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HOUSTON -- By the time D.J. Reader was 10 years old, he already had the body type he has today. And, he realized that if he kept playing football, his place would be on the defensive line.It was then that Reader discovered a rookie nose tackle playing for the New England Patriots: Vince Wilfork .Reader was drafted by the Houston Texans 12 years later and was thrilled at the opportunity to learn from the man who he began watching all those years ago.He was the best nose tackle in the league, Reader said. I was kind of chunky when I was a kid, so I knew I was going to be playing the D-line somewhere, so I just watched the best. Watched him all the time.Wilfork, now 35 and in his 13th NFL season, shook his head and laughed when told that Reader had been a fan of his since he was a child. The veteran said Reader never acted star-struck around him despite looking up to him for years before the pair met.No, he hasnt. He kept that to himself, Wilfork said. (Man) that makes me sound old ... (but) its a mutual respect. Its good to feel like that. Its even better to give knowledge to the younger players, especially somebody thats in my position that I can actually really mentor because Ive played it. Ive done it.This season, Reader has blossomed under the tutelage of Wilfork and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. His natural talent was clear when the Texans selected him in the fifth round of this years draft after a career at Clemson where he played in 46 games and had 145 career tackles. But it was also evident that the 6-foot-3, 335-pound Reader had a lot to learn when he first arrived in Houston.These young guys when they come in, they dont understand how the game is played or how to play the game, Crennel said. I think over this season, hes learned his abilities and how he can use his abilities in the game. I think hes playing better as a result of it. Hes understanding the fits, what he can get done, when to come off the block and those kind of things. Hes better as a result of it.After studying Wilfork for so long from afar, Reader wanted to make sure to take advantage of the chance to work with him.The two became close quickly and spend hours together, not only at the stadium, but also in their free time.Its the best. Its like having an older brother who just knows everything, Reader said. He knows whats coming. When Im out there on the field with him its just so much fun because he loves the game and is passionate about it. I like being with him. Hes a great mentor, a family man so a lot of good examples come out of him.Reader had been learning from Wilfork all season and had started seeing steady playing time when Wilfork was injured and forced to sit out in a game against the Jaguars on Nov. 13. It was then that Reader started in Wilforks place. But instead of being nervous, Reader was determined to show his mentor that all his teaching had paid off.I was trying to do my best to step in and make him proud and do my job, Reader said.And when Reader got his first career sack by taking down Blake Bortles for an 8-yard loss in the third quarter, he couldnt have been happier about what happened next.Vince was there, first one to congratulate me when I got my first sack, Reader said beaming.While the Texans are impressed with how far Reader has come since they drafted him, everyone is eager to see how much better he can get if he keeps working as hard as he has so far.I want him to understand how good he can be because he can be a great football player and I think he will because he has the right mindset and he understands things and how things work, Wilfork said. Hes a great professional, a great teammate. Anything the coaches ask of him, he doesnt hesitate.Hes always trying to help the team, so I think he will be a good one in this league.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Sneakers Nz Sale . Robinson finished with 17 points, all but two in the second half, and Lawson had 14 after halftime and finished with a game-high 11 assists as the Nuggets handed Dallas its first home loss in eight games this season. J.J. Hickson led Denver with 22, and Kenneth Faried added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Womens Sneakers Nz . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. http://www.cheapsneakersnz.com/ . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. Wholesale Sneakers Nz . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days. Sneakers Nz Online . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. Still to taste defeat in an Australia jersey, Darius Boyd is desperate to preserve that record against Wayne Bennetts England next week.In 20 appearances in the green and gold, Boyd is yet to finish on the losing side and wants to ensure facing a Bennett-coached team will be the only first hell experience at the London Olympic Stadium next Sunday.Boyd, 29, has an incredibly close relationship with the seven-time premiership winner - the only man to mentor him at club level - and followed him from Brisbane, to St George Illawarra to Newcastle before reuniting with him again at the Broncos in 2014.Ive had different rep coaches, but Ive never played against Wayne before, Boyd said.Hes coached me my whole career so it will be something a bit different.But at the end of the day, you play against the players not the coach but Im sure hell have a few tricks up his sleeve.Bennetts side need to beat Australia to have any chance of qualifying for the final with the Kangaroos needing to also avoid defeat to mathematically secure their spot in the decidder at Anfield on November 20.ddddddddddddMal Meninga will name what he considers his strongest side for the game and Boyd said having Bennett in their corner will give the hosts the belief they can spring an upset.Hell be telling them what he always tells his sides: Complete your sets, defend well and hold them in the grind, he said.If you can keep a team down to a low score you can always sneak a try and come home with the win.England are a dangerous side already with big forwards and a lot of strike power out wide.With Wayne there it adds something extra. But its going to take time, it wont happen overnight.The more time they spend under Wayne the better they will be.Boyd played down the significance of his remarkable unbeaten record which stems back to his debut in 2008.Ive been very lucky, Ive missed a few games over the years through injury, he said.But hopefully it can continue for at least two more games. ' ' '