The Texans selected a hit man in the second round of this year's draft.

Safety D.J. Swearinger was drafted because he loves to hit opposing players.

Since Swearinger's arrival in Houston from South Carolina, he's been a hit with coaches, teammates, fans and media.

In his first four days of training camp, Swearinger has picked up where he left off in the offseason program - impressing everyone on and off the field.

"It's humbling, very humbling," Swearinger said after practice Monday. "I'm thankful for the opportunity every day. I'm just taking it in and getting all the knowledge I can to be the best I can be. Any time I wake up able to play football - any time I can put these pads on - it's a blessing. I love this game. I'm passionate about this game."

That passion shows on the field. Swearinger (5-10, 207) has a smash-mouth, trash-talking mentality that he likes to back up. His talent is catching the eye of his coaches and teammates.

"I'd say my smarts, my versatility, my instincts and my ability to affect others around me," he said when asked the strengths of his game. "I'm a live wire on the field. I'm a vocal guy that likes to have fun. I've always been a loud guy. I like to lead by example first - earn my respect first by my play. And once I get comfortable, I like to be myself."

His coaches are impressed with Swearinger's work ethic. He knows one speed on the field, and it's full throttle. He also spends a lot of time watching film.

Film room is his friend

"My parents instilled in me that hard work beats talent when talent isn't working hard," he said. "You have to work hard for everything you get in this life, on the field and off the field. Watching film - that's something I've been doing since high school. The more you know about this game, whether its offense, defense or special teams, the better overall player you'll be."

So far, Swearinger's teammates like what they see and hear.

"He's a fiery little guy," defensive end J.J. Watt said. "It's exciting to have a guy back there who's confident. He has that little swagger. I hear the chirping from the back end, and that's good. That means he made a play, and any time he's making plays, that's good for our defense."

Not many players get a chance to play with their idol, but Swearinger is learning from his favorite player growing up - Ed Reed.

"He talks to me about regular life and on-the-field stuff," Swearinger said. "I take it in every day, and I appreciate it. It's about being a pro about everything, on the field and off the field. Learning the full defense, it will help you a lot as a safety because we're the quarterbacks on the defense. Off the field, you have to handle yourself as a pro no matter what."

And the most important thing he's learning from Reed?

"Learning what everyone's doing around me," he said. "Once I learn what everybody's doing around me, I can slow the game down and just play football."

Something that surprised him the most about Reed?

Versatility a non-issue

"He's a guy that loves to have fun," Swearinger said. "He likes to joke around. It's something that sort of shocked me a little bit that he's always having fun, always smiling, always willing to give advice to anybody.

"He's always laughing. He'll come in the meeting room and blurt out a word. Or any time somebody's talking, he'll just say a little joke on the side, and everybody will bust out laughing. He's just a fun guy to be around."

Swearinger is proving to be a fun guy to be around, too. He's still trying to find his best spot on the field. He figures to be in the dime package, replacing Glover Quin around the line of scrimmage.

"I could play anything. It doesn't matter to me," he said. "But in the box, I can create a lot of turnovers. No matter where I'm at, I'm going to make plays."