It was one of those jokes tinted with truth.

When they first got to Houston, Texans rookie safety D.J. Swearinger playfully noted that outside linebacker Sam Montgomery was like his younger brother, even though Montgomery is older than him.

All the way back to high school, when the two of them were in Greenwood, S.C., that was the case. Swearinger provided guidance.

More from OTAs: See the latest Texans photo gallery at ultimatetexans.com

"D.J. would initiate, and Sam, among others, would follow, whether it be extra work or extra running," said Shell Dula, who coached both of them at Greenwood High School. "Sam is very open; Sam is very easy to talk to. Sam is a fine young man and a very sincere young man. Sam's just trying to learn. He wants to feel comfortable in his situation. He wants to feel comfortable in his surroundings. He will go out and ask for advice and ask for help and follow the leadership."

Another rookie: TE Griffin trying to stick with Texans

Now trying to work his way into a big role on the Texans' defense, Montgomery seeks the guidance of the veterans around him, especially one with whom he feels a special kinship. The outside linebacker speaks of his alter ego, Sonic the Hedgehog, so naturally he felt drawn to defensive end Antonio Smith, who calls himself the ninja warrior.

Beyond the goofiness, though, is a tinge of sadness - Sonic the Hedgehog was a game he played with his older brother, who died five years ago - a show of solidarity and an eagerness to improve.

"Just need to take time to adjust your body," Montgomery said. "I told coaches when they drafted me I'd do everything they asked me to do."

A possible bargain

At one point in the pre-draft process, Montgomery was considered a first-round pick. The Texans took him in the third round.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay had him as the 19th and 14th overall selection, respectively. Kiper called him "a proven, high-motor defender with pass-rushing skills."

But as the draft process progressed and teams spent time with him, Montgomery dropped in the mocks. He fell to 25th in McShay's second mock and then completely out by his third. Kiper dropped Montgomery out of the first round after his first mock draft.

It was only one team's opinion, but the Dallas Cowboys' draft board, reconstructed by a local blog, did not have Montgomery on it at all.

At the NFL scouting combine, Montgomery raised some eyebrows by saying there were times effort wasn't needed in college. Texans linebackers coach Reggie Herring attributed the statements to a player who is too honest at times.

"They've got quite a bargain for a third-round draft choice," Dula said. "He's going to tell how he thinks, and sometimes maybe a little feeling of insecurity leads him to maybe being a little bit funny. But sometimes it's just a little bit of insecurity coming out.

"That's what we saw more of when he was in high school at times. Very sincere, very honest, and probably could have hurt himself with some things that he thought he was just being honest with."

Even in those comments, Montgomery noted that he knew the effort necessary in the NFL was of another caliber.

Smith has helped him understand that. Even though Smith doesn't play his position, Montgomery values his advice.

"He keeps on teaching me everything," Montgomery said. "Being aggressive, doing different things, improving my game from small tech points, encouraging words, coming out here ready to fight and going 110 percent every day. Hand techniques, finishing blocks. Also playing with aggressive and violent hands.

"It's a different type of aggressive in the NFL. It's like an abusive aggressive on the field. He's teaching me what I need in detail and trying to critique my violence to be abusive."

Adjusting on the fly

Montgomery is combining that adjustment with a better understanding of what his body needs now.

During rookie minicamp, Montgomery's back tightened during the first practice when the Texans worked inside their practice bubble on artificial turf.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak attributed the injury to the turf. Some wondered if Montgomery was out of shape.

Montgomery said the real issue was the change in position. At LSU, he played defensive end, starting with his hand on the ground.

"When you're not loose in the hips, it mostly goes to your back," Montgomery said. "I had to loosen up my hips and work in the training room to get my hips loose and my lower body loose so I can move and be mobile and take that pressure off my back.

"New position, getting used to everything. So now I stretch every day so I don't have that problem."

And crossing each hurdle takes Montgomery closer to his goals.