Veteran defensive tackle Jeff Zgonina is entering his 17th NFL season.
The Texans re-signed defensive tackle Jeff Zgonina, the team announced today.
Zgonina (6-2, 290) played in all 16 games with two starts last season and finished the year with 19 tackles and a fumble recovery. He has recorded 36 tackles in his two seasons with the Texans.
"It feels great," Zgonina said of returning to Houston. "I've always liked training camp, for some reason. It's just great to be back to work."
Zgonina has played for seven different teams in his 16-year career and won a World Championship with the St. Louis Rams in 1999. He has played in 203 career games with 64 starts and has registered 576 career tackles and 23.5 sacks for 121.5 yards lost, one interception, three forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries.
Glancing at the Texans' roster this year, Zgonina sees no reason why the Texans shouldn't reach the postseason.
"Number one, we have to make the playoffs no matter what," he said. "This team should make the playoffs with the talent we have and the coaching staff we have. If we don't make the playoffs, it's our fault because we're set up to make that run this year. Of course, the easiest way to get there is to win the division, so that's what we're looking at."
At 39 years old as of kickoff weekend this year, Zgonina will be the second-oldest position player in the NFL behind only Oakland Raiders quarterback Jeff Garcia. Despite playing one of the most physically demanding positions on the field, he has missed just five games over the last 10 seasons.
"I went through one practice and I feel great," Zgonina said Saturday morning. "We'll see in three days. I think I should be alright. I did work out, so I shouldn't be that bad.
"I just want to get back in football shape (in training camp) and just show that I can still play and hopefully make the team."
Zgonina is the eighth member of the 2008 Texans roster to re-sign with the team as a free agent.
| Following are the free agents the Texans have re-signed: | ||
| WR | David Anderson | 5-10, 194 |
| T | Rashad Butler | 6-4, 309 |
| TE | Joel Dreessen | 6-4, 260 |
| SS | Nick Ferguson | 5-11, 201 |
| DE | Stanley McClover | 6-2, 263 |
| C | Chris White | 6-2, 292 |
| FS | Eugene Wilson | 5-10, 195 |
