Houston Texans NFL Draft April 22-24,...

Houston Texans NFL Draft

April 22-24, 2010

Houston Texans NFL DRAFT

April 22-24, 2010

Houston Texans 2010 NFL Draft Class Round 1, Pick 20 (20th Overall) Kareem Jackson CB 5’10” 196 Alabama Round 2, Pick 26 (58th Overall) Ben Tate RB 5’11” 220 Auburn Round 3, Pick 17 (81st Overall) Earl Mitchell DT 6’3” 296 Arizona Round 4, Pick 4 (102nd Overall) Darryl Sharpton LB 5’11” 236 Miami (Fla.) Round 4, Pick 20 (118th Overall) Garrett Graham TE 6’3” 243 Wisconsin Round 5, Pick 13 (144th Overall) Sherrick McManis CB 6’1” 195 Northwestern Round 6, Pick 18 (187th Overall) Shelley Smith G 6’4” 300 Colorado State Round 6, Pick 28 (197th Overall) Trindon Holliday WR 5’5” 159 Louisiana State Round 7, Pick 20 (227th Overall) Dorin Dickerson WR 6’1” 222 Pittsburgh 5 Offensive Players (Running Back, Tight End, Guard, 2 Wide Receivers) 4 Defensive Players (2 Cornerbacks, Defensive Tackle, Linebacker)

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

75th ANNUAL SELECTION MEETING

APRIL 22 - APRIL 24, 2010

ROUND 1

START OF ROUND: 7:33PM

# 1-1. ST. LOUIS Bradford, Sam QB Oklahoma

2-2. DETROIT Suh, Ndamukong DT Nebraska

# 3-3. TAMPA BAY McCoy, Gerald DT Oklahoma

4-4. WASHINGTON Williams, Trent T Oklahoma

# 5-5. KANSAS CITY Berry, Eric DB Tennessee

6-6. SEATTLE Okung, Russell T Oklahoma State

# 7-7. CLEVELAND Haden, Joe DB Florida

# 8-8. OAKLAND McClain, Rolando LB Alabama

9-9. BUFFALO Spiller, C.J. RB Clemson

10-10. JACKSONVILLE Alualu, Tyson DT California

# 11-11. SAN FRANCISCO Davis, Anthony T Rutgers

from CHICAGO through DENVER

# 12-12. SAN DIEGO Mathews, Ryan RB Fresno State

from MIAMI

13-13. PHILADELPHIA Graham, Brandon DE Michigan

from SAN FRANCISCO through DENVER

# 14-14. SEATTLE Thomas, Earl DB Texas

from DENVER

# 15-15. NEW YORK GIANTS Pierre-Paul, Jason DE South Florida

# 16-16. TENNESSEE Morgan, Derrick DE Georgia Tech

17-17. SAN FRANCISCO Iupati, Mike G Idaho

from CAROLINA

# 18-18. PITTSBURGH Pouncey, Maurkice C Florida

19-19. ATLANTA Weatherspoon, Sean LB Missouri

# 20-20. HOUSTON Jackson, Kareem DB Alabama

# 21-21. CINCINNATI Gresham, Jermaine TE Oklahoma

# 22-22. DENVER Thomas, Demaryius WR Georgia Tech

from NEW ENGLAND

# 23-23. GREEN BAY Bulaga, Bryan T Iowa

# 24-24. DALLAS Bryant, Dez WR Oklahoma State

from PHILADELPHIA through DENVER and NEW ENGLAND

25-25. DENVER Tebow, Tim QB Florida

from BALTIMORE

26-26. ARIZONA Williams, Dan DT Tennessee




27-27. NEW ENGLAND McCourty, Devin DB Rutgers

from DALLAS

28-28. MIAMI Odrick, Jared DT Penn State

from SAN DIEGO

29-29. NEW YORK JETS Wilson, Kyle DB Boise State

# 30-30. DETROIT Best, Jahvid RB California

from MINNESOTA

31-31. INDIANAPOLIS Hughes, Jerry DE Texas Christian

32-32. NEW ORLEANS Robinson, Patrick DB Florida State

END OF ROUND: 11:01PM

TIME OF ROUND: 3 HOURS, 28 MINUTES

TOTAL TIME 3 HOURS, 28 MINUTES

# Underclassman




ROUND 2


1-33. ST. LOUIS Saffold, Rodger T Indiana

2-34. MINNESOTA Cook, Chris DB Virginia

from DETROIT

# 3-35. TAMPA BAY Price, Brian DT UCLA

4-36. KANSAS CITY McCluster, Dexter RB Mississippi

5-37. PHILADELPHIA Allen, Nate DB South Florida

from WASHINGTON

6-38. CLEVELAND Ward, T.J. DB Oregon

# 7-39. TAMPA BAY Benn, Arrelious WR Illinois

from OAKLAND

8-40. MIAMI Misi, Koa LB Utah

from SEATTLE through SAN DIEGO

9-41. BUFFALO Troup, Torell DT Central Florida

# 10-42. NEW ENGLAND Gronkowski, Rob TE Arizona

from CHICAGO through TAMPA BAY and OAKLAND

11-43. BALTIMORE Kindle, Sergio LB Texas

from MIAMI through DENVER

12-44. OAKLAND Houston, Lamarr DE Texas

from JACKSONVILLE through NEW ENGLAND

13-45. DENVER Beadles, Zane T Utah

# 14-46. NEW YORK GIANTS Joseph, Linval DT East Carolina

15-47. ARIZONA Washington, Daryl LB Texas Christian

from TENNESSEE through NEW ENGLAND

# 16-48. CAROLINA Clausen, Jimmy QB Notre Dame

17-49. SAN FRANCISCO Mays, Taylor DB Southern California

18-50. KANSAS CITY Arenas, Javier DB Alabama

from ATLANTA

19-51. MINNESOTA Gerhart, Toby RB Stanford

from HOUSTON

# 20-52. PITTSBURGH Worilds, Jason LB Virginia Tech

21-53. NEW ENGLAND Cunningham, Jermaine DE Florida

# 22-54. CINCINNATI Dunlap, Carlos DE Florida

23-55. DALLAS Lee, Sean LB Penn State

from PHILADELPHIA

24-56. GREEN BAY Neal, Mike DE Purdue




25-57. BALTIMORE Cody, Terrence DT Alabama

26-58. HOUSTON Tate, Ben RB Auburn

from ARIZONA through NEW ENGLAND

27-59. CLEVELAND Hardesty, Montario RB Tennessee

from DALLAS through PHILADELPHIA

# 28-60. SEATTLE Tate, Golden WR Notre Dame

from SAN DIEGO

29-61. NEW YORK JETS Ducasse, Vladimir T Massachusetts

30-62. NEW ENGLAND Spikes, Brandon LB Florida

from MINNESOTA through HOUSTON

31-63. INDIANAPOLIS Angerer, Pat LB Iowa

32-64. NEW ORLEANS Brown, Charles T Southern California


TIME OF ROUND: 2 HOURS, 25 MINUTES


# Underclassman




ROUND 3


1-65. ST. LOUIS Murphy, Jerome DB South Florida

# 2-66. DETROIT Spievey, Amari DB Iowa

3-67. TAMPA BAY Lewis, Myron DB Vanderbilt

4. WASHINGTON Choice Exercised in 2009 Supplemental Draft

for Jarmon, Jeremy, DE, Kentucky

5-68. KANSAS CITY Asamoah, Jon G Illinois

6-69. OAKLAND Veldheer, Jared T Hillsdale

7-70. BALTIMORE Dickson, Ed TE Oregon

from SEATTLE through PHILADELPHIA and DENVER

# 8-71. GREEN BAY Burnett, Morgan DB Georgia Tech

from CLEVELAND through PHILADELPHIA

9-72. BUFFALO Carrington, Alex DE Arkansas State

10-73. MIAMI Jerry, John G Mississippi

11-74. JACKSONVILLE Smith, D'Anthony DT Louisiana Tech

# 12-75. CHICAGO Wright, Major DB Florida

# 13-76. NEW YORK GIANTS Jones, Chad DB Louisiana State

# 14-77. TENNESSEE Williams, Damian WR Southern California

15-78. CAROLINA LaFell, Brandon WR Louisiana State

16-79. SAN DIEGO Butler, Donald LB Washington

from SAN FRANCISCO

17-80. DENVER Walton, J.D. C Baylor

18-81. HOUSTON Mitchell, Earl DT Arizona

19-82. PITTSBURGH Sanders, Emmanuel WR Southern Methodist

20-83. ATLANTA Peters, Corey DT Kentucky

21-84. CINCINNATI Shipley, Jordan WR Texas

22-85. CLEVELAND McCoy, Colt QB Texas

from NEW ENGLAND through OAKLAND

23-86. PHILADELPHIA Te'o-Nesheim, Daniel DE Washington

from GREEN BAY

24-87. DENVER Decker, Eric WR Minnesota

from PHILADELPHIA

25-88. ARIZONA Roberts, Andre WR Citadel

from BALTIMORE

26-89. CAROLINA Edwards, Armanti WR Appalachian State

from ARIZONA through NEW ENGLAND




27-90. NEW ENGLAND Price, Taylor WR Ohio

from DALLAS

# 28-91. SAN FRANCISCO Bowman, Navorro LB Penn State

from SAN DIEGO

29-92. CLEVELAND Lauvao, Shawn G Arizona State

from NEW YORK JETS

30-93. KANSAS CITY Moeaki, Tony TE Iowa

from MINNESOTA through HOUSTON

31-94. INDIANAPOLIS Thomas, Kevin DB Southern California

32-95. NEW ORLEANS Graham, Jimmy TE Miami

+ 33-96. CINCINNATI Ghee, Brandon DB Wake Forest

+ # 34-97. TENNESSEE Curran, Rennie LB Georgia

+ 35-98. ATLANTA Johnson, Mike G Alabama


TIME OF ROUND: 1 HOUR, 41 MINUTES


+ Compensatory Pick

# Underclassman




ROUND 4

START OF ROUND: 10:05AM

1-99. ST. LOUIS Gilyard, Mardy WR Cincinnati

# 2-100. MINNESOTA Griffen, Everson DE Southern California

from DETROIT

# 3-101. TAMPA BAY Williams, Mike WR Syracuse

4-102. HOUSTON Sharpton, Darryl LB Miami

from KANSAS CITY

5-103. WASHINGTON Riley, Perry LB Louisiana State

6-104. TENNESSEE Verner, Alterraun DB UCLA

from SEATTLE

7-105. PHILADELPHIA Lindley, Trevard DB Kentucky

from CLEVELAND

# 8-106. OAKLAND Campbell, Bruce T Maryland

9-107. BUFFALO Easley, Marcus WR Connecticut

10-108. OAKLAND Ford, Jacoby WR Clemson

from JACKSONVILLE

11-109. CHICAGO Wootton, Corey DE Northwestern

12-110. SAN DIEGO Stuckey, Darrell DB Kansas

from MIAMI

13-111. SEATTLE Thurmond, Walter DB Oregon

from TENNESSEE

# 14-112. NEW YORK JETS McKnight, Joe RB Southern California

from CAROLINA

# 15-113. NEW ENGLAND Hernandez, Aaron TE Florida

from SAN FRANCISCO through DENVER

16-114. BALTIMORE Pitta, Dennis TE Brigham Young

from DENVER

17-115. NEW YORK GIANTS Dillard, Phillip LB Nebraska

# 18-116. PITTSBURGH Gibson, Thaddeus LB Ohio State

19-117. ATLANTA Hawley, Joe C Nevada-Las Vegas

20-118. HOUSTON Graham, Garrett TE Wisconsin

21-119. MIAMI Edds, A.J. LB Iowa

from NEW ENGLAND through DALLAS

22-120. CINCINNATI Atkins, Geno DT Georgia

23-121. PHILADELPHIA Clayton, Keenan LB Oklahoma




24-122. PHILADELPHIA Kafka, Mike QB Northwestern

from GREEN BAY

25-123. NEW ORLEANS Woods, Al DT Louisiana State

from BALTIMORE through ARIZONA

26-124. CAROLINA Norwood, Eric DE South Carolina

from ARIZONA through NEW YORK JETS

27-125. PHILADELPHIA Harbor, Clay TE Missouri State

from DALLAS

28-126. DALLAS Owusu-Ansah, Akwasi DB Indiana, Pa.

from SAN DIEGO through MIAMI

29-127. SEATTLE Wilson, E.J. DE North Carolina

from NEW YORK JETS through PHILADELPHIA

30-128. DETROIT Fox, Jason T Miami

from MINNESOTA

31-129. INDIANAPOLIS McClendon, Jacques G Tennessee

32-130. ARIZONA Schofield, O'Brien LB Wisconsin

from NEW ORLEANS

+ 33-131. CINCINNATI Muckelroy, Roddrick LB Texas

END OF ROUND: 11:53AM



+ Compensatory Pick

# Underclassman




ROUND 5

START OF ROUND: 11:53AM

1-132. ST. LOUIS Hoomanawanui, Michael TE Illinois

2-133. SEATTLE Chancellor, Kam DB Virginia Tech

from DETROIT

3-134. PHILADELPHIA Sapp, Ricky DE Clemson

from TAMPA BAY through CLEVELAND

# 4-135. ATLANTA Franks, Dominique DB Oklahoma

from WASHINGTON through ST. LOUIS

5-136. KANSAS CITY Lewis, Kendrick DB Mississippi

6-137. DENVER Cox, Perrish DB Oklahoma State

from CLEVELAND through PHILADELPHIA

7-138. OAKLAND McFadden, Walter DB Auburn

8-139. NEW YORK JETS Conner, John RB Kentucky

from SEATTLE

9-140. BUFFALO Wang, Ed T Virginia Tech

# 10-141. CHICAGO Moore, Joshua DB Kansas State

11-142. KANSAS CITY Sheffield, Cameron LB Troy

from MIAMI

12-143. JACKSONVILLE Hart, Larry DE Central Arkansas

13-144. HOUSTON McManis, Sherrick DB Northwestern

from CAROLINA through KANSAS CITY

14-145. MIAMI Carroll, Nolan DB Maryland

from SAN FRANCISCO

15-146. SAN DIEGO Thomas, Cam DT North Carolina

from DENVER through DETROIT, CLEVELAND and PHILADELPHIA

16-147. NEW YORK GIANTS Petrus, Mitch G Arkansas

17-148. TENNESSEE Johnson, Robert DB Utah

18-149. ST. LOUIS Davis, Hall DE Louisiana-Lafayette

from ATLANTA

19-150. NEW ENGLAND Mesko, Zoltan P Michigan

from HOUSTON

20-151. PITTSBURGH Scott, Chris T Tennessee

21-152. CINCINNATI Hudson, Otis G Eastern Illinois

22-153. JACKSONVILLE Lane, Austen DE Murray State

from NEW ENGLAND through TAMPA BAY and OAKLAND

23-154. GREEN BAY Quarless, Andrew TE Penn State




24-155. ARIZONA Skelton, John QB Fordham

from PHILADELPHIA through NEW YORK JETS and PITTSBURGH

25-156. BALTIMORE Reed, David WR Utah

26-157. BALTIMORE Jones, Arthur DT Syracuse

from ARIZONA

27-158. NEW ORLEANS Tennant, Matt C Boston College

from DALLAS through DENVER, NEW ENGLAND, OAKLAND and JACKSONVILLE

28-159. PHILADELPHIA Cooper, Riley WR Florida

from SAN DIEGO

29-160. CLEVELAND Asante, Larry DB Nebraska

from NEW YORK JETS

30-161. MINNESOTA DeGeare, Chris G Wake Forest

31-162. INDIANAPOLIS Eldridge, Brody TE Oklahoma

# 32-163. MIAMI Jones, Reshad DB Georgia

from NEW ORLEANS through PHILADELPHIA, ST. LOUIS and WASHINGTON

+ 33-164. PITTSBURGH Butler, Crezdon DB Clemson

+ 34-165. ATLANTA Meier, Kerry WR Kansas

+ 35-166. PITTSBURGH Sylvester, Stevenson LB Utah

+ 36-167. MINNESOTA Triplett, Nate LB Minnesota

+ 37-168. SAN DIEGO Crompton, Jonathan QB Tennessee

+ 38-169. GREEN BAY Newhouse, Marshall T Texas Christian




+ Compensatory Pick

# Underclassman




ROUND 6


1-170. ST. LOUIS Onobun, Fendi TE Houston

2-171. ATLANTA Schillinger, Shann DB Montana

from DETROIT

3-172. TAMPA BAY Bowden, Brent P Virginia Tech

4-173. SAN FRANCISCO Dixon, Anthony RB Mississippi State

from KANSAS CITY through MIAMI and SAN DIEGO

5-174. WASHINGTON Morris, Dennis TE Louisiana Tech

Reacquired through MIAMI

6-175. CAROLINA Hardy, Greg DE Mississippi

from OAKLAND

7-176. TENNESSEE Smith, Rusty QB Florida Atlantic

from SEATTLE

# 8-177. CLEVELAND Mitchell, Carlton WR South Florida

9-178. BUFFALO Moats, Arthur LB James Madison

10-179. DALLAS Young, Sam T Notre Dame

from MIAMI

11-180. JACKSONVILLE Karim, Deji RB Southern Illinois

12-181. CHICAGO Lefevour, Dan QB Central Michigan

13-182. SAN FRANCISCO Byham, Nate TE Pittsburgh

14-183. DENVER Olsen, Eric G Notre Dame

15-184. NEW YORK GIANTS Tracy, Adrian LB William & Mary

16-185. SEATTLE McCoy, Anthony TE Southern California

from TENNESSEE

# 17-186. CLEVELAND Geathers, Clifton DE South Carolina

from CAROLINA

18-187. HOUSTON Smith, Shelley G Colorado State

# 19-188. PITTSBURGH Dwyer, Jonathan RB Georgia Tech

20-189. ST. LOUIS Sims, Eugene DE West Texas A&M

from ATLANTA

21-190. OAKLAND Goethel, Travis LB Arizona State

from NEW ENGLAND

# 22-191. CINCINNATI Briscoe, Dezmon WR Kansas

23-192. BUFFALO Batten, Danny LB South Dakota State

from PHILADELPHIA

24-193. GREEN BAY Starks, James RB Buffalo




25-194. BALTIMORE Harewood, Ramon T Morehouse

# 26-195. PITTSBURGH Brown, Antonio WR Central Michigan

from ARIZONA

27-196. DALLAS Wall, Jamar DB Texas Tech

28-197. HOUSTON Holliday, Trindon KR Louisiana State

from SAN DIEGO

29-198. CAROLINA Gettis, David WR Baylor

from NEW YORK JETS

30-199. MINNESOTA Webb, Joe WR Alabama-Birmingham

31-200. PHILADELPHIA Scott, Charles RB Louisiana State

from INDIANAPOLIS

32-201. ARIZONA Calvin, Jorrick DB Troy

from NEW ORLEANS

+ 33-202. CAROLINA Pugh, Jordan DB Texas A&M

+ 34-203. JACKSONVILLE McGee, Scotty KR James Madison

+ 35-204. CAROLINA Pike, Tony QB Cincinnati

+ 36-205. NEW ENGLAND Larsen, Ted C North Carolina State

+ 37-206. SAN FRANCISCO Williams, Kyle WR Arizona State

+ 38-207. TENNESSEE Rolle, Myron DB Florida State




+ Compensatory Pick

# Underclassman




ROUND 7

1-208. NEW ENGLAND Welch, Thomas T Vanderbilt

from ST. LOUIS through WASHINGTON

2-209. BUFFALO Brown, Levi QB Troy

from DETROIT

3-210. TAMPA BAY Grimm, Cody DB Virginia Tech

4-211. ST. LOUIS Johnson, Marquis DB Alabama

from WASHINGTON

5-212. MIAMI McCoy, Chris LB Middle Tennessee

from KANSAS CITY

6-213. DETROIT Young, Willie DE North Carolina State

from SEATTLE

7-214. MINNESOTA Shuler, Mickey TE Penn State

from CLEVELAND through DETROIT

8-215. OAKLAND Ware, Jeremy DB Michigan State

9-216. BUFFALO Calloway, Kyle G Iowa

10-217. TAMPA BAY Watson, Dekoda LB Florida State

from JACKSONVILLE

11-218. CHICAGO Webb, J'Marcus T West Texas A&M

12-219. WASHINGTON Austin, Terrence WR UCLA

from MIAMI

13-220. PHILADELPHIA Chaney, Jamar LB Mississippi State

from DENVER through DETROIT

14-221. NEW YORK GIANTS Dodge, Matt P East Carolina

15-222. TENNESSEE Mariani, Marc WR Montana

16-223. CAROLINA Stanford, R.J. DB Utah

17-224. SAN FRANCISCO Adams, Phillip DB South Carolina State

18-225. DENVER Thompson, Syd'Quan DB California

from PITTSBURGH through TAMPA BAY

19-226. ST. LOUIS Selvie, George DE South Florida

from ATLANTA

20-227. HOUSTON Dickerson, Dorin WR Pittsburgh

21-228. CINCINNATI Stephens, Reggie C Iowa State

22-229. WASHINGTON Cook, Erik C New Mexico

from NEW ENGLAND

23-230. GREEN BAY Wilson, C.J. DE East Carolina




24-231. WASHINGTON Capers, Selvish T West Virginia

from PHILADELPHIA through NEW ENGLAND, DENVER and NEW ENGLAND

25-232. DENVER Kirlew, Jammie LB Indiana

from BALTIMORE through TAMPA BAY

26-233. ARIZONA Dray, Jim TE Stanford

27-234. DALLAS Lissemore, Sean DT William & Mary

28-235. SAN DIEGO Epps, Dedrick TE Miami

29-236. SEATTLE Davis, Dexter LB Arizona State

from NEW YORK JETS

30-237. MINNESOTA D'Imperio, Ryan RB Rutgers

31-238. INDIANAPOLIS Mathews, Ricardo DE Cincinnati

32-239. NEW ORLEANS Canfield, Sean QB Oregon State

+ 33-240. INDIANAPOLIS Conner, Kavell LB Clemson

+ 34-241. TENNESSEE Howard, David DT Brown

+ 35-242. PITTSBURGH Worthington, Doug DE Ohio State

+ 36-243. PHILADELPHIA Owens, Jeff DT Georgia

+ 37-244. PHILADELPHIA Coleman, Kurt DB Ohio State

+ 38-245. SEATTLE Konz, Jameson WR Kent State

+ 39-246. INDIANAPOLIS Fisher, Ray DB Indiana

+ 40-247. NEW ENGLAND Deaderick, Brandon DE Alabama

+ 41-248. NEW ENGLAND Weston, Kade DT Georgia

+ 42-249. CAROLINA McClain, Robert DB Connecticut

+ 43-250. NEW ENGLAND Robinson, Zac QB Oklahoma State

+ 44-251. OAKLAND Brown, Stevie DB Michigan

+ 45-252. MIAMI Spitler, Austin LB Ohio State

+ 46-253. TAMPA BAY Lorig, Erik DE Stanford

+ 47-254. ST. LOUIS Hull, Josh LB Penn State

+ 48-255. DETROIT Toone, Tim WR Weber State

+ Compensatory Pick


April 22-24, 2010

2010 HOUSTON TEXANS DRAFT NOTES

TEXANS GO DEFENSE IN FIRST ROUND AGAIN By picking CB Kareem Jackson with the 20th overall pick, the Houston Texans continued a trend of using their first-round picks on the defensive side of the ball. Including Jackson, the Texans have picked a defensive player with seven of their 10 first-round picks and in six of the last seven drafts.

Houston Texans All-Time First-Round Draft Picks Year Player Pos. Pick College 2010 Kareem Jackson CB 20 Alabama 2009 Brian Cushing LB 15 Southern California 2008 Duane Brown T 26 Virginia Tech 2007 Amobi Okoye DT 10 Louisville 2006 Mario Williams DE 1 North Carolina State 2005 Travis Johnson DT 16 Florida State 2004 Dunta Robinson CB 10 South Carolina 2004 Jason Babin LB 27 Western Michigan 2003 Andre Johnson WR 3 Miami (Fla.) 2002 David Carr QB 1 Fresno State JACKSON THIRD CORNER PICKED AT NO. 20 IN FOUR YEARS

Kareem Jackson continued a mini-trend at the 20th overall pick, becoming the third cornerback to be drafted 20th overall in the last four years. Aaron Ross was the 20th pick by the New York Giants in 2007 and Aqib Talib went 20th overall to Tampa Bay in 2008.

Players Drafted 20th Overall, Last Five Years Year Player Pos. College Team 2010 KAREEM JACKSON CB ALABAMA HOUSTON TEXANS 2009 Brandon Pettigrew TE Oklahoma St. Detroit Lions 2008 Aqib Talib CB Kansas Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2007 Aaron Ross CB Texas New York Giants 2006 Tamba Hali DE Penn St. Kansas City Chiefs

RECORD CROWD FOR DRAFT PARTY Once again, the Houston Texans opened the doors of Reliant Stadium to celebrate the NFL Draft with their fans. A team-record crowd of 7,413 Texans fans attended the 2010 Houston Texans Draft Party, presented by Miller Lite. That easily topped the 2009 attendance of 4,830.


April 22-24, 2010

JACKSON THIRD ALABAMA PLAYER DRAFTED BY TEXANS CB Kareem Jackson was the third player from Alabama drafted by the Texans. He joins former Crimson Tide alumni C Antoine Caldwell (third round, 2009) and LB DeMeco Ryans (second round, 2006). Alabama joins Louisville, Texas and Virginia Tech as the colleges which have produced the most Texans draft choices.

Alabama Players Drafted by Houston Texans, All Time Year Round Overall Player Position 2010 1 20 Kareem Jackson Cornerback 2009 3 77 Antoine Caldwell Center 2006 2 33 DeMeco Ryans Linebacker

TATE BECOMES TEXANS TOP RB PICK With the 58th overall pick in the second round, Houston selected RB Ben Tate out of Auburn University. The pick was the highest in team history used on a running back. The previous high was in 2005 when Houston picked RB Vernand Morency out of Oklahoma State with the 73rd overall pick in the third round. Tate became the sixth running back drafted by the Texans in team history.

Running Backs Drafted By Houston Texans (6) Year Player Round Overall College 2010 BEN TATE 2 58 AUBURN 2008 Steve Slaton 3 89 West Virginia 2006 Wali Lundy 6 170 Virginia 2005 Vernand Morency 3 73 Oklahoma State 2003 Domanick Williams* 4 101 LSU 2002 Jonathan Wells 4 99 Ohio State

SEC TAKES THE LEAD CB Kareem Jackson was the 10th player from an SEC school drafted by the Texans and RB Ben Tate the 11th. The pair moved the SEC into first place as the conference that has produced the most Texans draft choices.


April 22-24, 2010

SEC Players Drafted by Houston Texans, All Time (11) Year Round Overall Player Pos. College 2010 1 20 Kareem Jackson CB Alabama 2010 2 58 Ben Tate RB Auburn 2009 3 77 Antoine Caldwell C Alabama 2007 4 123 Fred Bennett CB South Carolina 2006 2 33 DeMeco Ryans LB Alabama 2004 1 10 Dunta Robinson CB South Carolina 2004 6 200 Charlie Anderson LB Mississippi 2003 4 101 Domanick Williams RB LSU 2002 2 33 Jabar Gaffney WR Florida 2002 3 66 Fred Weary G Tennessee 2002 6 190 Howard Green DT LSU

MITCHELL CONTINUES TEXANS PAC 10 STREAK DT Earl Mitchell was the first player from the University of Arizona drafted by the Texans. He became the fifth Texan drafted from a PAC 10 school, joining LB Brian Cushing (USC, 2009), QB Alex Brink (Washington State, 2008), SS Brandon Harrison (Stanford, 2007) and C Drew Hodgdon (Arizona State, 2005). The Texans have chosen a PAC 10 player in each of the last four drafts.

PAC 10 Players Drafted by Houston Texans, All Time (5) Year Rd. Overall Player Pos. College 2010 3 81 Earl Mitchell DT Arizona 2009 1 15 Brian Cushing LB Southern California 2008 7 223 Alex Brink QB Washington State 2007 5 144 Brandon Harrison SS Stanford 2005 5 151 Drew Hodgdon C Arizona State

MITCHELL BUCKS OFFENSIVE TREND IN THIRD Houston selected DT Earl Mitchell in the third round (81st overall), breaking a trend of selecting offensive players in Round 3. Just four of the Texans’ 13 third-round picks in franchise history have come on the defensive side of the ball.


April 22-24, 2010

Houston Texans All-Time Third-Round Picks Year Player Pos. Pick College 2010 Earl Mitchell DT 81 Arizona 2009 Antoine Caldwell C 77 Alabama 2008 Antwaun Molden CB 79 Eastern Kentucky 2008 Steve Slaton RB 89 West Virginia 2007 Jacoby Jones WR 73 Lane College 2006 Charles Spencer T 65 Pittsburgh 2006 Eric Winston T 66 Miami (Fla.) 2005 Vernand Morency RB 73 Oklahoma St. 2003 Antwan Peek LB 67 Cincinnati 2003 Seth Wand T 75 NW Missouri St. 2003 Dave Ragone QB 88 Louisville 2002 Fred Weary G 66 Tennessee 2002 Charles Hill DT 83 Maryland * Bold indicates defensive players.

TEXANS DRAFTING TEXANS DT Earl Mitchell, Houston’s third-round draft choice (81st overall), grew up in nearby Galena Park and went to North Shore High School. Mitchell is the 12th Texans draft pick who grew up in Texas and the sixth since head coach Gary Kubiak was hired in 2006.

Houston Texans Who Grew Up In Texas Player Pos. College Hometown Drafted Earl Mitchell DT Arizona Galena Park 2010 James Casey TE Rice Azle 2009 Anthony Hill TE New Mexico Houston 2009 Brice McCain CB Utah Terrell 2009 Frank Okam DT Texas Richardson 2008 Eric Winston OT Miami (Fla.) Midland 2006 Kenneth Pettway LB Grambling State Gilmer 2005 Vontez Duff CB Notre Dame Copperas Cove 2004 Sloan Thomas WR Texas Klein 2004 B.J. Symons QB Texas Tech Houston 2004 Chance Pearce LS Texas A&M Brownwood 2003 DeMarcus Faggins CB Kansas State Irving 2002


April 22-24, 2010

MITCHELL BECOMES EIGHTH TEXANS D-TACKLE DT Earl Mitchell became the eighth defensive tackle drafted by the Texans in team history and the third selected by general manager Rick Smith. Mitchell joins DTs Frank Okam (5th round, 2008) and Amobi Okoye (1st round, 2007).

Houston Texans All-Time Defensive Tackles (8) Year Player Round Overall College 2010 Earl Mitchell 3 81 Arizona 2008 Frank Okam 5 151 Texas 2007 Amobi Okoye 1 10 Louisville 2005 Travis Johnson 1 16 Florida State 2003 Keith Wright 6 214 Missouri 2002 Charles Hill 3 83 Maryland 2002 Howard Green 6 190 LSU 2002 Ahmad Miller 7 261 UNLV

SHARPTON CONTINUES TEXANS STREAK AT LB

LB Darryl Sharpton, Houston’s fourth-round pick (102nd overall), was the 11th linebacker drafted by the Texans in franchise history. Sharpton also continued the team’s draft streak at linebacker. Houston has selected at least one player at that position in each of the team’s nine drafts.

Linebackers Drafted by Houston Texans, All Time (11)

Year Player Round Overall College 2010 Darryl Sharpton 4 102 Miami (Fla.) 2009 Brian Cushing 1 15 Southern California 2008 Xavier Adibi 4 118 Virginia Tech 2007 Zac Diles 7 218 Kansas State 2006 DeMeco Ryans 2 33 Alabama 2005 Kenneth Pettway 7 227 Grambling 2004 Jason Babin 1 27 Western Michigan 2004 Charlie Anderson 6 200 Mississippi 2004 Raheem Orr 7 210 Rutgers 2003 Antwan Peek 3 67 Cincinnati 2002 Greg White 7 229 Minnesota


April 22-24, 2010

SHARPTON THE THIRD ‘CANE DRAFTED BY TEXANS LB Darryl Sharpton became the third player from the University of Miami (Florida) to be drafted by the Texans, and he joins some elite company. WR Andre Johnson, the third overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, is a four-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro. RT Eric Winston, Houston’s third-round pick (66th overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft, has started 55 straight games at his position. Miami moves into a tie with Alabama, Louisville, Texas and Virginia Tech as the schools which have provided the most Texans draft choices with three apiece.

Miami Hurricanes Drafted by Houston Texans, All Time (3)

Year Player Pos. Round Overall 2010 Darryl Sharpton LB 4 102 2006 Eric Winston OT 3 66 2003 Andre Johnson WR 1 3

GRAHAM THE SECOND WISCONSIN TE DRAFTED BY TEXANS

When the Texans drafted TE Garrett Graham in the fourth round (118th overall), it seemed like a case of déjà vu. Graham was the second tight end from the University of Wisconsin drafted in the fourth round by the Texans, following Owen Daniels (98th overall, 2006).

Wisconsin Badgers Drafted by Houston Texans, All Time (2) Year Player Pos. Round Overall 2010 Garrett Graham TE 4 118 2006 Owen Daniels TE 4 98

TEXANS TAKING TIGHT ENDS IN FOURTH The selection of TE Garrett Graham in the fourth round (118th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft continued a trend for the Texans. Houston has drafted five tight ends in franchise history and three have come in the fourth round. Houston drafted Owen Daniels with the 98th overall pick in the 2006 draft and took Anthony Hill 122nd overall in 2009.

Tight Ends Drafted by Houston Texans, All Time (5) Year Player Round Overall College 2010 Garrett Graham 4 118 Wisconsin 2009 Anthony Hill 4 122 North Carolina State 2009 James Casey 5 152 Rice 2006 Owen Daniels 4 98 Wisconsin 2003 Bennie Joppru 2 41 Michigan


April 22-24, 2010

TEXANS CONTINUE TO CORNER THE MARKET Houston general manager Rick Smith has stated that he believes that a team can never have enough cornerbacks, and he has lived by that philosophy in the draft. The Texans have picked at least one cornerback in each of the four drafts since Smith was hired, including two this year and last. Houston also drafted two corners in 2004.

Cornerbacks Drafted by Texans All-Time (9) Year Player Round Overall College 2010 Kareem Jackson* 1 20 Alabama 2010 Sherrick McManis* 5 144 Northwestern 2009 Brice McCain* 6 188 Utah 2009 Glover Quin* 4 122 New Mexico 2008 Antwaun Molden* 3 79 Eastern Kentucky 2007 Fred Bennett* 4 123 South Carolina 2004 Dunta Robinson 1 10 South Carolina 2004 Vontez Duff 6 170 Notre Dame 2002 DeMarcus Faggins 6 173 Kansas State * indicates players drafted by general manager Rick Smith.

SMITH GIVES TEXANS FIVE COLORADO STATE ALUMS G Shelley Smith, the first of two sixth-round picks (187th overall) for the Texans, played collegiately at Colorado State. Smith becomes the fifth former Ram on the Texans roster, joining WR David Anderson, G Mike Brisiel, TE Joel Dreessen and DE Jesse Nading.

Colorado State Rams on the Houston Texans (5) Player Pos. How Acquired Shelley Smith G 6th round (187th overall), 2010 Jesse Nading DE College free agent, 2008 Joel Dreessen TE Free agent, 2007 Mike Brisiel G College Free Agent, 2006 David Anderson WR 7th round (251st overall), 2006


April 22-24, 2010

TEXANS TURN TO THE TRENCHES Houston selected G Shelley Smith with the 187th overall pick in the sixth round. Smith became the third guard drafted by the Texans and was the seventh offensive lineman picked by the Texans under head coach Gary Kubiak.

Offensive Linemen Drafted by Texans Since 2006 (7) Year Player Pos. Round Overall College 2010 Shelley Smith G 6 187 Colorado State 2009 Antoine Caldwell C 3 77 Alabama 2008 Duane Brown T 1 26 Virginia Tech 2007 Brandon Frye T 5 163 Virginia Tech 2007 Kasey Studdard G 6 183 Texas 2006 Charles Spencer T 3 65 Pittsburgh 2006 Eric Winston T 3 66 Miami (Fla.)

HOLLIDAY THE THIRD TIGER DRAFTED BY TEXANS WR Trindon Holliday, Houston’s second pick in the sixth round (197th overall), was the third LSU Tiger drafted by the Texans. He joins DT Howard Green (6th round, 2002) and RB Domanick Williams (4th round, 2003).

LSU Tigers Drafted by Houston Texans, All Time (3) Year Player Pos. Round Overall 2010 Trindon Holliday WR 6 197 2003 Domanick Williams RB 4 101 2002 Howard Green DT 6 190

HOLLIDAY JOINS SPEEDY RECEIVING CORPS

According to his college biography, WR Trindon Holliday is the fastest player in college football history. Holliday was an eight-time All-American on the track at LSU and clocked a personal best time of 10.00 in the 100 meters. Many of Holliday’s new Texans teammates were track stars in their own right. WR Andre Johnson was the 2002 Big East champion in both the 60 meters and 100 meters at Miami (Fla.). WR André Davis anchored Virginia Tech 4x100-meter relay team and competed in the 200-meter dash, and WR Jacoby Jones originally went to Lane College on a track scholarship before a growth spurt turned him into an NFL prospect.


April 22-24, 2010 DICKERSON THE THIRD PITT PANTHER DRAFTED BY TEXANS WR Dorin Dickerson became the third Pittsburgh Panther drafted by the Texans when Houston selected him in the seventh round (227th overall). Dickerson joins SS Ramon Walker (5th round, 2002) and T Charles Spencer (3rd round, 2006).

Pittsburgh Panthers Drafted by Houston Texans, All Time (3) Year Player Pos. Round Overall 2010 Dorin Dickerson WR 7 227 2006 Charles Spencer T 3 65 2002 Ramon Walker SS 5 153

TEXANS DOUBLE UP AT CORNERBACK, WIDE RECEIVER

Houston picked up a pair of cornerbacks, taking CB Kareem Jackson in the first round (20th overall) and CB Sherrick McManis in the fifth round (144th overall). The Texans turned a double play again with their last two picks, selecting WRs Trindon Holliday (6th round, 197th overall) from LSU and Dorin Dickerson (7th, 227) from Pittsburgh. It marked the eighth and ninth times in Texans draft history that the team picked two or more players at the same position in a draft.

Multiple Players at Same Position, Texans Draft History Year Rd. Overall Player Pos. College 2010 1 20 Kareem Jackson CB Alabama 2010 5 144 Sherrick McManis CB Northwestern 2010 6 197 Trindon Holliday WR LSU 2010 7 227 Dorin Dickerson WR Pittsburgh 2009 4 122 Anthony Hill TE North Carolina State 2009 5 152 James Casey TE Rice 2006 3 65 Charles Spencer OT Pittsburgh 2006 3 66 Eric Winston OT Miami (Fla.) 2004 1 27 Jason Babin LB Western Michigan 2004 6 200 Charlie Anderson LB Mississippi 2004 7 210 Raheem Orr LB Rutgers 2004 1 10 Dunta Robinson CB South Carolina 2004 6 170 Vontez Duff CB Notre Dame 2004 4 122 Glenn Earl S Notre Dame 2004 6 175 Jammal Lord S Nebraska 2003 3 88 Dave Ragone QB Louisville 2003 6 192 Drew Henson QB Michigan 2002 3 83 Charles Hill DT Maryland 2002 6 190 Howard Green DT LSU 2002 7 261 Ahmad Miller DT UNLV


April 22-24, 2010

HOUSTON DOUBLE-DIPS IN FOURTH, SIXTH Houston held two picks in the fourth round and two in the sixth this year, picking up extra picks in each round through trades. It marked the 16th and 17th times in the team’s nine-year draft history that Houston has held multiple picks in the same round. The only year in which the Texans did not have multiple picks in a round was 2005.

Multiple Picks in Same Round, Texans Draft History Year Rd. Overall Player Pos. College 2010 4 102 Darryl Sharpton LB Miami (Fla.) 2010 4 118 Garrett Graham TE Wisconsin 2010 6 187 Shelley Smith G Colorado State 2010 6 197 Trindon Holliday WR LSU 2009 4 112 Grover Quin CB New Mexico 2009 4 122 Anthony Hill TE North Carolina State 2008 3 79 Antwaun Molden CB Eastern Kentucky 2008 3 89 Steve Slaton RB West Virginia 2007 5 144 Brandon Harrison SS Stanford 2007 5 163 Brandon Frye OT Virginia Tech 2006 3 65 Charles Spencer OT Pittsburgh 2006 3 66 Eric Winston OT Miami (Fla.) 2004 6 170 Vontez Duff CB Notre Dame 2004 6 175 Jammal Lord FS Nebraska 2004 6 200 Charlie Anderson LB Mississippi 2004 7 210 Raheem Orr LB Rutgers 2004 7 211 Sloan Thomas WR Texas 2004 7 248 B.J. Symons QB Texas Tech 2003 6 192 Drew Henson QB Michigan 2003 6 214 Keith Wright DT Missouri 2003 7 217 Curry Burns SS Louisville 2003 7 233 Chance Pearce LS Texas A&M 2002 2 33 Jabar Gaffney WR Florida 2002 2 50 Chester Pitts OT San Diego State 2002 3 66 Fred Weary OG Tennessee 2002 3 83 Charles Hill DT Maryland 2002 5 316 Jarrod Baxter FB New Mexico 2002 5 153 Ramon Walker SS Pittsburgh 2002 6 173 DeMarcus Faggins CB Kansas State 2002 6 190 Howard Green DT LSU 2002 7 229 Greg White LB Minnesota 2002 7 261 Ahmad Miller DT UNLV


April 22-24, 2010

THREE TEXANS TRADES ON DAY 2 The Texans traded their second-round pick (51st overall) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for Minnesota’s second- and third-round picks (62nd and 93rd, respectively). It was the 10th draft day trade in Texans history and the third time under general manager Rick Smith. A few minutes later, the Texans traded the 62nd overall pick just acquired to New England along with the 150th overall pick in Round 5 to New England for the 58th overall pick in Round 2. The Texans used the 58th overall pick to select RB Ben Tate out of Auburn.

Houston executed a third trade late in the third round when they traded the 93rd pick, acquired earlier in the day, to Kansas City in exchange for fourth-round pick (102nd overall) and a fifth-rounder (144th overall) from the Chiefs.

Texans Draft Day Trades (12) Year Trade Partner Gave Up Received 2010 Kansas City 3rd round (93) 4th round (102) 5th round (144) 2010 New England 2nd round (62) 2nd round (58 – Ben Tate) 5th round (150) 2010 Minnesota 2nd round (51) 2nd round (62 – traded) 3rd round (93 - traded) 2008 Baltimore 1st round (18) 1st round (26 – Duane Brown) 3rd round (89 – Steve Slaton) 6th round (173 – Dominique Barber) 2007 New Orleans 4th round (107) 4th round (123 – Fred Bennett) 5th round (163 – Brandon Frye) 2005 New Orleans 1st round (13) 1st round (16 – Travis Johnson) 2006 3rd round (66 – Eric Winston) 2004 Jacksonville 5th round (159) 6th round (175 – Jammal Lord) 7th round (210 – Raheem Orr) 2004 Tennessee 2nd round (40) 1st round (27 – Jason Babin) 3rd round (71) 5th round (159 – traded) 4th round (103) 5th round (138) 2003 Indianapolis 5th round (138) 2004 4th round (122 – Glenn Earl) 2003 Oakland 3rd round (83) 2004 2nd round (supplemental – 7th round (262) Tony Hollings) 2003 New England 2nd round (36) 2nd round (41 – Bennie Joppru) 4th round (117) 3rd round (75 – Seth Wand) 2002 Atlanta 4th round (116) 2003 3rd (88 – Dave Ragone)


April 22-24, 2010

TEXANS DRAFT BY THE NUMBERS 1 CB Sherrick McManis is the first player from Northwestern drafted by the

Texans. 2 Houston had two picks in the fourth round and in the sixth round. 2 Cornerbacks drafted by the Texans in 2010 – Kareem Jackson and Sherrick

McManis. 2 Wide receivers drafted by the Texans in 2010 – Trindon Holliday and Dorin

Dickerson. 3 Days in duration for the 2010 NFL Draft. 3 Times the Texans traded during the draft. 4.9 Career rushing average for RB Ben Tate at Auburn. 5 Players from Colorado State on the current Texans roster after the selection of G

Shelley Smith. 8.0 Career sacks for DT Earl Mitchell at Arizona. 9 Players drafted by the Texans. 10.00 Time, in seconds, that it takes WR Trindon Holliday to run 100 meters. 11 Linebackers drafted by the Texans all-time, more than any other position. 12 Players from Southeastern Conference schools drafted by the Texans in team

history, the most from any conference. 14-0 Record for CB Kareem Jackson in 2009 at Alabama. 20 CB Kareem Jackson was the 20th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. 20.5 Driving distance, in miles, from Galena Park North Shore High School, where DT

Earl Mitchell attended, to Reliant Stadium. 40 Games started by CB Kareem Jackson during his career at Alabama. 43 Vertical jump, in inches, for WR Dorin Dickerson. 65 Inches tall for Trindon Holliday, the shortest draft pick in Texans history. 255 Total selections in the 2010 NFL Draft. 255 Total career tackles for LB Darryl Sharpton at Miami (Fla.) 3:28 Time elapsed during the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. 1,492 Career receiving yards for TE Garrett Graham at Wisconsin. 3,321 Yards that RB Ben Tate rushed for during his career at Auburn. 7,413 Attendance at the Texans Draft Party, presented by Miller Lite. It was the largest

crowd for a draft event in team history.


April 22-24, 2010 KAREEM JACKSON Cornerback Height: 5-10 Weight: 196 Drafted: 1st round (20th overall) University of Alabama CAREER: Played in all 41 career games at Alabama and started 40 contests, registering 159 tackles (106 solo) with eight tackles for loss (24 yards)…deflected 29 passes and recorded five interceptions (164 yards, 32.8 avg.)…his 29 pass deflections rank fourth on Alabama’s all-time record list…his 13 pass breakups in 2009 rank seventh on the school’s single-season record list…registered one forced fumble and one fumble recovery…blocked two kicks…returned one punt for eight yards. 2009: Started all 14 games at right cornerback, ranking sixth on the team with 49 tackles (30 solo) with three tackles for loss (13 yards)…tied for seventh in the SEC with an average of 1.0 passes defended per game…totaled 13 pass deflections, with six coming on third-down plays, and registered one interception (79 yards)…his 13 pass deflections rank seventh on Alabama’s single season-record list…added three tackles on the kickoff coverage unit. 2008: Allowed opponents to complete just 21-of-56 (37.5 percent) pass attempts targeted into his area…recorded 44 tackles (28 solo) with one tackle for loss (4 yards)…recovered one fumble and blocked one punt…ranked 11th in the SEC with 10 pass deflections… registered one interception (5 yards). 2007: Started 12 games, including the final 10 at right cornerback en route to earning Freshman All-American honors from The NFL Draft Report…ranked fifth on the team with 66 tackles (48 solo) with four tackles for loss…forced one fumble and blocked one field goal attempt…finished second on the team with three interceptions for 80 yards (26.7 avg.) in returns…deflected six passes…named Alabama’s Defensive Co-Player of the Week vs. Tennessee and Special Teams Co-Player of the Week vs. Vanderbilt and Florida State. PREP SCHOOL: Attended Fork Union Military Academy (Fork Union, Va.)…intercepted five passes in his only season at the school…given a four-star rating by Rivals.com. HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Westside High School in Macon, Ga. and compiled 1,436 rushing yards with 20 touchdowns and nine receptions for 256 yards with two touchdowns as a senior…accounted for 16 tackles and three interceptions on defense as a senior…concluded a three-year varsity career with over 3,447 rushing yards and 46


April 22-24, 2010 touchdowns…played in The Max Emfinger Third Annual High School All-American Classic…rated as the 17th-best overall prospect in the nation by Rivals.com. PERSONAL: General Studies major…resides in Macon, Georgia.


April 22-24, 2010

Texans CB Kareem Jackson (Transcribed by Lance Jaramillo)

(on being picked by the Houston Texans) “I’m very excited right now. I couldn’t be part of a better family than the Houston Texans. I have a guy I played with in college, (Texans C) Antoine Caldwell, who told me it’s a great organization to be with. I’m very excited and I’m ready to come in and help any way I can.” (on expectations of being picked by the Texans) “I had no clue. I’m very excited right now.” (on what he brings to the Houston Texans defensive backfield) “I’m going to be real feisty out there. I’m going to be real physical. Receivers are going to know I’m there. I’m going to do whatever it takes to make plays out there.” (on how being coached by Alabama head coach Nick Saban helps him as a pro) “It helped me out a whole lot. My three years in college with coach Saban helped me so much at that position. He taught me to pay attention to the little things. It helped me out a whole lot with us running a NFL-type defense. Being able to be in situations to make great plays helped. That’s a great coaching staff there. I owe a lot of credit to them. They made me the player I am.” (on what kind of immediate impact he expects to have) “I’m going to learn their defense fast and play wherever I’m needed. I’m a quick learner. I’m going to be physical out there and you can expect that from me every play.” (on cornerbacks in the league he looks up to) “My guy is (Denver CB) Champ Bailey. He’s a complete student of the game and I watch him every Sunday. I watch his technique and try to model my game after him. That’s what we strive on at Alabama: technique.” (on playing with Texans LB DeMeco Ryans, who went to Alabama) “I’m very excited. I never got a chance to play with him. He’s a great player so I’m very excited to play with him.” (on what moment means to him and his family) “This is a dream come true for us, just growing up and dreaming of one day being in this position. My family has been with me since day one.” (on what he thinks about the Texans defense) “To be honest I haven’t had a chance to look at them yet.”


April 22-24, 2010 (on why Alabama coach Nick Saban didn’t want him to leave early) “He just wanted me to come back and work on some individual goals such as All-American, team captain and to graduate.” (on his biggest asset as a player) “My physicality. I try to be physical. I think that’s the biggest thing that I do well.”


April 22-24, 2010

Defensive Coordinator Frank Bush (Transcribed by Sybil Scott)

(on choosing Jackson over other corner backs) "Both those kids are very talented players, really impressive college careers and you know we really liked a lot of things that they did. But when you looked at the total package and what (CB) Kareem (Jackson) brought to our football team, you saw a guy that was tough, you saw a guy that was aggressive, we saw a very smart football player. And he's still an underclassman, he's a junior coming out early and so there's a tremendous upside. And the fact that he played in the national championship, we like that. We like winners in the building and we're trying to get more winners on our program." (on how they plan to use CB Kareem Jackson) "We're going to put him out at the right corner and start teaching him the defense. He played for (Alabama head coach) Nick Saban, he played in a complex system. So picking up our stuff shouldn't be a real task for him but we're going to give him every opportunity to be a starter for our football team and contribute." (on if they were set on a defensive player as the time got close) "We were set on defense. Of course you know there's two sides to the board as you look at the draft board and the offense had their guys that they really wanted and we had the guys that we wanted and as the things start to shake out, you know some things happened that we didn't foresee and then we had an opportunity to basically go back in and discuss the defensive players and this was a guy that we really wanted. He was a guy that we had really high on our draft board as far as defense is concerned and so that gave us an opportunity to go get him. We had a need in a lot of different positions as you guys understand and we were looking at running back but we also had a need at corner. We felt like this was a player that we had to go get." (on what jumped out when he watched CB Kareem Jackson on film) "You know, it's hard to pick a name of a guy that he reminded me of. He was really just a solid, solid football player. There are not a lot of holes, per se, in his game. And the more you watched him, the more you liked him. The kid's got tremendous ball skills. He's got quick feet. He will come up and tackle you. He showed some leadership on the field. There is some emotion, there is some passion. At the end of the day, you know he played for (Alabama head coach) Nick Saban so you know he's tough." (on if his playing in the SEC helped in their evaluation) "It helped a lot. You know, one of the things you're always trying to compare is you're trying to see how those guys match up to the real guys or the guys that are going to be playing in the National Football League, or players that are similar to guys in the National Football League. And he just had more opportunities. He has some opportunities to go against the Florida’s of the


April 22-24, 2010 world and play against Arkansas and other type teams whereas you know some of those other kids don't play against that competition. We felt good about this guy being able to make the next step because he's played against a lot of the same guys that he'll be playing against at this level." (on if it helps that he's played on both sides of the field) "Absolutely. He played primarily right corner but they would put him on the other side sometimes and he played well over there. You know you could find him in the slot from time to time where he played inside. So we were really confident that he could come in and learn our system and just hit the ground running per se." (on why they chose CB Kareem Jackson over the other corners left on the board) "Like I touched on earlier, we felt like this kid was probably the most complete and game-ready to come play in the National Football League. Those other kids are talented but we felt like this guy could come in to OTAs, get the training, learn the defense and be ready to go play football whereas none of those other kids--there's going to be a little bit of a learning curve. There's going to be a little bit of time that you've got to put in on the job. Not that they can't play but this kid is ready to go play football in the National Football League." (on what about Alabama head coach Nick Saban's game plan is so complex) "Nick's a complex man. But more than anything, he demands a lot of his players. He gives them a lot on their plate, I guess you could say. He demands that they understand the defense and not just one level of it. He teaches a lot of details of the defense. He gives them a lot of checks, a lot of different things they can go to versus different sets and those kids have to handle it, and he demands that they handle it. We like that approach. We probably won't be as hard as they are but we know he can handle whatever we throw at him." (on what his favorite thing about CB Kareem Jackson is) "His toughness. The thing we're trying to get here and become on defense is tough. And that kid is tough. We know that he's tough. He showed it on tape. He's been that way throughout his career at Alabama and we just want him to bring some of that to our building." (on if they talked to Alabama head coach Nick Saban about CB Kareem Jackson) "You know, we talked to some of their coaches down there. We know several guys on the staff. We talked to them about the kid and his career, kind of what kind of person he is, what kind of man he is and we found out a lot of good stuff on him so we're comfortable with him." (on what he's worried about) "That I can get the job done of teaching him the defense, basically. We don't worry about a lot, again, we like this player. We're confident that we got the right guy. We think he can handle the job so there's not a lot to worry about. We've just got to go out and get him coached up."


April 22-24, 2010

Texans G Antoine Caldwell Conference Call on Kareem Jackson

Friday, April 23, 2010 (Transcribed by Nick Scurfield)

Texans G Antoine Caldwell (on what CB Kareem Jackson will bring to the Texans) "You’re going to get a fiery guy, a competitor, super intelligent. I think what kind of set him apart in the draft and the reason why we kind of got him is because of how physical he is. I think he’s probably the most physical corner in the draft, and he’s just an all-around good guy." (on if he thinks Jackson will have trouble starting right away) “I don’t think so at all. There’s really nothing that Kareem can’t bring to the table or can’t do if you ask him to do it, so I don’t think he’ll have a problem at all.” (on what impressed him most about Jackson when Jackson started as freshman at Alabama) “His work ethic; I would have to say his work ethic. A lot of guys when they’re new and they’re freshmen that come in, they don’t really know what to expect, so sometimes maybe they lack the work ethic or staying late or doing the extra that you need to do. He never had a problem with any of that and he kind of just stepped right in, and of course since he was so smart and could catch on so quickly, he was able to play right away.” (on the potential of having three Alabama players start for the Texans in 2010) “I think it says a lot about what we’re made of. I think there definitely is a good possibility of that being able to happen, but it’s exciting. Alabama is a huge program. A lot of people know about Alabama, a lot of people follow it. It’s just guys that are going to be blue-collar guys that are going to show up to work, going to be ready to work every day, and I think you’re definitely going to be able to get that with Kareem.” (on if playing with Alabama head coach Nick Saban makes players more ready for the NFL) “Absolutely. I really do think so. I played for Saban for my last two years. It really made me develop into pretty much being a pro at the college level. That kind of influence and that kind of impact on somebody is what Coach Saban had on me. And he definitely had it on Kareem, because Kareem probably got the worst end of it because Coach Saban actually coaches the DBs.” (on if Jackson is similar to Texans CB Glover Quin) “I think so. I really do think so, like you said. And Kareem is an exceptional athlete. I’m really looking forward to that, because like I said, I think that really set Kareem apart in this draft, how physical he was and the things he was able to do.”


April 22-24, 2010 (on how close he was with Jackson at Alabama) “Very close. Kareem was one of the captains on the defense, and a lot of was asked of him. Any time there was a problem or anything that needed to be fixed on the team or whatever, Kareem was one of the guys I would go to try to get things done. It was exciting to have him as one of the leaders then, and it’s just as exciting now.”

###


April 22-24, 2010 BEN TATE Running Back Height: 5-10 Weight: 214 Drafted: 2nd round (58th overall) Auburn University CAREER: Started 19-of-47 games at Auburn and gained 3,321 yards with 24 touchdowns on 678 carries (4.9 ypc), adding 53 receptions for 336 yards (6.34 ypc) and eight kickoff returns for 186 yards (23.25 avg)…posted four tackles (3 solos) and generated 3,843 all-purpose yards, an average of 81.77 yards per game…ranks fifth in school history in rushing yardage, topped by Bo Jackson (4,303 yards; 1982-85), Carnell Williams (3,831; 2001-04), James Brooks (3,523; 1977-80) and Joe Cribbs (3,368; 1976-79)…678 carries rank behind Carnell Williams’ 741 in Auburn annals…24 touchdown runs tied Brent Fullwood (1983-86) for sixth on the Tigers’ career-record chart…average of 70.65 yards per game rushing rank ninth in school history…Tate’s 3,843 all-purpose yards also placed sixth on Auburn’s all-time record list. 2009: Maxwell Award Watch List and Doak Walker Award semi-finalist…earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors from the Associated Press and third-team accolades from the league’s coaches…started 10 of the 13 games he appeared in, leading the team with 263 carries (third on the school annual record chart) for 1,362 yards (fourth-best season total by a Tiger), averaging 5.18 yards per carry while scoring ten touchdowns…just the second player in school history (Tommy Lorino, 1956-58) to lead the team in rushing three-straight years…Collected 65 runs for first downs, converting 14-of-26 third-down handoffs and 1-of-2 fourth-down plays…ran for at least ten yards on 32 attempts, including seven for 20 yards or longer…came up with key runs on twenty touchdown drives and six possessions that ended with field goals…had 37 positive runs inside the red zone, including 17 on goal-line attempts…ranked fourth on the team with a career-best 20 receptions for 105 yards (5.25 ypc), adding 139 yards on five kickoff returns (27.8 avg)…recorded two solo tackles – one each vs. Mississippi and Furman…collected 1,606 all-purpose yards, the seventh-best season total in school history…ranked third in the SEC in rushing (104.77 ypg) and eighth in all-purpose yardage (123.54 ypg)…gained at least 100 yards rushing in seven contests. 2008: Named to Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List, Tate finished sixth in the SEC in rushing yards per game at 55.33, despite starting just two (Tennessee and Vanderbilt) of twelve games…led the team in rushing for the second-straight year, totaling 664 yards with three touchdowns on 159 carries (4.18 ypc), but was seldom used in the second half of the Auburn schedule, gaining just 165 yards on the ground in the last six contests…caught fifteen passes for 90 yards (6.0 ypc) and had an 11-yard kickoff return…recorded an assisted tackle vs. Tennessee…finished with 765 all-purpose yards, an average of 63.75 yards per game.


April 22-24, 2010 2007: Started six of 13 games as a sophomore and led the team with 903 yards and eight touchdowns on 202 carries (4.47 ypc), ranking 12th in the SEC with an average of 69.46 yards per game on the ground…made sixteen catches for 144 yards (9.0 ypc) and gained 36 yards on a pair of kickoff returns (18.0 avg)…recorded a solo tackle vs. South Florida and generated 1,083 all-purpose yards, ranking 18th in the conference with an average of 83.31 yards per game. 2006: The Sporting News Freshman All-American honorable mention...appeared in nine games as a reserve and finished with 54 carries for 392 yards (7.26 ypc) and three touchdowns…caught two passes for losses totaling 3 yards, piling up 389 all-purpose yards for the season, an average of 43.22 yards per game. 2005: Redshirted as a freshman…Graduated from high school early in time to participate in spring drills. HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Snow Hill (Md.) High School and set several Maryland state records, including most yards rushing in a season (2,886 as a junior) and career (5,920)…also set the state record for total offensive yards in a career with 6,123…Gatorade State Player of the Year as a senior and a two-time consensus All- State pick…added Baystate Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2005…rated the sixth-best running back in the nation and fifth-best overall prospect in the state by Rivals.com…Prep Star ranked him ninth nationally among running backs while ESPN placed him 12th…rated as the eighth-best player in the Mid-Atlantic Coast region and 57th overall in the nation by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report…Tate rushed 542 times for 5,920 yards (10.9 ypc) and 78 touchdowns in 37 career games played…set the state season rushing record as a junior, totaling 2,886 yards and 41 touchdowns, averaging 221.4 yards per game…ran for 2,069 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior, averaging 12.9 yards per carry, while leading his team to a state runner-up finish. PERSONAL: Graduated in May 2009 with a degree in Criminology…son of Charlotte Green and Ben Tate, Jr…Born in Woodbridge, Va.…resides in Salisbury, Maryland.


April 22-24, 2010

Texans RB Ben Tate (Transcribed by Lance Jaramillo & Deon Reynolds)

(on if he looks forward to playing for the Texans) “I’m going to love it. I can’t wait to get down there. I heard it's a great city."

(on the Texans' current running back situation) "I can’t wait to get down there just to compete. It’s a great football team and hopefully I can make an impact this year.”

(on getting along with Texans first round pick CB Kareem Jackson from rival Alabama) “That’s (the rivalry) just on the field. You have to remember I’m from Maryland. I’m not from down there in Alabama. The rival kind of grew on me, but now that I’m gone it’s not like that anymore.”

(on how he describes his running style) “I think I’m the total package. I think I can bring it all. I’m going to do whatever the Houston Texans need for me to do.”

(on if he surprised himself by his performance in the NFL Combine) "I didn’t surprise myself at all. I think I surprised everyone else.”

(on how comfortable he is running in a zone blocking scheme) “Very. When I first came to Auburn that’s what I ran in and that was one of the reasons why I went to Auburn.”

(on why he’s comfortable running in a zone scheme) “There’s no real reason why I was comfortable. It’s just when you’re a running back, when you got the ball in your hands you’re comfortable period. That’s my style of running, you know? Inside zone, you get me downhill, that’s what I do best.” (on if he'll be good in goal line situations) “I’m going to make people pay. I’m going to make people pay. I’m going to get the extra yardage.” (on joining Houston Texans' explosive offense) “I can’t wait to get in there with those guys. We have one of the best wide receivers in the NFL with Andre Johnson, and one of the best quarterbacks. I’m just trying to add to it.” (on where he thought he would be drafted) “I kind of thought I would go to San Diego or New England with a chance of going to Houston. When I saw San Diego and New England pass on me I couldn’t see myself going anywhere else. This is a great situation and this is one of the places I wanted to be.” (on his conversations with Texans coaches) “I remember at the combine, that went really well. Other than that, that was the only other time I’ve talked to them.”


April 22-24, 2010

Texans Offensive Coordinator Rick Dennison (Transcribed by Lance Jaramillo)

(on the selection of RB Ben Tate) “We were very excited about selecting Ben Tate in the second round. We feel like he is an explosive player, has good size, good speed, and has good running skills, good hands. I think he fits with what we do. He is a player that we look forward to working with in the future next year.” (on what impressed the Texans about Tate at the NFL Combine) “Well starting with the 40 (yard dash), he clocked faster than what we imagined especially at his size. He went through the drills and did a fine job with everything else. We had an interview with him over at the hotel and he was completely under control with what they (Auburn Tigers) had done last year. He’d been through a few offenses. Out of high school early, out of college early, he just had a lot of things going for him — speed, explosive and size.” (on how changing offenses four times in college will help him make the adjustment to the NFL) “I think because of all the things he was expected to do over the years and his style, going with his size and speed, making his cuts and getting to where he needed to get to fast. If you’re too patient as a runner, the defense tends to close the holes fast. I think what we see with him, he’s got potential to do very great things for us.” (on how the Texans compared RB Toby Gerhart and RB Ben Tate) “We were kind of split in the room. They’re both fine players. We were going to be excited to have either one of them. With both of them there and the opportunity to move back and pick up another draft choice, a third (round pick), we thought it was such a good opportunity to help our entire team. So we felt really good about either one of them and the chances of getting one of the two of them and adding another player was too great.” (on taking the risk of missing both players between draft selections) “When it got down, obviously (RB) Toby (Gerhart) was taken with Minnesota (Vikings), the change was that it became one player, the picture changed a little bit.” (on how they evaluated RB Ben Tate compared to RBs C.J. Spiller and Ryan Mathews) “I guess it's confidence level on how good they’re going to be immediately. Ben has as much potential as those guys but you just saw a little bit more from those. Everybody sees it a little different. I’m sure there are some people that maybe had C.J. Spiller at number one and somebody had Ryan Matthews at number one and Ben Tate and Toby Gerhart. Everybody just has a different view. We just kind of worked our way down and got the player that we think will really help us.”

(on Texans defensive coordinator Frank Bush's reaction to Ryan Mathews being picked by the San Diego Chargers) “I thought Ryan Mathews was a very fine player and would have really enjoyed working with him. I don’t know if I yelled louder than Frank, I think


April 22-24, 2010 he yelled the loudest. But we feel real fortunate to have (CB) Kareem (Jackson) also and Ben (Tate) will help us, too. We’re going to just try to put all the pieces together, working to get better and better.”

(on trading up) “We knew Seattle was looking for a runner, particularly. Cleveland possibly. Or New England it was. New England and Seattle. There was just a lot of information about maybe we should move back up make sure we got Ben." (on if he knows how he will use RBs Ben Tate and Steve Slaton) “No. Not at all. We’re just letting it happen and we’ll rotate him in and whoever deserves the carries will get them.” (on if Ben Tate could be starting this year) “Anything is possible. We’re excited to have a talent like him and we’ll see how it works out.” (on his speed and explosiveness and if he’s a short yardage back) “With his size he can possibly do all that. With practice, time will tell. He’s a big running back so he’s got a chance to help us in short yardage and goal line, yes.” (on blitz pick up) “Oh yeah. He’s a big, strong kid. He seemed to handle everything we gave him in the interview. There’s evidence he’ll be fine with everything we ask him to do.” (on being worried about Seattle possible taking Tate ahead of the Texans) “There was a little bit of that. Obviously we don’t sit in their meetings and know who they targeted but we knew the depth at running back and the style we were looking for and just assumed they were looking for a similar player. So that was a concern.” (on his patience and vision as a runner) “His skills as a runner are good. He was asked to be in a spread formation, which is a little bit different from what we’re going to ask. Most of the tight zones will be similar to him because that’s all you can really do from the spread gun. The wide zones will take a little bit of an adjustment with his running skill I think. With time and working, I think we’ll be in good shape.” (on how concerned he was about getting a running back) “This morning it was pretty good but then it got nerve-wracking. There’s still some very fine football players out there, just different tiers.”


April 22-24, 2010 EARL MITCHELL Defensive Tackle Height: 6-1 Weight: 296 Drafted: 3rd round (81st overall) University of Arizona CAREER: Played in 49 games with 37 starts for Arizona, starting 12 of 24 games at tight end/H-back, and all 25 games at defensive tackle…on defense, he recorded 88 tackles (50 solos) with eight sacks for minus 42 yards, 18 stops for losses totaling 60 yards and one quarterback pressure…also caused one fumble, deflected two passes, and blocked one punt…on offense, he caught 14 passes for 174 yards (12.43 avg) and two touchdowns…added seven yards on four carries (1.75 ypc), and returned on kickoff for eight yards. 2009: All-Pacific 10 Conference second-team selection by the league’s coaches…named to the preseason watch list for the Lombardi Award…the defensive co-captain started 12 games and led Arizona defensive linemen with 48 tackles (34 solos), as he ranked seventh in the Pac-10 and 60th in the nation with an average of 1.04 tackles for loss per game, totaling 12.5 stops for minus-46 yards…made 6.5 sacks for losses of 32 yards…collected one pressure, one forced fumble, and one pass deflection…earned Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week honors vs. Southern California. 2008: Shifted to the defensive side of the ball, starting all 13 games at left defensive tackle…put on 30 pounds in strength training to support the move to defense…finished with 40 tackles (16 solos), 1.5 sacks for minus-10 yards, 5.5 stops for losses of 14 yards and a pass deflection. 2007: Played in 12 games at fullback and H-Back…caught five passes for 38 yards (7.6 ypc) and a TD, adding an eight-yard kick return vs. UCLA…scored the team’s first TD from its new spread formation when he caught a seven-yard toss at the end of the Brigham Young clash. 2006: The 250-pound fullback started seven games while seeing action in all 12 games as a true freshman…rushed four times for seven yards and caught nine passes for 136 yards (15.1 ypc)…blocked a punt vs. LSU, adding two catches for 26 yards…had a 27-yard reception vs. Washington State and two grabs for 45 yards and a score in a 37-10 triumph over Oregon. HIGH SCHOOL: Attended North Shore (Galena Park, Tex.) High School…earned first-team All-District 23-5A honors, as well as SuperPrep All-Midlands and All-Southwest…as a senior, helped his team to an 11-1 record, with their only loss coming in the area playoffs…rated the ninth-best tight end by Texas High School Football…listed


April 22-24, 2010 as a Houston Chronicle Top 5 area receivers recruit, one of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Top 10 tight ends, and a Dallas Morning News State 100 selection…ranked 82nd on the San Antonio Express-News Texas 100 and named an area top prospect by Port Arthur News…earned postseason Texas 100 honors from Rivals.com, as that recruiting service gave him a three-star rating and listed him as the nation’s 10th-best fullback prospect and the 93rd-best prospect from the state of Texas…Scout.com gave him a three-star rating and listed him as the nation’s 29th-best tight end prospect. PERSONAL: Interdisciplinary studies major…resides in Houston, Texas.


April 22-24, 2010

Texans DT Earl Mitchell (Transcribed by Lance Jaramillo)

(on what it feels like to be drafted by his hometown team) “It’s crazy. It’s a surreal experience and it's just been a dream of mine just to play professional football. It’s a good feeling and I’m excited.”

(on playing with DE Mario Williams and the rest of the defensive line) "I get to learn from good guys that are veterans and very good players. I’m very excited to be a part of that. I’m very excited to be a part of this organization."

(on shifting from tight end position to defensive tackle) "Playing with (North Shore High School coach) David Aymond was a great experience. He had me playing tight end and fullback. Playing defensive tackle was the last thing on my mind. It was one of the best things that Coach Stoops (Arizona head coach Mike Stoops) had done for me. It was one the best moves that had got me here.”

(on what can he bring to the defensive tackle position) “I bring a lot of versatility and athleticism. I just have a lot of knowledge because I played offense. I just bring a lot of things to the table just because of my knowledge of the game.”

(on if his presence at defensive tackle can loosen up the play for the rest of the defensive line) “That is my plan. I come here to produce. This is a pass first league. I’m going to come in and try to learn from those guys on becoming better as a pass rusher and develop my game on being a professional.”

(on growing up as a fan of the Texans and now playing for them) “Being able to play here is a fulfilled dream. I grew up as an Oilers fan. Houston has been a big part of my life. Just being a part of something that has Houston on it is just a great experience for me and my family.”

(on his chances of being drafted by his hometown team) “I really didn’t have it planned out, but it’s the best thing that happened to me. So I’m going to give my all.”

(on if he's been to a Texans game) “I’ve never been to an NFL game. The first game will be in uniform.” (on his expectations coming in to the draft) “I just prayed that my athleticism showed and everything I did from training and all the things I did at Arizona would just help me come here and be a productive person and be a productive player on the field. I feel like I could to be an elite player and I feel like I can grow.” (on transition from H-Back to defensive end/tackle) “It was interesting. Playing H-Back and tight end has its pros where I was able to know a lot of communication with the offensive linemen. The physical part, just playing in the trenches at tight end was a good


April 22-24, 2010 experience and it made the transition that much easier just because the physical aspect of the game stayed the same. It was fairly easy. I just had to learn finesse and pass rushing. That type of deal. I just had to learn the knowledge of the defense.”


April 22-24, 2010 DARRYL SHARPTON Middle Linebacker Height: 5-11 Weight: 236 Drafted: 4th round (102nd overall) University of Miami CAREER: Started 30 of 52 games at Miami, including 18 at middle linebacker, nine at strong-side and three at weak-side linebacker…recorded 255 tackles (154 solo) that included 2.5 sacks for minus 24 yards and 27.0 stops for losses totaling 75 yards…caused and recovered a fumble…deflected nine passes…fielded six short kickoffs for 40 yards and had a 73-yard interception return for a touchdown. 2009: Played in all 13 games, starting the final 12 games at middle linebacker...led the team with a career-high 106 tackles (65 solo)… caused a fumble, deflected three passes and intercepted another for a 73-yard touchdown return…also fielded a pair of kickoffs for 22 yards (11.0 avg)… selected ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week in each of the Hurricanes’ final two regular season contests…recorded at least 10 tackles in five games. 2008: Started nine games at strong-side linebacker, coming off the bench vs. Virginia, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and California (Emerald Bowl)…saw playing time on the weak-side and in the middle, finishing fourth on the team with 58 tackles (33 solo) that included 1.5 sacks for minus 14 yards and six stops for losses of 24 yards…recovered a fumble and broke up two passes…gained 18 yards on a trio of short kickoff returns. 2007: A valuable fill-in at either weak-side linebacker, strong-side linebacker or middle linebacker…played in 11 games…ranked sixth on the team with 46 tackles (30 solo), adding one stop for a 12-yard loss…deflected a pass and fielded an onside kick for no return. 2006: Named third-team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News and College Football News…selected to The Sporting News ACC All-Freshman team...one of eight UM players who were selected to the 2006 ACC Academic Football Team...played in 10 games, starting vs. Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Virginia and Boston College at middle linebacker...totaled 45 tackles (26 solo) with a 10-yard sack, five stops for losses of 18 yards and three pass deflections. 2005: Played in the team’s first three games vs. Florida State, Clemson and Colorado before receiving a medical hardship. HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Coral Gables (Fla.) High School, playing football for head coach Joe Montoya…played both offense and defense throughout his career, and also returned kickoffs and blocked punts…as a senior in 2004, he finished with 96 tackles


April 22-24, 2010 (three for loss), two interceptions and four blocked punts…selected to play in the Cali/Florida Bowl, but declined the invitation…as a junior, he recorded 110 tackles and one interception for a touchdown…ranked as the nation's 28thbest outside linebacker prospect by Rivals.com and was chosen All-Dade County while ranking as the 10th-best prospect in Dade County by the Miami Herald…member of the Florida Times-Union Super 75 squad…was in his school’s International Baccalaureate Program. PERSONAL: Graduated with a degree in Finance…presently enrolled in post-graduate school…resides in Coral Gables, Florida.


April 22-24, 2010

Texans LB Darryl Sharpton (Transcribed by Deon Reynolds and Daniel Sampson)

(on how excited he is to be drafted) “I’m excited. With all the anticipation building up the last couple of days I could hardly sleep last night. I’ve been up since five o’clock this morning. I’m just so excited to be picked and I’m happy to go to Houston.” (on how much injuries slowed him at Miami) “I’m a big believer in perseverance. When you play football it’s a physical game and you are always going to get nicked up. All you got to do is persevere and work hard. That’s what I’ve done all my years at the University of Miami and I’m ready to continue to do that in Houston.” (on how consistent his game is) “I’m going to bring a lot. Every play I play it’ll be really hard and will be a hundred miles per hour every play. I’m going to work hard. I’m just looking forward to getting to Houston and getting to work immediately.” (on if he’s looking forward to playing with the Texans' current line backing unit) “I look forward to it a lot. I’m a linebacker myself so obviously I’m very familiar with those guys and how they play. I look forward to playing with such great linebackers. My qualities will complement them and I believe we will have a great line backing corps.” (on the prospect of playing with Texan WR and fellow Miami Hurricane Andre Johnson) “When the Texans called me he was one of the first people that popped in my mind. He has been working out with me all the time at the University of Miami. I look forward to being his teammate.” (on what is his biggest asset) “My biggest asset is my motor and my physicality.” (on joining a team with a good linebacker corps already established) “It’s very cool. The linebackers are the quarterbacks of the defense. I think that these linebackers are going to be able to do some great things next year.” (on joining RB Ben Tate in Houston) “I worked out with Ben Tate. Me and him are really good friends and I look forward to being a teammate with him as well. I’m excited about that.” (on how far he thinks the Texans can go during his rookie season) “I’m optimistic. I think the sky is the limit all the way.” (on working out with any of the former Miami Hurricane linebackers) “I’m really close with a lot of the Miami linebackers, in particular, guys like (Jonathan) Vilma, D.J. Williams, Nate Webster. Guys like that I’m very close with, we stay in contact and we shoot ideas off each other.”


April 22-24, 2010 (on if he anticipated being picked by the Texans) “I wasn’t sure. I was hearing from a lot of different people. I really didn’t hone in too much on any particular team. I came in with an open heart and I’m fully committed to being a Houston Texan.”


April 22-24, 2010 GARRETT GRAHAM Tight End Height: 6-3 Weight: 245 Drafted: 4th round (118th overall) University of Wisconsin CAREER: Started 33-of-40 games for the Badgers, catching 121 passes for 1,492 yards and sixteen touchdowns…became the 20th player in school history to gain over 1,000 yards receiving in a career and was the fifth Wisconsin tight end to accomplish that feat, joining Travis Beckum, Pat Richter, David Charles and Tim Stracka…only Beckum (159) have more receptions by a tight end in school annals than Graham’s 121 (tied with Pat Richter)…his sixteen touchdown catches moved him into a tie with Chris Chambers (1997-2000) for fifth place on the Badgers’ all-time record list…those scoring grabs rank topped the previous school all-time record for tight ends (15 by Pat Richter) has more touchdown receptions…ranks eleventh in school history with 1,492 yards receiving. 2009: Earned first-team All-Big Ten Conference honors from the media and second-team accolades from the league’s coaches…named team co-MVP…midseason John Mackey Award Watch List nominee (nation’s top tight end)…started thirteen games catching a career-high 51 passes for 624 yards (12.24 ypc) and seven touchdowns…his seven scoring grabs tied for eighth on the school season-record list…caught 51-of-74 balls targeted to him (68.92%), as he dropped three attempts and had five others deflected by the opposition…40 of his catches produced first downs, converting 16-of-27 third-down tosses (59.26%)…had 37 catches for at least ten yards, including nine for 20 yards or longer… also came up with key receptions on eighteen touchdowns drives and three possessions that produced field goals…served as one of the team’s four captains. 2008: All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection by the league’s media, The NFL Draft Report and CBS Sportsline, earning second team honors from the conference’s coaches…led the team with a career-high 40 receptions for 540 yards and five touchdowns, as it marked the third-straight year a tight end led the team in catches…had a total of 61 passes targeted to him (caught 65.57%), as six of those tosses were deflected by the opposition and 15 others were un-catchable…did not drop any of those throws and did not lose any ground or get tackled for no gain on any of his 40 grab…made seven of his catches inside the red zone, including five on goal-line plays…as a blocker, he delivered 38 knockdowns/key blocks that included eight down field, three touchdown-resulting blocks. 2007: Earned his first varsity letter, starting 10-of-13 games in the team’s two-tight end formation, coming off the bench vs. Washington State, Iowa and Illinois…finished second on the team, catching 30-of-47 passes targeted to him for 328 yards and four touchdowns…along with Travis Beckum’s 75 catches, it marked the first time in


April 22-24, 2010 Wisconsin history that tight ends finished 1-2 in receiving during the same season…24 of his 30 grabs produced first downs, as Graham helped convert 12-of-16 third-down tosses and one other on fourth down…caught eight of his passes inside the red zone, including four on goal-line plays…Registered 31 knockdowns/ key blocks that included seven down field blocks and three touchdown-resulting block…also recorded a solo tackle vs. Iowa. 2006: Saw action in three games…made his collegiate debut late in the Minnesota clash and also played briefly in the Buffalo game…saw his most extensive action vs. Arkansas in the Capital One Bowl. 2005: Redshirted as a freshman. HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Brick Township Memorial (Brick, N.J.) High School, playing football for head coach Fred Sprengel…named to the Associated Press, Newark Star-Ledger and Gannett News All-State teams as a junior and senior…New Jersey Top 25 and National Top 35 prospect selection, earning a four-star rating from Rivals.com…rated the 26th-best overall prospect in the nation by Scout.com…chosen for Prep Football’s All-East Top 60 list…was a versatile performer, as he lined up at tight end and defensive end, in addition to handling place-kicking and punting chores…the two-time team captain and MVP caught 25 passes for 604 yards and ten touchdowns, adding fourteen tackles (10 solo) with a pair of sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception, adding five field goals, including two for distances of 45 and 47 yards as a senior…he closed out his prep career with 2,031 yards and 21 touchdowns on 96 receptions. PERSONAL: Sociology major…son of Eileen and Gordon Graham…father played for the West Virginia University soccer team…born 8/04/86…resides in Brick, New Jersey.


April 22-24, 2010

Texans TE Garrett Graham (Transcribed by Deon Reynolds)

Texans TE Garrett Graham (on his initial reaction when was drafted) “I was shocked and excited. I’m just grateful to get the opportunity to play in the NFL and have a great opportunity to go to a franchise like the Texans. I’m just really looking forward to it.”

(on if he had any idea the Texans would draft him) “Before I answered the call I really didn’t. I was thinking I would be drafted by Dallas or the Falcons, but this probably couldn’t be a better offense for the type of tight end that I am. This is going to be a great opportunity.”

(on what type of tight end is he) “I’m a complete tight end. I can block and stretch the field. I have good hands. I kind of have a knack for the first downs in the red zone.”

(on what he knows about the Texans) “I watch whenever I can. I’m from Wisconsin; I don’t get that many games that the Texans are on. I know they are a good team and I’m looking forward to getting down there and contributing anyway that I can.”

(on how much he knows about Texans TE Owen Daniels) “I know quite a bit about Owen Daniels. I was a freshman when he was a senior at Wisconsin. I followed him quite a bit. He is a great guy to watch and will definitely be a great guy to learn under.”

(on if he learned anything while playing with Daniels at Wisconsin) “Up until my senior year we watched film on him on certain plays and what he did. I definitely picked up on the things that he did and his game and tried to carry it over to mine.”

(on what he learned while playing with Wisconsin TE Travis Beckum) “He’s a very good route runner and great competitor. I took some things away from him from that aspect of the game, like certain routes he ran and how he would be open."

(on being in competition with other tight ends on the Texans roster) “I’m going to do what I can. I’m going to come in there and play my hardest.”

(on if he see himself as an equal part tight end/H-back in the NFL) “I’ll do whatever they want me to do. I feel like I could do both. Whatever they want out of me, that is what I’ll do.”

(on if Texans TE Owen Daniels were involved in his recruiting at Wisconsin) “He was. He actually showed me around the campus with a couple of other tight ends when I took my visit out there.”


April 22-24, 2010

Houston Texans Fourth-Round News Conference April 24, 2010

(Transcribed by Charles Hampton, Sybil Scott and Opal Taskila) Texans linebackers coach Johnny Holland Texans tight ends coach Brian Pariani Texans linebackers coach Johnny Holland (opening statement) "(LB) Darryl Sharpton, our fourth round draft pick out of Miami, played Mike linebacker in college. He's a versatility guy, plays Mike or Will linebacker. Compact player, very explosive, I thought he did an excellent job of coming downhill, playing physical. That's the type of play that we like our linebackers to play. We've been eyeballing him for a while; didn't think we'd get him as a fourth round draft pick as a linebacker but we're definitely glad to have Darryl. He'll bring a lot of energy to our group, he'll fit in good in our group and to our team and he will definitely be a top contributor on special teams. I just like the energy he plays with, I like his versatility that he can play Mike linebacker or Will linebacker and we're very excited to have him. I think that was a great draft pick for us. You know, chemistry is really important in our group and not only is he a good football player but he's a great person. I think he's graduated already, a 3.0 GPA guy, comes from a great family, so we're very excited to have him." Texans tight ends coach Brian Pariani (Opening Statement) “Obviously, we’re excited about (TE) Garrett (Graham) playing on the team. I think anytime you can add a tight end of that caliber again, that can catch the ball and block, you’re only adding to what we already have at that position between (TEs) Owen (Daniels), Joel (Dreessen), Anthony (Hill) and James Casey. I’m excited to get another player that fits the mold of those kind of people and I think he’ll play in this kind of system for a long time.” (on they would have drafted Graham k even if all the Texans’ tight ends were healthy) “Yeah, I think if we were healthy we would have still made that pick. I think that we value this player, and I think we can never have enough tight ends. I said that last year. The way to beat defense is by moving people around and I think that this is another guy that is smart, and he’s been a good player in the Big Ten.” (on if Graham will play backup fullback) “No this guy will be a tight end.” (on how Graham will fit in when the all of his tight ends are healthy) “When they’re all healthy we let them go out there and compete to see who the best players are, which one of them can help us win.” Johnny Holland


April 22-24, 2010 (on Sharpton’s potential playing time) “Well first of all, his versatility as both a Mike and Will is good, and he will definitely be a contributor on special teams. He played Mike in college and some Will early in his career, but there is a challenge for the backup spot. He’s competing to play behind LB DeMeco Ryans. He’s not competing with DeMeco, but he can definitely be a backup.” (on if the Texans expected to get a linebacker as a fourth round draft pick) “We only have six on our roster, and we usually go to camp with eight or nine of them so we had to find some somewhere. We need young guys that can really contribute on special teams, and young ones that can contribute all over the field.” Brian Pariani (on if Graham is similar to TE Owen Daniels, having come out of the same program) “Yeah I think you can see that he has spent three years there (University of Wisconsin). I’m just excited that he’s on the team and can compete with the other guys we have.”


April 22-24, 2010 SHERRICK McMANIS Cornerback Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Drafted: 5th round (144th overall) University of Miami CAREER: Talented cornerback who earned an postseason all-star invite to the 2010 East-West Shrine Game (was unable to participate in the game due to injury)…invited to the NFL's 2010 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis...has tremendous football instincts...possesses skills that "you can't coach"...positioned sixth (tied with Willie Lindsey) on NU's career interceptions list with nine...ranks third on NU's career pass breakups list with 30...despite being hampered with leg injuries his senior season, played in 10 of 13 games and was named team's 2009 Defensive MVP...an outstanding special teams player. 2009: Team co-captain...first-team All-Big Ten selection by media and second-team all-league choice by coaches...team's 2009 Defensive Most Valuable Player...named the Tri-County Male Athlete of the Year by his hometown Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame... finished with 37 tackles and a team-best five interceptions in 10 games...ranked first in Big Ten and eighth nationally in interceptions…had a string of 30 consecutive starts until sitting out Eastern Michigan and Syracuse games with a leg injury...Academic All-Big Ten. 2008: Consensus honorable mention All-Big Ten selection...finished fourth on team with 67 tackles and first on squad with 14 passes defended, which is tied for fifth in the Big Ten and 38th nationally...three tackles in 2008 Alamo Bowl vs. Missouri...five stops and one interception vs. Illinois, earning team defensive big playmaker honors...at Michigan, set a career high with three pass breakups and finished with three…racked up a career-best nine solo tackles against the Blue Devils...named team's defensive player of the game vs. Duke...tied for 38th in the Big Ten with 5.2 tackles per game. 2007: Starter at cornerback...returned kickoffs in 10 games (first four, last six)...ranked sixth in the Big Ten with a 23.2 ypr average…led team with 10 tackles (six solo), as well as two TFL's (loss of 5 yards) in win over Northeastern...finished third on team with 75 tackles...had 6.5 TFL's and led team with six pass breakups. 2006: Named to Sporting News' Freshman All-Big Ten team...team's NGN Special Teams Newcomer of the Year Award recipient...Named the team's special teams player of the week for five consecutive weeks (Eastern Michigan through Purdue) and seven overall...earned his sixth and seventh such honors for performances at Michigan and Iowa...made his first start on defense, playing the team's nickel back against Purdue... started three games (Michigan, Iowa and Ohio State) at cornerback...handled team's


April 22-24, 2010 kickoff return duties...ranked seventh in the Big Ten with a kickoff return average of 21.0...had six kickoff returns for 30 or more…earned his first career interception against Ohio State's Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith...added three tackles and two pass breakups vs. the Buckeyes. HIGH SCHOOL: A versatile performer who earned team MVP and all-state honors (played eight different positions his senior year)...earned all-state honors from the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette and Illinois Football Coaches Association...first-team Peoria Journal Star all-area and all-conference selection, as well, in 2005...helped the Knights earn a berth in the Illinois state playoffs three consecutive years ... Primarily played tailback and defensive back for Richwoods...also a dangerous kick and punt returner...earned a spot in the IFCA's Shriners All-Star game…won the Illinois state long jump his junior year...one of several Northwestern players to come out of Richwoods High -- Dan and Ed Sutter are two other Richwoods' alums…coached by Doug Simper. PERSONAL: Born Sherrick Terravis McManis...son of Cindy and John White...communication studies major


April 22-24, 2010

Texans CB Sherrick McManis (Transcribed by Daniel Sampson)

(on his initial reaction to receiving the phone call from the Texans) “I was excited. I was happy someone gave me a chance.”

(on if he had any idea the Texans might draft him) “I really didn’t have a clue. I talked with them before but I talked to a lot of teams — you just never know.”

(on what he thinks of the Houston Texans) “I’m willing to come there and give them everything I got. I know they drafted an upper round guy and I'm ready to compete.”

(on what type of player he is) “I would have to say a physical player that’s willing to do whatever it takes to win a game. A humble guy with good ball skills.”

(on if he looks forward to playing special teams if the opportunity presents itself) “I take pride in special teams — that’s what got me into Northwestern. I’m ready to do that for the Texans.”

(on the Texans' cornerback competition) “I’m ready to get in there — to compete — learn as much as I can from the veterans and compete for a spot and do whatever I can to help the team out.”

(on what wide receiver in the Big Ten conference he shutdown) “I was real glad when I went against (WR Mario) Manningham. I felt that competition was always there. To be able to go against Manningham, Ted Ginn, (WR James) Hardy — so many guys that have so much potential that I was able to play against and learn from.”

(on if he is open-minded about playing safety) “Whatever I can do to help my team and whatever I am successful at, I will do it.”


April 22-24, 2010 SHELLEY SMITH Guard Height: 6-4 Weight: 300 Drafted: 6th round (187th overall) Colorado State University 2009: senior starter at weakside guard, played in nine games with eight starts, but did not miss a conference game...an honorable-mention all-conference selection, allowed only two QB hurries on the season, finishing with nearly 50 knockdown blocks in conference play alone, and 19 "outstanding efforts"...preseason all-conference selection, sustained an ankle injury in practice Aug. 29 and missed the season's first three games...entered the year on the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list, the first such CSU player since Erik Pears in 2004...named in the season's opening week one of five permanent team captains, one of two on offense (also Cole Pemberton). 2008: A second-team all-MWC choice, played in 12 games, with 11 starts, including the New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 20)...started the season opener at weak-side guard vs. Colorado (Aug. 31) and played the entire game, making a nice block on Gartrell Johnson's 18-yard run in the first quarter; sustained an ankle injury in CU contest and did not practice the following week...missed the home opener vs. Sacramento State...did not start the following week vs. Houston (Sept. 20), but played the entire fourth quarter at guard, collecting a pair of pancake blocks...at Air Force (Nov. 1), opened a hole for Gartrell Johnson's 17-yard run on CSU's first play; the Rams would score a go-ahead TD on the march...considered by coaches the team's most talented offensive lineman, with the ability to pull and adjust on the run, complementing great speed and strength. 2007: Beat out several competitors to earn starting role at left guard, and made first career start in season opener at Colorado (Sept. 1); started all 12 contests and impressed coaches despite his inexperience...in win vs. Georgia Southern (Nov. 17), opened a hole for Kyle Bell on his fourth-quarter touchdown run. 2006: Saw playing time in three games. 2005: Redshirted as a true freshman. HIGH SCHOOL: Was an all-star offensive lineman at Westview High School in Phoenix, Ariz....earned three varsity letters in football, and was a two-year starter...lettered once in track, where he threw the shot put and discus...received first-team all-region honors in 2004 as an offensive tackle and was second-team as a defensive lineman...was a two-time all-state performer in football and was named to the all-Arizona team as a senior...was named the West Valley Player of the Year as a senior...high school coach was Jeff Bowen.


April 22-24, 2010 PERSONAL: Given name Shelley Andres Smith...born May 21, 1987, in Phoenix, Ariz. ...son of Ishmia Reed-Smith...has one brother and one sister...majoring in nutrition and food science...hometown: Phoenix, Ariz.


April 22-24, 2010

Texans G Shelley Smith (Transcribed by Daniel Sampson)

(on his initial reaction to being drafted by the Texans) “I was just excited and glad to know where I would be going and just can’t wait to get started.”

(on what type of offensive lineman he is) “Physical, tough — I play hard as I can every snap.”

(on if he talked to anyone on the Texans staff leading up to the draft) “I talked to a number of different scouts, offensive line coach, head coach and a number of different guys in the organization.”

(on what the Texans said when they drafted him) “They just said, ‘You’ll have a chance, come in to work,’ and I am.”

(on playing with current Texans players that played at Colorado State) “I got a chance to play with a number of those guys and I’m looking forward to seeing them and playing with them.”

(on how familiar he is with the zone blocking scheme) “Very familiar. We ran a lot of zone blocking at Colorado State since I been there, even after the coaching change. I think that will definitely help me.”

(on having the chance to talk with Texans head coach Gary Kubiak) “I had the opportunity to talk to him off the field.”

(on what advice Texans coach Gary Kubiak gave him) “He just told me to come ready to work — make sure I’m prepared. I can’t wait. I’m excited.”


April 22-24, 2010 TRINDON HOLLIDAY Wide Receiver Height: 5-5 Weight: 165 Drafted: 6th round (197th overall) Louisiana State University CAREER: The fastest player ever to play college football who ranks among the nation's elite as a return specialist...has returned a combined total of four punt returns and kickoff returns (2 of each) for touchdowns...capped his career ranked among the all-time leaders at LSU in punt return yards (7th at 647) and kickoff return yards (2nd at 1,806)...his combined return yards of 2,453 ranks second in school history to Domanick Davis' 3,294 return yards...finished his career with 3,297 all-purpose yards (772 rushing, 72 receiving, 647 PR, 1,806 KOR), which ranks 10th in school history...is an eight-time All-American in track and field for the Tigers and is the reigning NCAA�champion in the 100-meter dash after clocking 10.00 in the national final at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor meet...is a three-time SEC�Special Teams Player of the Week recipient...improved draft status by running a 4.34 at the NFL Combine in February of 2010. 2009: Doubled as a running back and return specialist for the Tigers...played in all 13 games with no starts...led SEC and ranked No. 2 in the nation in punt returns with a 18.1 average on 20 returns (362 yards, 1 TD)...had best game of season in regular season finale with 212 all-purpose yards in overtime win over Arkansas...had season-high 57 rushing yards on nine carries along with 109 punt return yards and 46 kickoff return yards...returned a punt 87 yards for a second quarter TD in the win over Arkansas...had big special teams game vs. Penn State in Capital One Bowl, returning two punts for 43 yards and two kickoffs for 63 yards...added 10 yards rushing vs. Penn State to finish with a team-best 116 all-purpose yards...had a 50-yard punt return vs. Tulane...Set up LSU's game-winning score against Georgia with a 40-yard return to the Georgia 38-yard line...LSU scored two plays later to go-ahead for good at 20-13 with just under a minute left...scored his rushing TD on an 11-yard scamper against Louisiana-Lafayette in the third week of the season...caught three passes for 36 yards, including a career-long 26 yard reception against Auburn. 2008: A running back with lightning speed who also served as the Tigers’ top return specialist...played in all 13 games...racked up 609 kickoff return yards – the second-most in single-season school history -- on 27 tries...accumulated 279 yards on 21 punt returns and ranked 16th in the nation in average yards per punt return (13.3)...added 114 yards rushing on 21 carries and two receptions for 33 yards for the season...averaged 8.8 yards per rush...was kicked away from most of the season...Against North Texas, he returned four punts for a total of 163 yards, the second-most in school history behind Norman Jefferson’s 169 in 1983...returned a punt 92 yards for a touchdown against North Texas, which tied for the second-longest punt return in school history...his efforts against North


April 22-24, 2010 Texas earned him the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for the third time in his career...returned three kickoffs for 124 yards with a season-long 49 yarder at Arkansas...also rushed three times for a season-high 38 yards versus the Razorbacks, including a career-long 39 yarder...returned three punts for 27 yards and seven kickoffs for 164 yards against Georgia...his 194 all-purpose yards against the Bulldogs was a career high...finished with two carries for 26 yards against Florida...hauled in one pass against the Gators for 18 yards and returned seven kickoffs for 141 yards with a long of 41...logged two carries for 19 yards to go along with 36 yards on two punt returns in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Georgia Tech. 2007: Doubled as a running back and return specialist for the Tigers...rushed for 364 yards and two touchdowns on 53 carries and then added 498 yards and one TD on 19 kickoff returns...averaged 6.9 yards per rush and 26.2 yards on kickoff returns...rushed for a career-high 73 yards and a score on six carries against South Carolina...TD came on a season-long 33-yard run...carried the ball five times for 45 yards and a TD versus Louisiana Tech...returned a kick 98 yards for a score in the win over Ole Miss...the play earned him SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors...the return for a TD was the second of his career and tied as the fifth longest in school history. 2006: A running back/return specialist with lightning speed...proved to be just as valuable as a decoy on the offensive side of the football...carried the ball 14 times for 172 yards (12.3 avg.) and a score...scored his first career touchdown on a 38-yard run against Fresno State...finished the game with three carries for 58 yards, both career highs, in the win over the Bulldogs...was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after scoring what proved to be the game-winning touchdown against Arkansas on a 92-yard kickoff return...on the year, averaged 32.4 yards on five kick returns. HIGH SCHOOL: One of the state's most underrated athletes who possesses incredible speed...posted the nation’s fastest indoor times in the 55 and 60-meter dash in 2005...led Northeast High School to the 2A state title in the spring of 2005 by winning the 100 and 200 meters...was also second in the state meet in the long jump...has been clocked at 4.27 seconds in the 40-yard dash...clocked as fast as 6.27 seconds in the 55-meter dash...accumulated 2,210 yards rushing (11.4 per carry) on 193 carries and 34 touchdowns as a senior...averaged 27.6 yards per punt return...rushed for 1,870 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior...four-time state champion in the 200 meters and three-time state champion in the 100 meters...coached by David Masterson. PERSONAL: Full name is Trindon Jerard Holliday...born April 27, 1986, in Baton Rouge...Mom is Gwendolyn Richardson...has three siblings – Treavion, Dennis and Damonte’...majoring in general studies.


April 22-24, 2010

Texans WR Trindon Holliday (Transcribed by Deon Reynolds)

(on his initial reaction when he received the call from the Texans) “My heart just dropped when I received the phone call.”

(on being labeled the fastest man in college football history) “It was a great accomplishment and great title to have with me playing in the SEC.”

(on if he was surprised that the Texans drafted him and if he heard from any other teams) “Right before I received a call from the Texans I received a call from the 49ers where they said they were considering me. When my name popped up on the TV screen from the Texans I became really excited.”

(on what he believes was his 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine) “I felt that I ran a 4.24 or something in that range.”

(on what is the fastest that he has ever run the 40-yard dash) “The fastest I ever been clocked was at 4.25 when I was training.”

(on if he feels comfortable playing receiver instead of running back) “I feel very comfortable. I’ve been working on catching the ball as good as I can.”

(on if he believes he has to prove that he can play in the NFL despite his size) “I just want the opportunity to show some teams that I’m a capable guy and I can make something happen for some teams.”

(on if his height could be an advantage) “I think it’s a real advantage. I believe I could hide behind some of those guys in offensive line.”

(on if he has followed the Texans) “I used to watch the Texans all the time. Especially the last couple of seasons they have done a pretty good job.”

(on if he is competing in any more track meets) “I’m done with that. I’m just concentrating on being a Houston Texan.”

(on winning the national championship in track and field at LSU and now being drafted in the NFL) “It’s very exciting to be able to be a national champion and a couple of days before my birthday being drafted in the NFL. It is just a dream come true.”


April 22-24, 2010 DORIN DICKERSON Tight End Height: 6-2 Weight: 226 Drafted: 7th round (227th overall) University of Pittsburgh CAREER: Appeared in 46 games at Pittsburgh – eight at wide receiver, twelve at strong-side outside linebacker and 26 at tight end…all eleven career starts came at the tight end position…recorded 63 receptions for 708 yards (11.24 ypc) as 22.64% of his catches (twelve) resulted in touchdowns…rushed five times for 50 yards (10.0 ypc) and a score…returned ten kickoffs for 106 yards (10.6 avg) and recorded fifteen tackles (7 solo) with 0.5 stop for minus oneyard, a QB pressure and a pass deflection…his 49 receptions in 2009 rank second on the tight end season-record chart, topped by Dave Moore (51 in 1991)…his ten touchdown catches in 2009 set the school tight end annual record and tied Greg Lee (2004) for sixth place on Pitt’s overall touchdown season-record list…Dickerson’s three touchdown catches vs. Buffalo in 2009 were the most in a game by a Pitt player since Latef Grim scored three times vs. Villanova in 1998. 2009: Dickerson became the first Pittsburgh tight end since Mike Ditka in 1960 to earn first-team All-American honors, receiving that recognition from the Football Writers Association, and second-team accolades from The NFL Draft Report…finalist for the John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end…became the first Pitt tight end to receive All-Big East Conference first-team honors (Dave Moore – 1991 and Kris Wilson – 2003, both were second-team choices)…finished second on the team with 49 receptions (3.77 rpg), the second-best season total by a Panthers tight end…gained 529 yards (10.8 ypc), averaging 40.69 yards per game…his ten touchdown catches tied for sixth on the school’s overall season-record list and established a new mark for Pitt tight ends…among major college tight ends, only Dennis Morris of Louisiana Tech (12) had more scoring grabs during the course of the 2009 campaign…also returned a pair of kickoffs for 26 yards…averaged 42.69 all-purpose yards per game…in games that the tight end caught at least four passes, the Panthers compiled a 7-1 record…in contests where Dickerson registered a touchdown reception, Pitt won each of those seven games. 2008: In his first season at tight end, Dickerson played in all thirteen games, starting vs. Iowa and Syracuse…caught thirteen passes for 174 yards (13.38 ypc) and a pair of touch-downs…also carried twice on end-arounds, picking up 25 yards. 2007: Dickerson played in all twelve games as a reserve strong-side outside linebacker behind Adam Gunn…recorded 15 tackles (seven solo) with an assisted stop behind the line of scrimmage, a quarterback pressure and a pass deflection…added 56 yards on four kickoff returns (14.0 avg).


April 22-24, 2010 2006: Dickerson appeared in eight games as a reserve receiver and kickoff returner as a true freshman…had a 5-yard reception vs. Central Florida and ran for 25 yards on three carries that included a 14-yard touchdown vs. Toledo and a 10-yard reverse vs. Syracuse…also returned four kickoffs for 24 yards, including two runbacks for 11 yards in the West Virginia clash. HIGH SCHOOL: Attended West Allegheny (Imperial, Pa.) High School, playing football for head coach Bob Palko, whose son, Tyler was a former quarterback at Pittsburgh…played a variety of positions, including wide receiver, running back, quarterback, safety, cornerback and kick returner…as a senior, he rushed for 1,429 yards on 182 carries (7.9 ypc) and scored 30 touchdowns, while also having 22 receptions for 423 yards (19.2 ypc) with six scores, leading the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) with a total of 36 touchdowns, as the team captured their third-straight Class AAA title…on defense, Dickerson intercepted four passes that season, and was named Pennsylvania Class AAA Player of the Year by the Associated Press…Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated the fifth-best prospect from Pennsylvania in the class of 2006…was the 2006 recipient of the Pittsburgh Athletic Association's Mercury Award, annually presented to the top high school football player in Western Pennsylvania…also named the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Player of the Year and was a member of the newspaper’s "Fabulous 22" team. He added Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Terrific 25" and All-Class AAA accolades, in addition to being chosen to the Harrisburg Patriot-News "Platinum 33" squad…after his senior season, Dickerson was named Keystone Recruiting's Pennsylvania Class AAA Player of the Year and WPIAL Player of the Year…Rated the 35-best overall prospect and the fourth-best wide receiver in the country by Scout.com…that recruiting service also ranked him 11th on their East Region team…Rivals.com rated him the sixth-best prospect in the state of Pennsylvania and the eighth-best athlete in the nation…earned All-American honors from Super Prep and was a member of Prep Star’s Dream Team, in addition to placing 74th on ESPN.com’s National Top 150 Recruits list…chosen to play in the U.S. Army All-American Game and participated in the All-American Bowl, an all-star game featuring the nation's top 78 high school players at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas…as a junior, Dickerson rushed for 1,065 yards and 13 touchdowns, while catching 25 passes for 517 yards (20.7 ypc) and eight scores…during his three seasons with the varsity, West Allegheny earned three WPIAL Class AAA playoff berths and had a combined 26-8 mark (.765)…also lettered in basketball and track. PERSONAL: Communications major…son of Pamela and Randy Dickerson…father played basketball at Kansas State and Lock Haven...born Dorin R. Dickerson on 3/31/88…Resides in Imperial, Pennsylvania.


April 22-24, 2010

Texans WR Dorin Dickerson (Transcribed by Deon Reynolds)

(on what positions he has played) “I started off as a receiver and then I got shifted around a lot. I moved to linebacker my sophomore year and then to tight end my junior and senior seasons. I’ve shifted around a lot and just trying to find a home.”

(on the possibility of playing an H-back role) “I have a lot of flexibility; they can use me in a lot of different ways. The coaches will decide that when I get there and I’ll be playing a lot of special teams. I just want to help the team win and hopefully get to the Super Bowl.”

(on what the Texans said when they called him) “They were real excited and they said they would love to have me and hope that I’ll make the team and learn the position in their offense. I’m just real excited.”

(on the Texans' tight end competition) “The competition is everywhere you go. The best guys would end up playing. Those are the guy that would come in early and do the right things. They are the ones that would play and make this team go. I’m ready for the competition and I’m ready to compete.”

(on how he would describe himself as a player) “I’m a versatile H-back. I could line up in different positions. I could line up in the back field and I could line up at tight end. You’ll see me moving around a lot in special teams. Anything the coaches ask me to do, I’m going to do. I’m going to try to compete and win.”


April 22-24, 2010

Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak and GM Rick Smith Wrap Up News Conference

Saturday, April 24, 2010 (Transcribed by Opal Taskila, Deon Reynolds and Daniel Sampson)

Rick Smith (Opening statement) “Obviously our portion of the 2010 NFL Draft is done and I feel extremely proud of our group, I think more than anything. I just talked to them and told them how impressed I was with who we chose. We talked in a press conference earlier this week about the fact that we have some continuity and some consistency with our staff and sometimes it’s easy to not be attentive and get too comfortable, but I thought our group did an outstanding job of remaining focused. They did an outstanding job of evaluating the class and I think we got a good group. I’m excited about them and our football team is better and that’s the ultimate goal of the weekend.” Gary Kubiak (on drafting several tight ends) “Well really, I see one of them. (TE) Garrett (Graham) is definitely going to play the tight end position, but (WR) Dorin Dickerson, we’re going to play him as a wide receiver, that’s where he’s going for us. I just think he has a great deal of ability. The kid can go all over the place; he’s played linebacker, he’s played tight end. I see him having a future as a wide receiver in this league, so that’s where we’re going right away with him. He’s got 43 ½ inch vertical and he runs a 4.5 so he’s got a chance to be a big receiver, and we’re going to line him up behind (WR) Andre (Johnson) and he’s going to learn from the best. We’ve got a long way to come with him, but he’s going to be a great project for us.” (on seeing TE Garrett Graham as insurance coming off of offseason surgeries in the tight end position) “Well, a combination of both but we think he’s a fine player. We had a little luck catching a tight end out Wisconsin a few years ago. This kid kind of reminds us of (TE) Owen (Daniels). Actually Owen knows the young man, spoke very highly of him. He does a lot of things well, he’s played a lot of football, he was the team captain, he’s very respected--just the type of kid we’re looking for. There is a great opportunity for him here as we head into the offseason because we’ve got some guys that won’t be working. We’ll see how far he comes.” Rick Smith (on whether Sherrick McManis is a more of a cornerback or a safety) “He’s got definite athletic skills to play on the edge, and we love his football personality. He’s a very intelligent guy, a good leader for that team, and when we talked to the coaches or anybody from that school they rave about him and his abilities. We’re excited about him and he can play corner.”


April 22-24, 2010 (on why the Texans didn’t draft a wide body to collapse the pocket) “What we look for as a group on defense, you can have a bigger nose (tackle). We feel really good about (DT) Earl (Mitchell). He isn’t a big 360-pound guy, but he is a 300-pounder and he moves and again we talked about the other day in what we look for our guys. We need guys who are athletes and who can play on their feet and can run and chase and also have some gap integrity. We think he can do that.”

(on if the Texans are concerned with the health of their tight ends) “Obviously you have a concern when you have so many guys having off season surgery. It’s such an important position for our offense and we certainly have all the confidence in the world. First of all (TE) Owen (Daniels) will be coming back and he is ahead of schedule from what I understand in his rehab process. He learned how to rehab that injury. I have a lot of confidence that he will be back and will be fine. (TE) Anthony Hill, he had knee surgery as well and (TE) Joel Dressen had a couple of surgeries. We expect those guys to be back, but we also want to continue to get better and when there is an opportunity to improve your football team you figure out a way to get good football players out on the field. That’s our philosophy and that’s why we acquired the players that we have.”

Gary Kubiak (on the emotional phone conversation with RB Ben Tate) “All these kids are passionate when you call them with their families. It’s a great day in their lives and you catch in an emotional time. These kids worked extremely hard to get picked in one of these three days. You’re just happy for them and their families. You feel good about them coming to your organization when they are sitting there with that type of passion for the game. He spoke very well with our coaches and is excited to get going. He’s a very talented young man. He played big time football in the SEC and led the SEC in rushing last year. He knows we have a need for him to help this team very quickly. The phone call was a very good start.”

(on what fit RS Trindon Holliday will be for the Texans) “We think we have a returner that can change the field for us. As punt and kick returner we think he could do wonders for our football team. I think we could teach him the back position and certain wide out positions.”

Rick Smith (on OG Shelly Smith) “He’s a great young man and a four-year starter and captain. You can tell football is important him and he is very passionate about the game. He’s a very intelligent guy and I’ll think he’ll fit well with our group.” Gary Kubiak “I know the young man and we’ve some success in the later rounds with some of these kids. He’s very athletic. He played very well in his first three years in college. He played with a high ankle sprain last year. I think it set him back a little bit. I think he has the


April 22-24, 2010 ability to play center and guard in this league. Skill-wise I think he has everything you could look for. I think he could fit very well in our group." Rick Smith (on why they chose CB Kareem Jackson ahead of other cornerbacks) “It was a comprehensive evaluation; obviously a lot of things come into play. First of all he has great skill and he’s a tough guy. We talked the other day about how you continue to add toughness to our football team and we felt like he (CB Kareem Jackson) does that. He has great ball skills, great speed, played in a big time conference, was a three-year starter and was a productive player. All the things you look for really set him apart for us. Obviously we had those guys sitting there, so clearly we had him rated as our guy that we felt could best come in and help our football team. I’m really excited about this young man and what he can do for us.” (on the overall draft and filling the team's needs) “I think in a lot of respects we filled some needs. The way I approach the offseason, I don’t think you can always fill every need that you have and I think it’s unrealistic to think that you do. Because a lot of times you make mistakes if you try to reach or do something to fill every need. But I think we were successful at addressing the areas on our football team that we needed to improve and it is up to these guys to go out there and coach them up.”

Gary Kubiak (on what he likes about RB Ben Tate) “I think he had four offensive coordinators in four years. He’s been through a variety of systems. He excelled this past year, carried the ball more than he ever had. Not only a big back, which we were looking for some power there from that standpoint, but this guy is 4.4 also — shows the ability to make big plays. It will be a little different for him — down in the I-formation and going that way but like his make-up. Throughout the interview process, we listened to him talk football and we think we can make a lot of progress from that standpoint — real quick. We just think he fits exactly what we want to do. Like his size but it’s always nice to have someone who can hit a homerun when everything works out.” Rick Smith (on the likelihood of pursuing an offensive guard in free agency) “We just added to our football team from a free agent perspective. We’re always constantly looking and if there are guys that are available or come available and could help our team and we will always consider those guys. Right now we feel good about our group.”

(on depth at safety) “I think we have two of our starters back from last year. The surgery that Eugene Wilson had, I think he is recovering well. I think he played extremely well for us and obviously (Bernard) Pollard’s addition during the season last year — he’s back. I think our safety postition is a good one. We have two starters returning. I think Dominique Barber is a good one. I think he has a lot of promise. I did like what I saw


April 22-24, 2010 early from Troy (Nolan) but he was injured early last year, so he has to go prove that he could go play at this level. But I like what he brings to the table.”

(on not drafting an offensive tackle) “I think Rashaad (Butler) did an outstanding job as a swing tackle. We only had three of them and Ephram (Salaam) has moved on and we will move on. So that is a place that we could have helped our team. Didn’t have that position with a player in terms of value during the last few days, so we didn’t. ”

Rick Smith (on if it was easy to pass RB Toby Gerhart for RB Ben Tate or if there was discussion) “We had a lot of discussion. I know (Texans offensive coordinator) Rick (Dennison) talked about that and how we had those guys evaluated and graded. There were things that we loved about Toby and things we loved about Ben. There were a lot of things that go into those evaluations—injury history, production, how they fit—all kinds of things that we talk about. Then as you look at the draft, if you can improve your football team in value and maybe pick up more picks and still feel like you can get a guy if you’ve got them rated pretty similarly. The one guy is always going to have things about them that you like better than the other guy, but if you’ve got them rated fairly similarly, then you feel like you can move and pick up additional picks to help your team, then you do it. That was really the thought process in the move." Gary Kubiak (on if any of the six corners might become safeties) “I don’t see that right now. I don’t.” Rick Smith (on what positions they are looking for in undrafted free-agents now) “That’s what we’ve got to do here once the draft is over. We will start the process of calling young men who were not drafted and really, that’s just a product of looking at the roster and obviously these picks that we have and look at the lines and see where we can continue to improve or what we need to go to training camp. But again, I'm not big on just signing players to fill lines. We want to go and try to find guys that can come in and compete and have a legitimate chance to make the team. So that's what we've got to do here as soon as we go back downstairs." Gary Kubiak (on if Sharpton will play in the middle of the line) "We think he can play the Will linebacker, he'll work as a back up Mike linebacker as well. One of the things that was intriguing about this pick was the fact that he's a very smart young man, good special teams player. We think he'll be able to handle all the spots for us as a swing player and compete possibly to be a starter on the team." Rick Smith


April 22-24, 2010 (on what they thought of the new three-day draft format) "I liked it. I felt like it was just a ton of excitement on Thursday night. I mean you could tell--I don't know if I've ever seen players so excited when their name got called, and some of the reactions and I think that was a little bit a product of the environment and what was happening there in Radio City. And I think it was useful for us because we were able to regroup a couple of times like we talked about, make some phone calls and anticipate some things that would happen. And so I thought it was good for the League." Gary Kubiak "I do too. I like the way we got a chance to regroup each night, talk about which direction you were going to head. And I think it was good for Football, too. I think it was great for our League and great exposure for all the young men who've worked so hard and I hope they keep it that way. I thought it was very good."


April 22-24, 2010

Texans CB Kareem Jackson Introductory News Conference

Friday, April 23, 2010 (Transcribed by Opal Taskila)

Texans CB Kareem Jackson Texans defensive coordinator Frank Bush Texans CB Kareem Jackson (on his getting drafted by the Houston Texans) “It’s a dream come true for me, and I’m going to come in a work hard. I’m going to do whatever it takes to contribute to the team and to help win." (on if there was a older player that he wanted to grow up like when he was younger) “I grew up watching Champ Bailey. As a kid I always loved his game and his techniques, so I always tried to watch the things he does and model myself after his game." (on what Draft Day was like for him) “I’ve been overwhelmed. Like I said, it has been a dream come true, what I’m doing. I am truly blessed, and I’m enjoying it.” (on what area he needs to improve on if he wants to excel in the NFL) “There is always something you can get better in, day in and day out. Back in my college days we would work on technique everyday. I think I can improve on my tackling a little bit. Instead of just trying to make the knockout hit, I will try to wrap up in it and make it a for sure tackle." (on his opinion of the Texans first 2010 preseason game against Peyton Manning the Indianapolis Colts) “Someone told me about that last night; it’s going to be a challenge. I’m looking forward to it. I won’t back down to too many challenges. Watching Peyton Manning, even though he’s a great quarterback, I will be out there and I’m going to make my presence known.” (on what he learned from Alabama head coach Nick Saban that will help him on this professional level) “I learned a lot from Coach Saban in the three years of being at the University of Alabama. One of the things that he stressed all the time to me was to pay attention to the details and all of the little things. That’s what makes great players. Once I learned to do that, it really helped me on and off the field. That would most definitely have to be the biggest thing I learned from him.” (on starting as a freshman at Alabama and its help in his transition to the Texans) “I think it will a whole lot. I wouldn’t really say it’s pressure because it’s playing football, that’s something I love. I’m going to put my all into it. I’m going to come in and work hard. I


April 22-24, 2010 don’t expect anybody to give me anything, I’m just going to come out and earn everything that’s given to me. I don’t really think of it as pressure.” (on what defensive coordinator Frank Bush has told him about the Texans and his future role) “To be honest, I haven’t really heard anything. Maybe before I leave I will sit down and talk to him, and see what the game plan is for me.” (on if he has a football weakness) “I don’t think I have a weakness. I know the areas I can improve in, but like I said, day in and day out I’m going to come in and work hard. I’m going to bring that will and that want to the team.” Texans defensive coordinator Frank Bush (on what it is like to add another weapon to the defensive arsenal) “Of course we’ve always talked about becoming a tougher defense, and Kareem brings that. We like the fact that he played in a winning program. We’re trying to get our program to be a winning program so we’re really excited about that. We believe that since he came out early that he is still moving up. He hasn’t reached his ceiling yet or reached his full potential, and we’re excited. We believe that he could be the piece to get us off our “humps” throughout the National Football League. We think his presence will make our defense a more physical defense." Jackson (on how stressful Draft Day was to him) “It was stressful sitting there just watching other guys get called. It was nerve wrecking, but at the same time, I have never been through anything like that. I was trying to take it all in and enjoy it with my family. I had a lot of fun. It’s a new chapter in my life that is ready to start.” (on what went through his mind when there were two other cornerbacks rated ahead of him) “Nothing really. Those couple guys that were ahead of me, they are good corners. I’ve watched a couple of their games, but I know what I can bring to the table and I know what I can do on the field.” (on if he got his hopes up to be a first round pick) “I wasn’t surprised at all. I knew if I came out and ran everything well at the combine that it would help me out a lot and it did. From getting my evaluation papers back I knew that if I had a good showing and then again on my pro day it would raise my stock, and it did. I was kind of a looking forward to getting in the first round and once it got going I finally did. I wasn’t surprised at all.” (on if there is one NFL player he is ready to cover) “No, there is no one guy I’m looking forward to going against. I’m looking forward to the challenge from all of them.” Bush


April 22-24, 2010 (on Jackson’s physicality and if that’s what attracted the Texans to him) “Absolutely. We’ve talked, even since last year when I took the job, that we needed to be a more attacking, physical defense. We need to go into games and try to establish our presence as a defense. Our offense has done a fabulous job of letting opposing teams know they’re out there, we need to start doing that on defense. Even way back in December when we first put the tape on to watch this kid we knew that’s what he was bringing to the table. That was really the attraction. Like he said though, he ran well at the combine but even before then we knew that he was one of the guys we liked. We liked the way he played, we liked his presence on the field. Basically, we liked a lot of things about him and fortunately for us he was there for the taking as the 20th pick.” (on how the draft choices played out in order for the Texans to pick up Jackson) “We had some things set up and they didn’t come out the way we planned as far as the running backs were concerned, but from the word "go" Kareem was our guy. He was our highest rated defensive player. For what we needed, he was everything the Houston Texans needed as a defensive back. When we had the opportunity we jumped right on it.” Jackson (on the lessons he takes from his non-winning time at Alabama) “Just buy into the coaches. The first year Coach Saban was there some of the guys didn’t buy into what he wanted to do as far as the team and the on and off the field issues. The next year everybody started listening and that year we went 12-2. Everyone finally got the picture and bought into what he was trying to do. Last year everybody finally got the picture and bought into what he was trying to do and we got it going as an organization. That was the biggest thing." (on what makes Coach Saban so special as opposed to other college coaches that have come from the NFL) “He’s a very good man as a coach. He coaches the corners so we would have individual meetings with him, individuals on the fields. He’s very hands-on and knows exactly what he wants. He’s going to get it out of you by any means necessary.” (on if he’s ready to be a starter immediately) “I think I’ll be ready when the time comes. I’m going to come in and work and improve in every aspect of my game. I’m going to do the little things and pay attention to the little details that are going to get me better as a player. I’ll be ready to come in and contribute in any way possible. If that means starting right away then I’m ready.” (on if Coach Saban thought he should stay one more year at Alabama and why) “He thought I should stay simply because there was potential to be All-American and team captain. We had several talks about it, but I was confident with my decision.”


April 22-24, 2010 (on if Saban’s hesitations were based on him not being ready to play in the NFL) “No, no it was never that.” (on what it says that there will be three Alabama players starting on the Texans) “I think it says that they breed good football players.”

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