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Tashaun Gipson: Back home in Texas

Tashaun Gipson wasn't sure where he would land once free agency began. The veteran safety admits he was fortunate, having only three days of being unclaimed before the Texans did sign him. Now entering his ninth NFL season, Gibson says the roller coaster of emotions was worth the uncertainty. The Dallas native is finally back home in Texas.

"The feel of just being back in the state of Texas is awesome, just an amazing feeling right now and that's just one of the biggest things that I take away from this," Gipson said March 12 on Texans Radio. "I took it for granted being able to be close to home, playing in front of my family. You got to understand football is such a big deal out here and coming back in this environment, you really can't beat this. I couldn't have scripted my career to land and fall in a better environment than this right now."

The Texans signed Gipson as a free agent on March 12. Gipson, an undrafted free agent in 2012, played three seasons in Cleveland (2012-15) before the Jaguars signed him as an unrestricted free agent in 2016. This time as a free agent, Gipson wanted more than just money. He was also determined to find the right team for him. After facing the Texans twice a year each year as an AFC South opponent, Gipson knew exactly what Houston had to offer him.

"You have a franchise quarterback over here, you have the best receiver in the league, in my opinion and many other people's opinions," Gipson said. "You just have so many moving parts, not to mention a defensive line because that speaks for itself. It's just one of the situations where, when everything added up from just everything outside of the football realm, you look and say man the football part is easy. There's so many great guys in the locker room that I don't personally know yet, but I'm excited to get to know. Those guys know ball."

Gipson started all 16 games in the last three seasons in Jacksonville, becoming just one of five safeties to record at least 20 interceptions since entering the league in 2012. Last year, Gipson recorded 54 tackles (44 solo), one interception, seven passes defensed, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hit after in 16 starts for the Jaguars.

Check out some of the best shots of new Texans safety Tashaun Gipson. (Photos via AP Images.)

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