Kevin Barry won't play for the Green Bay Packers this season, but it might feel that way.

Barry, the former Park High School standout whom the Packers released in May, signed a contract with the Houston Texans Friday morning. Russell Wittman, Barry's agent, said his client signed a one-year deal. Wittman wouldn't disclose the amount of the contract.

"Kevin's elated and I'm elated," Wittman said. "It's good to see Kevin in camp on time. That's very important. And the other positive thing is that Houston's offense is similar to the one they had in Green Bay. He should be able to pick it up fairly quick."

Houston's offense resembles Green Bay's because of the Texans assistant coach and offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, the former Packers head coach. Sherman used Barry as a blocking tight end in Green Bay's "U-71" offensive package, a formation named after Barry's uniform number with the Packers.

Wittman said Sherman played a pivotal role in Barry signing with the Texans. Barry had also been pursued by the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers.

"Obviously, Mike Sherman was really, really instrumental in Kevin choosing to go with Houston," Wittman said. "He spent two different days in Houston, probably 45 minutes to a hour each, talking to coach Sherman.

"And he went to dinner with their offensive line coach (John Benton) and assistant line coach (Frank Pollack) one night. They rolled out the red carpet for Kevin."

The 6-foot-4 Barry played five seasons with the Packers. He played in 59 games and was a key member of the Packers' offensive line which, under Sherman, was one of the best in the NFL. Barry's status with the Packers became uncertain when Sherman was fired after the 2005 season and replaced by Mike McCarthy, who installed a new zone-blocking scheme.

Barry then suffered a ruptured left thigh tendon in training camp last May and sat out all of last season. Wittman said Barry is completely healthy now.

"He's fully recovered," Wittman said. "Every team physician we met with in Carolina, Cleveland and Houston checked him out and we had two of our own private physicians look at him. He's completely healed. There is no injury anymore."

Wittman said he was contacted by several teams about Barry's services, but in the end, the decision came down to Houston and Cleveland. Wittman and Barry were in Cleveland Thursday meeting with Browns officials.

Wittman said Barry liked the idea of being reunited with Sherman. Three other former Packers teammates are starters for the Texans - halfback Ahman Green, fullback Vonta Leach and center Mike Flanagan.

Rejoining his ex-teammates was just part of the equation for Barry in signing with the Texans. Barry also has a legitimate shot of getting significant playing time. Barry is projected to play tackle, a position of concern for the Texans. Their starting left tackle is veteran journeyman Ephraim Salaam and their starting right tackle is second-year pro Eric Winston, who started just last seven games last season. The team also lacks depth at the tackle position.

"Kevin could play guard, but they're talking about using him at either left or right tackle," Wittman said. "They definitely need help at either of the tackle spots. I think that's good for Kevin because I think he's more of a natural tackle than guard."

Wittman said Barry was at his offseason home in Phoenix, Ariz., Friday morning but planned to catch a flight to Houston today. Wittman said his client is psyched up about the opportunity to showcase his talents again, especially after missing last season.

"He's really excited," Wittman said. "This was Kevin's decision. Kevin spent time thinking about it and felt Houston was the best place for him."