Amid the rare perception of offseason success, the Raiders are now being connected to a speculative trade for receiver Andre Johnson.
Freshly-arrived Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub played with Johnson in Houston, which is further fueling the rumors.
Johnson made some comments to Houston media Monday, questioning whether he remains a fit for the team:
“Nobody’s been here as long as I have. You just kind of look at things; I’ve been thinking about things this offseason. And I just kind of wonder sometimes, ‘Is this still the place for me?’”
The tandem began playing together in 2007, and both were particularly effective, Johnson’s best statistical season coming in 2009, when Schaub first started all 16 games for Houston.
Johnson caught 101 passes that year, for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns. 2009 was even better for the quarterback, with Schaub posted a career best passer rating, 98.6, career high touchdown passes, 29, and career high passing yards of 4,770.
The two have remained a dominant force since meeting up, and if Johnson tells the Texans that he wants out, Oakland would be a totally reasonable landing spot.
The Raiders have a similar offensive scheme that Houston did, with a much better offensive line, and have complimentary weapons in the passing game that Johnson never had in Houston.
Moreover, the price could be totally affordable.
The new regime in Houston has made it clear that they’re looking to the future with their personnel. They’ve drafted a new quarterback, traded away Schaub, added two defensive weapons, and not a single receiver.
Should Johnson request a trade or simply hold out, the Houston would be in quite a pickle. They’d be more likely to accept minimal compensation, a sixth or seventh round draft pick, or a young receiver.
One like Denarius Moore.
As every second passes, the Texans are surely getting anxious, which could also force them to take very little. Especially when Johnson says:
“I just look at my career. … I’ve only been to the playoffs twice. I think we’ve only had three winning seasons. I don’t think any player wants to experience that. I think over time it can become very frustrating. And this offseason has been very frustrating for me; beginning of the offseason, I should say. That’s just kind of where I’m at right now.”
Though the Raiders like some of their young receivers, most of them are expendable. And after not drafting one this year, the team could still be in the market for a dependable veteran, particularly one with a chip on his shoulder.
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