays. Kubiak said he will return to full speed Saturday and expected to be key in the game.
"It went," said Johnson. "I did not get to play much this year, but to be back healthy and ready for the playoffs is very exciting. So I'm going to go out there and give everything I have."
Both quarterbacks in this game are not part of the history of Johnson. Houston T.J. Cincinnati Dalton Yates and Andy are novices, the first time two rookie quarterbacks have met in a playoff game.
Yates, the former third-string quarterback, was thrust into the job after the season ending injury to Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart.
"That makes it even more important for children who have been the work of this team, Andre Johnson who have been here forever and stuck with this organization and waited a moment like this," said Yates. "It makes you want to work harder for them just so you can make the most special moment for them."
Cincinnati made the playoffs last in 2009, but has been to the playoffs only three times in the past 21 years. Their last postseason victory came at the end of the 1990 season with a 41-14 victory over the Oilers.
Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth said the players do not talk much about how much time has passed since they advanced in the postseason.
"We have some guys who were about to be born when that happened," he said. "We have some young players on this team. I promise that some of them have no clue about it. Just focus on what we can do to make your best and win for our city and the Cincinnati Bengals."
Bengals receiver A.J. Green has had an exceptional first year. He became the first rookie receiver to make the Pro Bowl since Anquan Boldin in 2003. He finished the regular season with 65 receptions for 1.057 yards and seven touchdowns.
He also realizes how lucky he is to be in the playoffs, as Cincinnati cornerback Nate Clements has waited more than a decade in coming.
"Being my first year and was the first time in the playoffs, I have not experienced anything else," said Green. "Just talking to a guy like Nate, who has been in the league 11 years and this is your first time in the playoffs. That is crazy. So that's a good feeling."
As for Johnson and the Texans, who now have to find new goals after finally accomplishing this? It was not long for that.
"There is no greater goal than just making the playoffs," said Johnson. "You cannot be satisfied with it. The goal is to reach the Super Bowl."...
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