Open letter to Andre Johnson

Nov 24, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) makes a reception during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Reliant Stadium. The Jaguars defeated the Texans 13-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Mr. Andre Johnson,

It has come to my attention (Actually, the attention of every Texan fan alive) that you are having thoughts on how your time here, in Houston, may be limited in the future. It’s easy to understand your doubts and concerns. As frustrating as it is for fans to watch their favorite team and players go through rough times knowing they have given everything they can to make things work out, it must be even more frustrating being one of the one’s putting out the effort.

None of us know what has been going through your mind this off season; how could we? You have been a Houston icon for a very long time. I can’t think of a place in this nation where someone isn’t talking about that legend in Houston, Andre Johnson. I know fans of other teams must have start frothing at the mouth as soon as the word of your concerns in Houston became public. I can’t imagine any football fan not dreaming of a possible opportunity to pick up a talent like you.

After taking the time to read more and more rumors and replaying your own words over and over, I still do not know what direction you might be considering. I suppose no one does, maybe not even you….yet.

Sure, it wouldn’t be difficult to find a team that would take you but for you, it would have to make sense to go where ever you might get an offer. All of the “Superbowl ready” teams have too much of a salary cap issue to make a worthy offer. Any team with money to burn would be in no better (probably worse) shape than the Texans in a ‘rebuild’ period.

So far, you are probably seeing this letter as a desperate cry from a fan based editorial to discourage you from jumping to another team. I’d be lying if I said there was no truth to that. However, the truth is, it wouldn’t make sense to head to another team trying to build a Superbowl winner as you would have put yourself in no better position than you have been in the past.

Another possibility would be disappointing for both fans and you. The thought of going the way of Barry Sanders and just retiring in good standing? No one would fault you. But, the thought that maybe….that one last season…. Well, I think you know where I’m going with that.

I would like to say one thing before coming to a close. I have been here and saw the first two sets of coaches that you went through. At no point did anything jump out at me from either of them that gave me the feeling of going to the big game. This new set of guys, I get a completely different feel from. You have to do what you feel is right but, I don’t see a downside to the changes made over the off season. O’Brien and crew seem to have that win or go home mentality that has been missing from the leadership in the coaching staff since day one.

Mr. Johnson, I would say this will be the best chance to leave a season with a ring the Texans have ever had. With the key players in place and the never say die as long as we work as a team attitude from the new coaching staff, I can’t see where you could go wrong giving it that one more season. Make it or not, just knowing that you gave it that one last shot will go a long way.

The city of Houston loves you. Not just as the incredible player you have shown to be but the man of the community you have been for so many unfortunate to otherwise have a good Thanksgiving day or Christmas morning. Your giving skills, as much as receiving, is what made you the man we all know and love. On behalf of your entire fan base, we ask, give us one more year. I think you will have no regrets at the end.

The decision is yours, of course. But, now you have heard from the fans. Read the Twitter posts. Sift through facebook. We are out there number 80 and we support you no matter what you do.