Veteran Kevin Bentley proved to be one of the Texans' best special teams players last year, as well as a valuable utility linebacker. This year, he's trying to carve out a spot in a crowded and competitive position group.
Taken in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft out of Northwestern, Bentley spent his first three seasons with the Cleveland Browns before moving to the Seattle Seahawks in 2005.
1. You started seven games at linebacker for the Texans this past season. What role do you expect to play this season?
"Basically wherever they need me. I'm sure they'll have me at special teams again this season. I'll be a fill-in guy if anyone goes down, but basically I'll play wherever they need me to play this year."
2. Which linebacker position are you most comfortable playing?
"At this point in my career, it really doesn't matter. I've played a fair share at all three. I enjoy playing the mic the most because it's the quarterback of the defense."
3. How much of an impact do you think rookie linebacker Brian Cushing will have on the defense this year?
"Hopefully, he'll be huge for us. He's learning the defense pretty well right now. He's picking things up as we go along. He's athletic and he has the ability, so hopefully he'll be able to put it all together."
*4. What do you think of Cushing's new haircut? *
"I love it! He kind of reminded me of Sunshine a little bit (the character from "Remember the Titans")."
5. What have you seen from veteran Cato June?
"That he talks a lot of trash. No, I'm just kidding. He's real instinctive. He knows how to get to the ball and he's definitely looking to be a playmaker."
*6. You played in the Super Bowl with the Seahawks. What do you think Cato's Super Bowl experience will bring to the team? *
"I think, one, the knowledge. You know it takes a lot to get to that game mentally. Then physically he's able to play the game and he'll be able to help out some of the younger guys and show them the ropes of what it takes to get there."
*7. How do you feel about the improved depth around you at linebacker? *
"I'm enjoying it actually because it gives me a chance to take a little bit of a break mentally because before I had to know everything about every position. Right now, I've been able to focus on one position a little bit more than the other one. I'm comfortable with it. It's definitely a help."
8. How has the defense been coming along under Frank Bush?
"I think we're still a work in progress. We're learning a lot. Right now, I think we're just trying to understand what he wants and what he's looking for, his philosophy. It's going along pretty well and I think by opening day we should be ready to roll."
9. Are you looking forward to the defense being more aggressive this season?
"Definitely, I think that's what's going to get us over the hump as far as making the playoffs and winning our division. That's definitely the attitude on the defensive end of the ball, so I think if we can improve now it will definitely help us down the road."
10. You did some yoga this offseason. How do you think that helps you on the football field?
"It helps me to be more flexible. When you get in the piles and things like that, you're all bent up. Yoga prevents you from injuries and things of that nature. I do it throughout the season as well."
