Houston Texans Advanced Stat of the Week: Andre Johnson's Historical Comp

One of the great statistical games to play is to find historical comps for modern NFL players. It's a fun way to learn about the past and get a sense for where current players stand in relation to the all-time greats.

Andre Johnson has long been one of the best receivers in the game, but it can be difficult to get a sense of where he ranks historically. After all, his closest comparable counterpart is Larry Fitzgerald. While that's a decent comp, it doesn't do much for giving us a historical perspective.

If we scroll back few spots in the comparison list, we find a brilliant match, however.

Many current fans have forgotten the incredible play of Sterling Sharpe for the Green Bay Packers in the early '90s. Sharpe's career was cut off in its prime thanks to a neck injury. He was a fantastic player and a dominant receiver.

Johnson is a little bigger than Sharpe was, but their production is eerily similar. Sharpe led the league in catches three times, and yards once. Johnson lead the league in catches and yards twice each. Both had five 1,000-yard seasons

Both men averaged just under 80 yards and over five catches a game. Sharp put up more touchdowns, however.

If there is a difference between the two men, it was in durability. Sharpe played in every game of his NFL career until doing so presented a serious risk to his future health. Johnson has been less consistent. He has played in a full 16 games in just five of his nine years in the league.

Sharpe was an incredible talent, and students of the game would do well to go back and revisit his career. They could also put in game film of Andre Johnson to see a very similar player.