Jacques Reeves played four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before joining the Texans.
The Texans have signed unrestricted free agent cornerback Jacques Reeves, the team announced Saturday.
Reeves (5-11, 188) played the first four years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, where he appeared in 60 games. He was taken in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of Purdue. During his first three seasons, he was a key contributor on special teams, recording 28 special teams stops. He returned 13 kickoffs in his rookie season for 199 yards and a long of 27 yards.
Reeves broke into the staring lineup last season, appearing in all 16 games with a career-high 13 starts at cornerback. He finished the season with 60 tackles (52 solo) and recorded his first career interception in Week 1 against the New York Giants (9/9/07) that he returned 18 yards.
Reeves, a native of Lancaster, Texas, played the Cowboys' divisional round playoff game against the Giants (1/13/08). He tied for the team high with five tackles.
While at Purdue, Reeves appeared in every game during his career, totaling 140 tackles, 17 passes defensed, seven interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. As a senior, he recorded 64 tackles, one sack and a pair of interceptions.
"He's a young veteran player that started 13 games last season for Dallas and shows a positive upside," defensive coordinator Richard Smith said. "He's got ideal size and good speed for our defense. Anytime we can add a player with good speed, we're moving in the right direction."
Reeves, a four-year veteran, said he was relieved to sign and know where he will be playing next season.
"I can get started finding a place to stay and just getting another life together here in Houston," he said. "This is a great organization from the top on down. Everybody I met was straightforward with me and were real cool people. I love the facilities and it's close to home—it's not too far from my home—so those are all big things."
Along with the opportunity to play man defense in Smith's scheme, the Texans' assemblage of talented young players was a strong drawing factor for Reeves.
"It's an up-and-coming franchise," he said. "(There are) a lot of young players on the team, especially on defense, and they really gelled, especially at the end of last year. A couple more wins, this is a playoff team."
