http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b3WaL
Two-thirds of the guys were captains, 80 percent of them have their college degrees. Over 85 percent have been three-year starters. We have a saying that what we're looking for is a ‘Tough, smart, physical player with high character that has the competitiveness and the passion about the game of football.' That's our motto, and that's what we've found.
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b3WaQ
Eugene Wilson, Texans free safety: The Texans feel better about Wilson, who was on IR with a foot injury for the last six games last year, than I do. Paired with the physical Bernard Pollard, Wilson needs to prove he can be a consistent and rangy free safety, and show better ball skills as he looks to set a tone for a group of young corners.
The alternative at this point is Dominique Barber and perhaps Troy Nolan, who missed his rookie year with hand injury.
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b3WaP
I'm surprised so many thought the Texans were looking for a 330-pound nose tackle. A nose tackle is a run-down player. The Texans already have two of those starting — Okoye and Shaun Cody.
The Texans didn't need a defensive tackle to stop the run. They needed a tackle to pressure the passer.
Ideally, Mitchell will come off the bench in passing situations and use his 4.76 speed to harass the quarterback. He'll play next to Smith, who moves inside on passing downs. Williams and Barwin will play on the outside.
If Williams is healthy and Barwin makes the kind of improvement most are predicting, the outside pressure should improve dramatically. The question is what kind of heat Smith can generate playing with Mitchell rather than Okoye on passing downs.
The Texans wanted a defensive tackle who had what can't be coached — quickness off the ball and speed up the field. Mitchell has that. They figure Bill Kollar, who's one of the best defensive line coaches in the league, can teach Mitchell what he doesn't know and hope he's a fast learner.