Nico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)
Newly-minted Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Johnson stays close to the NFL scene, regularly attending Texans' practices and games. The retired star wideout stays in tune with the locker room, spending time with players and providing knowledge to the next generation of Texans stars.
As one of the greatest wide receivers in the history of the game, Johnson pays particularly close attention to the Texans' ultra-talented receiving corps headlined by Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs. For a scouting report on one of the best receiving tandems, RG.org spoke with Johnson this week exclusively.
Collins leads the NFL with 489 receiving yards on 30 receptions for a 16.3 average per reception with two touchdowns. He has set a torrid season pace of 128 catches for 2,078 yards and nine touchdowns heading into Sunday's pivotal home game against the Buffalo Bills in a battle of 3-1 AFC conference first-place squads.
Collins broke DeAndre Hopkins' franchise yardage record set in 2018 for most yards at this stage of the season.
Signed to a three-year, $75 million contract this offseason, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound former Michigan standout is proving to be a wise investment from general manager Nick Caserio. Collins has overcome past durability issues by taking up hot yoga and devoting himself to body work emphasizing flexibility at Revolve Physical Therapy.
"I've had a chance to get to know Nico and I remember when Nico first got here and I remember people telling me, 'Hey, man, talk to this kid, he has what it takes to be great,'" Johnson said during a Crown Royal interview with RG.org. "He went through a few things, nothing major. It was just little things that I would see from him when he would practice. Where he's at right now, I like it.
"It makes you smile because it's like when you see a guy put in the work and do the things he needs to do and the way he plays. Man, I love the way he plays the game. To me, he reminds me of myself a little bit. I love his physicality. He makes you want to watch the game of football. What he's doing, man, it's been a lot of fun to watch, and I just hope he continues it."
Acquired in a controversial offseason trade from the Bills, Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, faces his former team for the first time Sunday at NRG Stadium. Diggs, 30, has downplayed any past acrimony surrounding his final season with the Bills.
He has been a strong fit on and off the field for the Texans, the defending AFC South champions. He was even voted a team captain in balloting from his teammates. He has embraced this fresh start. He caught 10 passes for 94 yards in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the team that drafted him a decade ago. He caught two touchdowns in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts.
And he ran for a touchdown, the first of his career, on a run-pass option play against the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday. He has 25 catches for 233 yards and two touchdowns, sharing touches with Collins. He's on pace for 106 catches.
"He's been great, man," Johnson said. "We've also got a chance to sit down and talk with him. To me, he seems like he's very happy. He's in a great space. He's passing on the knowledge to the younger guys. He's been a veteran leader that the team needs. I think he's in a space where he may not have to catch 100 balls. I don't think he's going to ask for no more.
"I think he's in a space where he's willing to do what he has to do to accomplish that ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl. I think when you have a veteran guy come in and be in that space and cast all of that knowledge onto the other guys, that's key. It's big for your team. Super excited to have him here on our team, great player and a great guy."
Johnson, the Texans' all-time leading receiver, didn't play only for the Texans. He also wore the Colts and Jaguars uniforms after reduced playing time and contract disputes ultimately led to his departure from Houston.
Crown Royal, an award-winning Canadian whiskey, is in its fourth year as an official whiskey sponsor of the NFL with its 'Kick Off with Crown' program and 'Royal Rig' tailgate on wheels, an 18-wheeler that tours NFL stadiums to spread generosity in support of the military.
On Sunday, there will be a Royal Rig stop at NRG Stadium with care packages being prepared for U.S. military members through Crown Royal's Purple bag Project. There's also an official Crown Royal Royal Rig sweepstakes for a chance to win exclusive merchandise and prizes, including tickets to Super Bowl LIX.
"This is the fourth year of Crown Royal being the first official whiskey sponsor of the NFL," Johnson said. "The Royal Rig is a hand-painted 18-wheeler going to nine different cities before it goes to the Super Bowl. It's a big project to help active-duty military personnel deployed overseas or veterans at home.
"It will definitely be a good thing. At the tailgate, look for a lot of surprises and things of that nature. Fans are able to come onto the Rig and pay for the purple bags for the actual veterans and active military and provide generosity."
Being a new Hall of Fame has sunk in for Johnson. He's feeling the good vibes of well-wishers.
"It's been amazing, man," Johnson said. "I just love the people. That's what I love about Houston. When you've done something here, they love on you. It doesn't matter if you're retired, like, they love on you. It's been a lot of fun. The love you get from the fans, it's a hell of a feeling to have an effect on a city. It's been a lot of love, man, and I'm just embracing it all."
Aaron Wilson is an award-winning Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and www.click2houston.com. He has covered the NFL since 1997, including previous stints for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun. This marks his 10th year covering the Texans after previously covering a Super Bowl winning team in Baltimore. He has also covered the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans. A Washington, D.C. native, Wilson played college football at East Carolina University where he was a linebacker. Aaron and his wife live in Houston and enjoy traveling and trying new restaurants.
