DX-TEX
#TomSavageDontCare
Brian T. SmithVerified account
‏@ChronBrianSmith .@McClain_on_NFL #Texans' McNair on health, honoring Dre, Rick-O'B, Clowney, Nix, playoffs, NRG, Astrodome and more http://www.houstonchronicle.com/spo...hp?t=eafd1705d3d8ff4dd2&cmpid=twitter-premium …
Tweet included so you can get the shared access view.
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/spo...hp?t=eafd1705d3d8ff4dd2&cmpid=twitter-premium
Some interesting tidbits:
"I've been quite pleased with free agency," McNair said. "We've accomplished what we set out to do. We signed a quarterback and got help in the defensive line. We wanted a free safety with range, more of a centerfielder, and we wanted to add some speed at receiver.
"And we were able to retain Kareem, Derek and Mallett. We did it within the cap, and we didn't sacrifice our future."
McNair is intrigued by the Wilfork signing, not only because of his impact on the defensive line but his influence on talented second-year nose tackle Louis Nix III, who spent his rookie season on injured reserve.
"Vince has been a terrific player," McNair said. "He's not 25 anymore, but we believe he can do the job for us, especially on first and second down.
"He plays hard. He'll be a good influence on Nix and show him what it takes to be a winner. Nix is healthy now. Having Wilfork mentoring him will have an impact on him.
"Nix is going to have to earn a spot. Physically, he's capable of doing that. We want to see the dedication and passion and have it show up on the practice field."
McNair scoffed at reports near the end of the season that he was removing Smith and hiring a new general manager. Smith is in his 10th year of running the personnel side or the organization.
"Rick's doing a good job," McNair said. "He and Bill work well together. I think they're on the same page.
"Rick has the ultimate responsibility for picking players, but he picks players the coaches want. He doesn't pick players the coaches don't want or they'll just sit on the bench."
McNair likes O'Brien's style of coaching, including what he believes are some special characteristics.
"I like the fact that when he sees someone not carrying out their responsibility, he corrects it immediately on the field," McNair said. "He doesn't worry if he's going to offend a (position) coach if he corrects the player. If he sees something that's not being done properly, he's right on it.
"He holds his coaches and players accountable. Sometimes loyalty can make a coach overlook poor performance, and Bill has a clear understanding that everybody has to perform, and it doesn't matter who you are. If you aren't performing, he'll make a change."
Shots fired on that last bolded.