Colts snap counts: Andre Johnson's diminishing role

Looking at this week's Colts snap counts sheds some real light on the diminishing role of receiver Andre Johnson.

In Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson, in the first year of a three-year, $21 million contract, saw more dramatic drop-off in his involvement. Johnson was on the field for just 33 snaps, equating to 45 percent of the Colts' offensive snaps in the game. That's a startlingly low number for a starting wide receiver, but it's an indication the Colts recognize what they have to do to win. By comparison, Donte Moncrief played 80 percent of the snaps, while Griff Whalen played 34 percent.

For context, let's look at some of Johnson's snap counts from earlier in the season. Take the Colts' Week 6 game against the New England Patriots. Johnson played 85 percent of the snaps that night, with Moncrief at 73 percent and Whalen at 5 percent. In Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints, Johnson played 92 percent of offensive snaps, with Moncrief at 90 percent and Whalen at 3 percent. In Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers, Johnson played 78 percent of snaps, Moncrief 92 percent and Whalen 12 percent.

Week 9 — the same week Rob Chudzinski took over as offensive play caller — Johnson's big decline really begins.

That week, against the Denver Broncos, he played just 42 percent of snaps. Moncrief played 70 percent and Whalen 30 percent. That continued after the bye in Week 11 against the Atlanta Falcons, with Johnson playing 48 percent of snaps, Moncrief 84 percent and Whalen 24 percent.

That's a stark contrast in Johnson's level of involvement. He is still capable of contributing — as he did with a big 22-yard gain on a post route Sunday — but those kinds of plays have come few and far between for Johnson. The Colts are no longer going to keep Johnson on the field at the expense of keeping other potential playmakers off it.

Here's the rest of this week's snap counts:

OFFENSE

LT Joe Reitz, 74, 100 percent

RG Hugh Thornton, 74, 100 percent

LG Jack Mewhort, 74 100 percent

C Jon Harrison, 74, 100 percent

QB Matt Hasselbeck, 74, 100 percent

RT Denzelle Good, 74, 100 percent

WR T.Y. Hilton, 61, 82 percent

WR Donte Moncrief, 59, 80 percent

RB Frank Gore, 51, 69 percent

TE Dwayne Allen, 48, 65 percent

TE Coby Fleener, 43, 58 percent

WR Andre Johnson, 33, 45 percent

TE Jack Doyle, 25, 34 percent

WR Griff Whalen, 25, 34 percent

RB Ahmad Bradshaw, 22, 30 percent

RB Boom Herron, 3, 4 percent

DEFENSE

ILB D'Qwell Jackson, 67, 100 percent

FS Dwight Lowery, 67, 100 percent

CB Vontae Davis, 67, 100 percent

CB Greg Toler, 65, 97 percent

SS Clayton Geathers, 62, 93 percent

ILB Jerrell Freeman, 46, 69 percent

DE Kendall Langford, 45, 67 percent

OLB Erik Walden, 43, 64 percent

OLB Trent Cole, 40, 60 percent

OLB Robert Mathis, 39, 58 percent

CB Darius Butler, 36, 54 percent

DT Billy Winn, 34, 51 percent

NT David Parry, 34, 51 percent

OLB Jonathan Newsome, 24, 36 percent

DT T.Y. McGill, 24, 36 percent

DT Zach Kerr, 21, 31 percent

ILB Nate Irving, 18, 27 percent

CB D'Joun Smith, 2, 3 percent

S Colt Anderson, 1, 1 percent.

Athlete Stocks May Soon Be Listed On NASDAQ

Athlete tracking stock company Fantex intends to allow you to purchase and sell a security linked to 10 separate professional athletes. Earlier today, it filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If approved, you may soon be able to trade “FXSP” on the NASDAQ Capital Market .

A total of 10 athletes, across 2 sports and at a various sections of their careers are to be tied to the anticipated ticker symbol. They are Vernon Davis, Alshon Jeffery, Mohamed Sanu, Jack Mewhort, Ryan Shazier, Kendall Wright, Andrew Heaney, Terrence Williams, Michael Brockers and EJ Manuel.

Tight end Vernon Davis #80 of the Denver Broncos may become part of a 10-athlete stock for purchase/sale on NASDAQ. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Each athlete will have a different weighting attached to his athlete brand contract, which will total 100% for the purpose of the contemplated FXSP stock. The largest weight will be held by Chicago Bears wide receiver Jeffery (19%); the smallest weight is attached to Broncos tight end Davis (3%).

“Our six completed IPOs paved the way to unlocking an asset class previously closed to the capital markets,” said Fantex, Inc. CEO and co-founder Buck French. “By bundling multiple tracking stocks into a single, NASDAQ-listed security, we believe Fantex is providing the next evolution for those looking to invest in the business of professional sports.”

As of right now, individuals can buy and sell individual athlete tracking stocks on the Fantex marketplace connected to Davis, Jeffery, Mewhort, Sanu and Brockers.

An Initial Public Offering for Wright is listed as “Coming Soon.” According to Fantex, the previously filed registration statement filed for Wright will be withdrawn, as the new “Fantex Sports Portfolio 1 Units,” such named as those connected to the proposed NASDAQ stock, contain the Wright offering therein.

Historically, Fantex has purchased 10% interests in athletes’ “brand incomes” in exchange for a specific amount of guaranteed money. For instance, under the terms of Fantex’s brand contract with Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Mewhort, Fantex acquired a 10% interest in his brand income for $2.52 million. Fantex expects Mewhort to earn $58.8 million in gross lifetime brand income, most of which is expected to be earned from an estimated 9 years of future NFL salaries and bonuses (in addition to a slight amount of money from off-field income).

Brand income is defined within the contracts that Fantex creates with players. Generally, it includes income generated from current team contracts, expected future on-field income, certain endorsements and appearance fees. Potential post-career activities are sometimes included in the formula as well.

Acquisitions of brand income are often contingent on Fantex obtaining financing necessary to pay the stated purchase price.

UBS Investment Bank will be the lead underwriter for Fantex’s mission to list FXSP on NASDAQ. It serves as the sole book-running manager for the proposed offering.

Darren Heitner is a lawyer and the Founder of South Florida-based HEITNER LEGAL, P.L.L.C., which has a focus on Sports Law and Entertainment Law.