For the past three years under the tutelage of Mike Vrabel, Texans outside linebacker John Simon has emerged as a gritty contributor to the top-ranked defense in the NFL.
Simon has played through pain and inflicted punishment of his own. He injured his chest in a November loss to the Oakland Raiders in Mexico City and played just one game for the remainder of the season, but finished with a career-high 51 tackles, four for losses, two passes defended, one forced fumble and 3 1/2 sacks.
Now, the former Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year is an unrestricted free agent.