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While the Rest of the World Is Asleep, Travis Johnson Is Trying to Become Mediocre

File this under "Too Little, Too Late" and cross-reference it with "I Don't Give a Crap."  I'm tickled that Houston's freaking FIRST-ROUND draft pick from 2005 has decided that it might be time to start putting forth a genuine effort, but it begs the obvious question as to why it took Kubes telling him that, you know, staying in shape and not being a dog are key components to success in the NFL.  

I'm all for personal responsibility, so why did I giggle when I read "The only person that can stop Travis is Travis?"  I'll tell you why--because it's completely inaccurate.  Travis can surely stop Travis, but it appears any offensive lineman can as well.  Otherwise, the Texans wouldn't have decided to spend their first-round pick on a defensive tackle when they just spent a first-round pick on a defensive tackle two (2) years ago and have several other needs on both sides of the ball.  

Speaking of, I clearly recall when the Texans picked Tr. Johnson in the 2005 Draft.  It came from out of nowhere; no pre-draft publication that I read even mentioned the Florida State DT as a possibility for the Texans.  I remember feverishly rationalizing the pick while simultaneously weeping about Houston passing on the opportunity to add Jammal Brown or Derrick Johnson.  

Two years later, I'm through attempting to rationalize the pick.  It hasn't worked out, apparently due in large part to Travis Johnson not "getting it."  As he's allegedly due $996,220.00 in deferred bonus money this season, cutting Tr. Johnson would not be a totally clean break.  Then again, Johnson's words might provide guidance to Smithiak as they surely wrestle with the decision:

"The bottom line is that you have to do whatever it takes to get on the field, or you get left behind."

Seems to me that someone's gotten left behind.  Time to move on.

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You gotta wonder...
if guys like Matt Schaub and DeMeco Ryans take offense to being called "pillow droolers."

In TJ's words, "So while everyone else was still drooling on the pillow, I got up at 4:30, got to the stadium at 5 and started working."

So now, the light goes on for him, he sets his alarm early a few times, and now all of the other guys are lazy?

Idiot.

by bv on Aug 1, 2007 11:11 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

There comes a time...
...when you have to cut your losses and move on.  Smithiak (love that glossary term) needs to do just that in my opinion.

The rest of the team has grown tired of not winning and from what I'm hearing, are willing to work hard to get at least a winning record.  When it comes to Johnsons, we need more like Andre and one less Travis.

"...and if I claim to be a wise man, well, it surely means that I don't know". SL

by Southern Lion on Aug 1, 2007 12:08 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

TJ
I dunno.  I have a tendency to want to give people a second or even third chance.  How many chances was sandy vag himself given, you know?  TJ showed a ton of talent at FSU, and the potential is there.  I saw this:
http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2005/johnson_travis

He might just be one of those guys that needs to be better internally motivated.  There are a lot of players where it takes a couple of years for everything to kick in, and TJ might be one of those types.  But if he is truly giving his all and he still sucks?  He can be a millionaire without football.

Babin's the pick that confused me more.  Well, passing on Derrick Johnson was just moronic, but Babin?  At least we traded Ben Troupe, Randy Starks, and Bo Schobel for him!!!

by bigfatdrunk on Aug 1, 2007 12:59 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm bipolar
I would love to see Travis actually become the player he was expected to.  It would help the team, as well as start making up for the negative return-on-investment we have with him.

Of course, I would also be perfectly content if he were Taser'd on the side of the road, and then twitched his way in front of a Metro bus. {it's funnier if you picture it step-by-step}
    Note: I would be way past content if it were captured on video.

We can be critical of the draft picks, but in the end we always support the new Texan.

by Shake on Aug 2, 2007 3:36 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Slight change
Replace the bus with the light rail.  Somehow, the idea of it happening right there on Main cracks me up even more.

by MDC on Aug 2, 2007 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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