Show of hands - Andre Johnson pulls off remarkable plays because of preparation, talent

Lying on his back after being driven to the turf, Matt Schaub never saw the completion of his game-tying 34-yard touchdown pass to Andre Johnson during the Texans' 30-27 overtime victory Sunday in Washington.

But from the right side of FedEx Field, Jacoby Jones did. And the fourth-year wide receiver said Wednesday it didn't take long to reach a conclusion on how it would unfold.

"Schaub was scrambling a little bit, and I saw him chuck that thing," he said. "I looked up, saw the ball, and I saw Dre. And when I saw Dre box (the safety) out, I put my hands up."

"I knew it was a catch. I knew it was six (points)."

That sentiment was echoed Wednesday, when Johnson was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. No one was stunned the catch was made, and perhaps the only one surprised by the accolades was Johnson, who thought Schaub was more deserving.

As for how dynamic the catch was, the quarterback and the star receiver have differing opinions. Johnson said the grab against the Redskins was probably the best of his career because it came on fourth down; Schaub, who finally saw the play, disagreed.

"I don't want to downplay it at all, but to be honest with you, that was pretty routine for him," he said. "I've seen him make that catch with three guys around him."

The target was hardly a shock, and neither was the result.

With the game at stake, the Texans turned to Johnson, 29, whose abundant physical gifts humble his teammates.

"He's 6-3, 225 pounds, moves like a cat, almost as fast as me and he's got those stickies- he's a freak of nature," Jones said.
Practice advocate

Texans receiver David Anderson sees it every day. He admired the catch, too, but he also appreciated what it illustrated.

"You have to put those little drills you do every day to work," he said. "Catch the ball at the high point, catch it with your hands, tuck it away when you catch it — if you watch the catch, he jumps up, catches it with his hands, and puts it away from the defender.

"It's stuff you practice so much it becomes second nature, and I think it's something he did at that time."

That's the message Dorin Dickerson absorbed Sunday. A rookie wide receiver making the transition from H-back to tight end at Pitt, Dickerson admits he was wide-eyed around the All-Pro at first.

Good relationship
Neither said much to the other in the beginning, but then the eight-year veteran offered a few words of encouragement to his backup - "He told me to get my motor going because sometimes as a rookie I'll have lulls," Dickerson said - in addition to providing the standard for excellence.

Although he has not recorded a reception, the arrangement has been a success - enough so that Dickerson can dare to dream of being as great as Johnson one day. Until then, though, the learning continues.

"Our receivers coach (Larry Kirksey) warms up with Andre before every game," said Dickerson, whose locker is next to Johnson's. "He said, 'Andre, you're going to have to go get the ball today.'

"They were working on that - him going up and snatching the ball out of the air, and then he did that in the game, at a crucial point."

Just reward
Such plays are indicative of why Texans owner Bob McNair broke precedent in the preseason and renegotiated his receiver's contract, resulting in Johnson being the highest-paid player at his position.

"That's Andre for you," Anderson said. "That's why he's here, that's why we pay him to stay here and why we want him here."
Anderson respects Johnson.

He'd like to think he would have made the same play in the same situation, but he realizes he'll never know.

Not like what everyone knows about Johnson, or should know.

"It's hard making it look easy," Jones said. "It hurts to make it look easy."

(chron.com)