Texans show their depth at linebacker against Chiefs.
Backups display depth at position in win over Chiefs
The punishing tackles didn’t stop.
The harassment of quarterbacks was unabated.
And the disruption of passing lanes, enough to cause an interception, kept going.
The Texans’ 17-10 preseason victory Thursday over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium was a testament to the collective depth and ability of arguably one of the deepest linebacker corps in the NFL.
And this was obvious even with several backups being pressed into starting duty.
Pro Bowl outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney was a bystander on the sideline, held out after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery during the offseason.
Pro Bowl alternate outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus was back in Texas, rehabbing a relatively minor soft-tissue injury.
Starter’s mentality
And $51 million middle linebacker Benardrick McKinney didn’t play as a precautionary measure. The most exercise that McKinney and Clowney got in Thursday night was during an extensive running session in the Kansas City heat a few hours before kickoff.
“What we preach is if you’re on the field, you’re a starter,” said outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett, who’s been working with the first-team defense while Clowney is out. “We want to get to the point where we’re all elite, and that’s what we’re trying for.
“We feel good about the guys that we have, explosive with good cohesiveness. With this group, we’ve got a good situation.”
The Texans have built some enviable skill and depth to populate a key position in defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 scheme.
To use a 3-4 as their primary alignment, the Texans need several good linebackers to make it work.
Clowney is one of the most disruptive run-stoppers and pass rushers in the game.
Mercilus is an excellent allaround linebacker known for his diverse repertoire of passrushing move. He has made a full recovery from a torn pectoral suffered last season.
At 6-4 and 255 pounds, McKinney represents the prototype for a modern inside linebacker with his superior size, speed and instincts.
“Really great group of guys, different skillsets,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “You have a guy like B-Mac who’s just a big, tall, athletic guy, tough guy. Then you’ve got a guy like Dylan Cole who’s going to help us on special teams, good cover linebacker. You have Zach Cunningham, who really had a good rookie year, athletic guy, good on special teams.
“Very competitive position. Whitney Mercilus has come back in great shape and he’s a hell of a football player. So, we’re competitive at that position. Brennan Scarlett is another guy that’s really playing well for us right now, so there’s a lot of competition there.”
Against the Chiefs, Cole started at inside linebacker and tipped a Chad Henne pass that was intercepted by Cunningham.
Cole made the Texans as an undrafted free agent and shined as a rookie before injuring his hamstring. Compact, fast and aggressive, Cole would be a starter on several rosters that have less talent than the Texans’ defense.
“We’ve got a lot of starters in our linebacking corps,” Cole said. “A lot of our guys could start in other places. That’s a good thing, to have a lot of depth and a lot of talent. I’m excited about what we have going into this season.”
Aiming for bigger year
Cunningham is primed for an even bigger season after bulking up to 240 pounds after reporting at 229 pounds as a rookie. The former second-round draft pick from Vanderbilt finished second on the team in tackles behind McKinney last season, recording 90, and also had 1½ sacks, five tackles for losses, two quarterback hits, six passes defender and one forced fumble.
As part of a deep, gifted group, Cunningham has set high individual and collective goals.
“We have that mindset that we are a great defense and we are the greatest defense,” Cunningham said. “I think we have a mental edge and the camaraderie we have. We definitely have a lot of depth and good solid guys.
“I feel like we have some good players out there and some solid backups. Specifically, I’m really just trying to improve my game and do the best I can do and improve my level of play.”
Against the Chiefs, rookie outside linebacker Duke Ejiofor made his first NFL start.
The former Alief Taylor standout didn’t disappoint, leading the Texans with three quarterback hits as he nearly sacked Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Reserve linebacker Kennan Gilchrist led the Texans with nine tackles.
Inside linebacker Josh Keyes delivered a punishing tackle on Chiefs running back Kerwynn Williams.
Cole had three tackles and two pass deflections.
And Cunningham had one quarterback hit to go with his interception.
“I thought Dylan Cole, Zach Cunningham, those guys were active, really trying to make plays all around the field, on special teams also,” O’Brien said. “Then we put Brian in there, Brian Peters. He did some nice things, and then Josh Keyes and Gilchrist were in there.
“So, everybody got a shot to play there with the exception of B-Mac. I thought those guys did some nice things. There’s always things to improve on, but it was a solid outing by that group.”