HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans are trying to fill a hole at nose tackle with a big name (and a big player): Vince Wilfork.
Wilfork's option was not picked up by the New England Patriots. Had it been, the Patriots would have owed him $4 million today, and he would have counted for $8.9 million against this year's salary cap.
Wilfork (6-1, 325 pounds) is a five-time Pro Bowler who spent 11 seasons with the Patriots. He was their first-round draft pick in 2004, when Romeo Crennel was the Patriots defensive coordinator. Crennel is now the Texans' defensive coordinator, and Wilfork is a great fit for his system.
The Texans tried to solve this position in the draft last season, but Louis Nix III, taken in the third round, has struggled. Texans coach Bill O'Brien expressed disappointment in Nix as a professional last season, and the Texans are not counting on him to be the starter they need there this season.
They signed Ryan Pickett during the season to take over there and Pickett did a good job. He's become a free agent, having signed a one-year deal, and in a pinch he could return. Pickett, though, is two years older than Wilfork.
As a (relatively) short-term answer, Wilfork would fit well.
