Suggs, Johnson visit with Texans

Texans sign ex-Jag Mack HOUSTON (AP) -- The Houston Texans signed free-agent running back Stacey Mack to a contract Wednesday. Mack spent his previous four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, starting 13 of 50 games. He gained 1,498 career yards on 372 carries with 19 touchdowns. He also caught 34 passes for 244 yards and another score. "We are very happy with the improvement we made to our offense with the addition of Stacey Mack," Texans general manager Charley Casserly said. "Stacey is a powerful running back who has a good chance to make an impact on our rushing game." Mack is expected to compete with second-year player Jonathan Wells for the starting tailback job.

HOUSTON (AP) -- The last time Terrell Suggs came to town was to accept the Lombardi Award as the nation's outstanding linemen. He returned Wednesday along with Miami wide receiver Andre Johnson to visit with the Houston Texans.

This time, it was all business.

"When I came for the Lombardi, I didn't think I was going to win, so I was just coming here to see Houston and have fun," Suggs said. "Now it's a strict business trip. I'm feel like I'm interviewing for a job."

Suggs, who performed poorly in an NFL-audition workout last month, and Johnson, a possible No. 3 pick by the Texans in the first round, continued the Texans' red-carpet treatment for some of the top names in the April 26-27 college draft.

"I'd love to be here on a great team and great quarterback," Johnson said. "It's something about talking to the coaches and being around here that there is something special going to happen to this team."

Johnson, a junior for the Hurricanes last season, said he'd talked with Texans quarterback David Carr.

"He's a great quarterback. I've talked to him a few times and he's a great guy," Johnson said. "I met with him today. He's hoping I can be here."

Johnson caught 33 passes for Miami last season for 592 yards and six touchdowns.

Suggs set an NCAA record with 22 sacks last season as a defensive end at Arizona State. He's projected as an outside linebacker in the Texans' 3-4 defense.

"I ran bad on one of my important days," Suggs said. "I'm running again. I'm going to see what I can really do with everybody out there watching.

"When you gain weight you tend to run a little slower but I've always been a 4.6 guy. I'm going to try to get to 4.6 but if I run a 4.7 I want it to be a low 4.7. That's what I'm shooting for."

The Texans will entertain Miami running back Willis McGahee and Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman on Thursday.

McGahee was a likely first round pick for the Texans before he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the national champion loss to Ohio State in January.

"His workouts are coming along real well," Johnson said. "He's working hard and shopping around with a lot of people. It doesn't surprise me because I know how hard he's worked and it's gong to pay off for him."

 

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