Defensive end Antonio Smith played in all 16 games and started 10 for the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals last season.
The Texans signed free agent defensive end Antonio Smith and re-signed four free agents, the team announced today. Houston re-signed tight end Joel Dreessen, defensive end Stanley McClover, center Chris White and free safety Eugene Wilson.
Smith (6-4, 285) has played in 61 games with 39 starts in five seasons, all with the Arizona Cardinals. He has registered 126 career tackles, including 99 solo stops, 14.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.
Last year, the 27-year-old Smith played in all 16 games and started 10 for the NFC Champion Cardinals and recorded 31 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Smith started three of the Cardinals' four playoff games, including Super Bowl XLII, and notched eight tackles (seven solos), a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Smith was selected in the fifth round (135th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State. Texans defensive coordinator Frank Bush was a member of the Cardinals coaching staff during Smith's first three seasons.
Dreessen (6-4, 260) played in all 16 games for the first time in his career this year, starting three. He finished with career highs in receptions (11) and receiving yards (77).
McClover (6-2, 263) was a restricted free agent following his third NFL season. McClover joined the Texans on August 31, 2008 and saw action in the season opener at Pittsburgh (9/7). He was placed on injured reserve four days later with a knee injury.
White (6-2, 292) saw action in a career-high eight games in 2008 on special teams. In his four-year career, White has played in 15 games. White was originally signed by the Texans to the practice squad in 2006 and made the active roster in 2007.
Wilson (5-10, 195) joined the Texans in the week leading up to the season opener (9/3) and saw action in 12 games with 10 starts. He played his way into the starting lineup on a full-time basis in Week 8 vs. Cincinnati (10/26) and registered 63 total tackles, 52 solos, two interceptions and seven passes defensed. Wilson has 12 career interceptions in six seasons.
Dreessen, McClover, White and Wilson are the first four free agents that the Texans have re-signed this season. Houston also placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on CB Dunta Robinson.
Following are the free agents the Texans have re-signed (4):
TE Joel Dreessen (6-4, 260)
DE Stanley McClover (6-2, 263)
C Chris White (6-2, 292)
FS Eugene Wilson (5-10, 195)
