Andre Johnson urges patience about Texans’ offense, C.J. Stroud-Nico Collins tandem: ‘You’ll see a different team’

HOUSTON – When Andre Johnson was building his Pro Football Hall of Fame career with the Texans, the star wide receiver commanded constant attention from defenses.

It isn’t much different from all of the extra coverage being commanded by current Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins.

The Los Angeles Rams, through their strategy and pass rush, held the Texans to three field goals in a 14-9 loss to open the season. Collins was held to three catches for 25 yards on five targets. The Texans didn’t score a touchdown in the debut for new offensive coordinator Nick Caley.

When Johnson was plying his trade for the Texans, he and quarterback Matt Schaub used a lot of nonverbal cues and body language to adapt to defenses designed to curtail his impact.

"I know for me when I was playing, me and Schaub talked a lot, and it was just certain routes and things," Johnson told KPRC 2 during a Dick’s Sporting Goods shopping spree in Meyerland he hosted for kids from the Greater Houston YMCA. “I would be like, ‘Hey, man, if you see somebody sitting in there, I’m going to just break my route off.

“And those are the different things you just learn with time and just consistently doing reps over and over. So, a lot that stuff has to come between him and CJ., with time. Those things will happen.”

The Texans get another chance on offense Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The defending AFC South champions were limited to 265 net yards and 18 first downs against the Rams, going 0 for 1 in the red zone and 2 of 9 on third down. They were frequently in long down-and-distance situations due to penalties, committing 11 as a team for 80 yards with seven penalties on offense.

“It’s a marathon,” Johnson said. “Of course, everybody wants to win their first game. I think I’ve had that goal from high school all the way through. That was one of your first goals in the opening game. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen.

“It was a hard-fought game. I’m thinking going into that game, it’s going to be a defensive game, because both teams have really good defenses, so just excited to see. Because you don’t really get to play a lot in the preseason no more like you used to. So, it’s kind of like you get your feet wet in that first game and then come out there on Monday night and we’ll see what happens.”

Last week marked Caley’s debut as a play-caller in an NFL regular season game. The Texans’ new playbook is still gaining familiarity with the players and the offensive line was shuffled due to injuries.

“It’s a lot of time that goes into this guy and everybody being on the same page,” Johnson said. “The offensive coordinator is asking around the players that he has to ssee the things that they’re comfortable with and be able to put them in a great position to make plays.

“I don’t think anybody should get too caught up about one thing. I think you’ll see a different team."

Stroud, a former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, completed 19 of 27 passes for 188 yards and no scores. He was intercepted once when cornerback Cobie Durant took the football away from rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins. Stroud was sacked three times, too.

“First time out there, and it’s a lot of bullets flying,” Johnson said. “I don’t think CJ would say he played great.t I think just to see him out there moving around and we got to also make sure we protect them better. But I just think with time, it’ll get better and better.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com