Vince Wifork has transitioned himself nicely into the Texans defensive line and locker room.
Seeing Wilfork around NRG Stadium and participating in OTAs this offseason, it's almost hard to believe that five-time Pro Bowler arrived in Houston less than three months ago.
From playing catch with J.J. Watt while stretching before OTAs to imparting football knowledge to his teammates in the locker room, the 33-year-old defensive tackle just fits.
"It's pretty cool," Whitney Mercilus said Monday. "He's a big body going to get up in there. It's going to be hard for any guys to move him like that and he's very knowledgeable about the defense. Just being able to teach myself, the younger d-linemen about different looks that we can give, different stunts like that."
Now entering his twelfth season in the NFL, he's never played for a team other than the New England Patriots. The two-time Super Bowl winner has experience playing for defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and alongside linebackers coach Mike Vrabel and served as defensive co-captain for seven-consecutive seasons in New England. Now, his familiarity with Crennel's defense has helped him embrace another leadership role in Houston.
"Yeah, it makes us all feel good to see number 75 in the middle of that defense," Bill O'Brien said Monday. "He's a great, veteran player. He's added a lot to our locker room. We're very happy to have him here."
