McKinney defense’s ‘heartbeat’
Benardrick McKinney barks out the defensive call, relaying the message from Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel through the radio system in his helmet.
As the Texans’ middle linebacker, McKinney is designated with the green dot sticker on his helmet that denotes his status as the primary signal caller on the defense.
McKinney is the equivalent of a quarterback on defense, relaying strategies and carrying them out on the field.
Instinctive, tough and mobile, McKinney is trusted to run the Texans’ defense in tandem with the coaching staff. It’s a responsibility not doled out casually.
“We ask a lot of things of him,” linebackers coach Bobby King said. “He’s the quarterback, the heartbeat of our defense. When he starts hitting people to start a game off, it’s contagious.
“When he’s got energy, it’s contagious, and he’s on pace to do things like he did last year as a far as what everybody recognizes from him. He’s been a good football player for a long time, and finally the world caught up to all that.”
A former second-round draft pick from Mississippi State, McKinney’s size and athleticism are rare. At the NFL scouting combine five years ago, McKinney ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds. He posted a 40½ inch vertical leap.
At 6-5 and 257 pounds, McKinney is a bit unique in terms of size and height for the position.
“It is kind of rare,” King said. “I see it every day. He’s a big dude.”
Working in tandem with inside linebacker Zach Cunningham, McKinney has recorded 60 tackles, a halfsack, four tackles for losses, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He ranks second on the team in tackles behind Cunnnigham, who has 68 tackles, 6½ for losses and two fumble recoveries.
The value of the two fellow former second-round draft picks increases every year.
“I mean, you can’t underestimate that,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “Both of those guys, Benardrick McKinney and Zach Cunningham, are playing at a very high level, and the thing about Benardrick is he brings a level of physicality to our defense. He’s big, he can run, he’s got great instincts, good tackler, tough guy and an even better guy, great guy in the locker room.
“And Zach does a lot of different things for us. Very athletic, made a great player on the punt team, a tackle he made on punt team and then all of the plays he made on defense, including a takeaway. Both of guys are very important to the defense.”
The Texans haven’t yielded a 100-yard rusher since the first game of last season and held powerful Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette to 40 yards last Sunday in London.
For McKinney, his rise from his college days to becoming a defensive captain on one of the stoutest run defenses in the NFL is something that he reflects on occasionally.
“I sometimes just sit down when I’m chilling at the crib and be like, ‘Dang, five years,’ ” McKinney said. “Because I just remember leaving college, having to go through training, the combine, that was a long process. Man, that had to have been the hardest part of my life.”
In the prime of his career, the 26-year-old recorded 105 tackles, 1½ sacks, one interception and one forced fumble last season. He was recognized by his peers, coaches and fans with his first Pro Bowl selection.
Now, McKinney is trying to repeat that feat for the AFC South leaders.
“I worked my butt off every day, took the coaching, and just to be a Pro Bowler, it means a lot to me,” McKinney said. “I just want to step it up a notch and continue to try to be the best player I can be, and maybe one day be one of the best linebackers in the league.”