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*HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have agreed to contracts with CB Jason Bell and FB Moran
Norris, it was announced today.
Norris (6-1, 250) played in 12 games, starting four. He has started 13 games over the past two seasons and has been the primary lead blocker for the Texans running game that has rushed for an average of 110.4 yards per game. In 2004, the Texans running game produced a 125.8 yard average in games he was in the lineup. Norris caught four passes for 13 yards and recorded his first NFL carry for no yards.
Norris, a native Houstonian, was apart of a Texans running game that produced 103 rushing first downs, which ranked 10th in the NFL. The Texans running game produced 46 runs of 10 yards or better. Norris was originally claimed off waivers from the New Orleans Saints (9/18/02). The former Kansas Jayhawk played at Madison High School in Houston.
Bell (6-0, 186), a fifth-year defensive back out of U.C.L.A., has become a special teams standout since the Texans claimed him off waivers from Dallas prior to the team's inaugural season. He led the Texans in special teams tackles in 2002, the season his teammates selected him as the team's first winner of the Ed Block Courage Award. Bell was chosen for the award because he broke his arm and returned to action after only missing three games. Bell's 2004 season was also cut short when he broke his foreman in the second quarter at Indianapolis (11/14/04).
Over the last three seasons (35 games) Bell has accumulated 35 special teams tackles. Prior to joining the Texans, Bell registered 21 special teams tackles for Dallas as an undrafted rookie. He played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back at Millikan High School in Long Beach, Calif.
Following are the free agents the Texans have signed:
CB Jason Bell (6-0, 186)
CB Demarcus Faggins (5-10, 178)
LB Morlon Greenwood (6-0, 238)
NT Junior Ioane (6-4, 332)
FB Moran Norris (6-1, 250)
NT Seth Payne (6-4, 315)
LB DaShon Polk (6-2, 240)
