Texans' Walter knows score again
The receiver who set a school record with 20 career touchdowns in college seemed to have lost his way to the end zone in the NFL. Now, he's the AFC leader with eight
By MEGAN MANFULL Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Dec. 12, 2008, 11:29PM
Walter, Eastern Michigan's career touchdown leader, is tied with Randy Moss for most touchdown receptions.
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Walter, a seventh-round draft choice of the New York Giants, was claimed on waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003. He earned a roster spot with his aggressiveness on special teams, but struggled to get on the field behind the top receivers  Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Needed opportunity
Little changed when he arrived in Houston in 2006. By the end of his fourth NFL season, Walter had just one career touchdown and 416 total receiving yards.
"I always thought if I had the opportunity to go out and make plays, I could do it," Walter (6-3, 215 pounds) said . "Even when I was in Cincinnati behind Chad and T.J. It's all about going out and working hard and when you have the opportunity, going out and taking advantage."
Walter, who set a school record with 20 career touchdowns at Eastern Michigan, is making up for his lost time in the end zone these days. He is in the midst of his best NFL season, with an AFC-leading eight touchdown receptions. Only Patriots receiver Randy Moss has reached the end zone as many times.
"I'm just excited to be playing on the other side of him," Andre Johnson said. "He's improved every year he's been here, and he wants to be an elite receiver in this league. He talks to me a lot about it, and he's getting better every time he steps out on the field."
With Walter's emergence, the Texans are on the brink of a franchise first with two 1,000-yard receivers. Walter, 27, needs to average 50 receiving yards the final three weeks to reach 1,000 yards for the season. Johnson has 1,201 receiving yards  a career high for him as well.
Walter is aware that much of his success is due to the attention defenses focus on Johnson. Helping free up Johnson is part of Walter's motivation each week.
"Hey, I'm trying to make his job easier, to tell you the truth," Walter said. "That's what I keep telling him, 'I'm trying to make your job easier.' We've got guys on this offense that can make plays. We're trying to get that cloud corner off of him. If those guys are going to put single coverage on Owen (Daniels), myself or any other guys, we've got to take advantage of that and get them out of there so Andre can get that single coverage."
With the offense ranked third in the NFL, Walter's emergence has meant a lot to the Texans, and it's difficult for them not to boast about just how they acquired him in 2006. The Texans signed Walter to a four-year, $6.4 million deal as a restricted free agent. When the Bengals didn't match the offer sheet, the Texans only had to hand over a seventh-round draft pick.
Praised by coach
"He's a special player," coach Gary Kubiak said. "He plays hard in the running game. He seems to make big plays for our team all the time. Very unselfish player. For us to get him for a seventh-round draft choice a couple of years ago has been just a tremendous steal.
"Really looking forward to his future. I don't think he's scratched the surface. I think he's going to be a fine, fine player for a long time. He takes care of himself. The game is very important to him. People can count on him."
Walter also has shown his versatility and ability to be a big-play threat this season. In the past five weeks, he had catches of 60, 61 and 58 yards. In his first four NFL seasons, his longest catch was for 33 yards.
A couple of more long catches and Walter easily will reach 1,000 yards.
"Some people say I couldn't get downfield, but I always felt I could," Walter said. "I just have to continue to do that and keep getting into the end zone."
DYNAMIC DUOS
Gary Kubiak has coached for five teams with two 1,000-yard receivers. Kevin Walter needs 149 yards over the final three weeks to give the Texans their first 1,000-yard tandem:
Year Player Rec. Yds. Player Rec. Yds.
1997 Shannon Sharpe 72 1,107 Rod Smith 70 1,180
1998 Rod Smith 86 1,222 Ed McCaffrey 64 1,053
1999 Rod Smith 79 1,020 Ed McCaffrey 71 1,018
2000 Ed McCaffrey 101 1,317 Rod Smith 100 1,602
2004 Rod Smith 79 1,144 Ashley Lelie 54 1,084
2008 Andre Johnson 92 1,201 Kevin Walter 55 851
megan.manfull@chron.com