7 Open Training Camp Dates

[barrett]

Originally Posted by painekiller

It's not about money? That's not what is being reported. NFL Network had reports up that AJ had talked to the coaches and was ready to come in after a week of sitting out. It is reported, that he asked for his $1M offseason work out bonus and the team told him no way, he missed a week worth of workouts and he did not earn the bonus, and the team is also said to have told him not to come in. The report goes on to say AJ then demanded to be traded.

So if these reports are true then it's about the money, as much as anything.

Also if true this is another case of Rick Smith messing up a negotation.

Blaming Rick Smith for AJ missing training camp is stupid.

AJ has not made a single sound about a new deal. He skipped summer workouts because he wanted to play for a winner. He is one of the highest paid WRs in the league and has 3 more years left on his deal. If we let him out of the deal he would make less not more (both short term and long). This is not a money issue. This is about him not wanting to spend his last year of relevance fielding ground balls from Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The request for the return of the bonus was a sign of Andre giving in and coming to work. Us saying no is a sign we want to make an example of this situation. I would imagine that is far more about BOB than Rick Smith (like Chuck said, BOB is a tough guy). Smith has never handled any negotiation like that. And even if it was Smith, I have no problem with how anyone has handled this on either side. One guy wants out, one team doesn't want him out. Just because 2 sides disagree doesn't mean we have to assign blame.

[Warren]

While I don't think money is only issue, I think it is part of the problem:

This all started in 2007 when the Texans convinced Johnson to sign a 6 year extension for pennies on the dollar that would keep him in Houston until 2014. By 2010 Johnson realized how bad a contract this was as his salary was being jumped by far less talented players and tried to hold out, which resulted in a small raise and bigger incentives in exchange for two more contract years that would essentially block him from ever becoming an unrestricted free agent as he made the turn deeper into his 30′s as long as he remained a very productive player.

Since that initial contract Johnson has been named to five Pro Bowls, two All Pro teams and produced at least 1,400 yards in four of the last six seasons, many of which were spent catching passes from quarterbacks who were not exactly top of the NFL caliber players. He’s done all of this while playing somewhere in the ballpark of $6 million less a season than Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals, who has never approached the top end statistical seasons that Johnson has.

overthecap.com

By the way, in 2007 Andre was represented by his uncle.

[Nconroe]

Tania Ganguli @taniaganguli Follow
Johnson's visit was absolutely meaningful, though I can see why those close to him would want to downplay that. #Texans
1:39 PM - 22 Jul 2014

It may be a positive sign that things are calming down and Andre may just show up for training camp Friday or very soon.

It would be nice if AJ could get back a posiitive team attitude and approach as the Texans top player of the past 11 years and likely Hall of Fame entrant and maybe finish up his career here as a happy Texan.

I guess nothing guaranteed at this point.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Warren

While I don't think money is only issue, I think it is part of the problem:
overthecap.com

By the way, in 2007 Andre was represented by his uncle.

The money Andre lost (and his uncle clearly lost him some) is basically irrecoverable. He could have cashed in more during the last 5 years, but if we cut him today, he would sign for less than he is set to make. There is not a team in the NFL that would give him more than we are giving him. He may be upset about what he could have made in his career, he may want back the $1 million bonus (who wouldn't), but he didn't stop coming to practice because he wanted more money. And if he comes back it won't be because he got more. And if he somehow ends up on another team it won't be because that team pays him more than we do.

[Nconroe]

So, is anyone going to an open practice this weekend? I'm going the following weekend.

What might be most interesting to find out or observe?

I think only 12 practices in preseason can have pads so not sure if day we go the team will be in pads or not.

My thoughts initially on a few questions -

1. How is Clowney and all LB looking so far?

2. How does Fitzpatrick and all QB look right now?

3. How do the RB look?

4. How do the FG kickers look?

[barrett]

I'm going August 1. I never really see a ton out of practice to be honest. It is fun to go, but hard to really judge guys without hitting and live opponents.

In the preseason I am very curious about the RB Blue. Many RBs were underused in college and had it actually help them quite a bit in the pros due to less wear and tear (Priest Holmes). If he is talented and has low miles, he could very well be our starter in 2015. Or he could be cut by September. I guess I'm curious.