McKinney thrives as starter

Linebacker is tied for sixth in NFL with 101 tackles.

Benardrick Mc- Kinney is often overshadowed on a Houston defense filled with first-round picks.

But this season it’s been hard to ignore the work of the linebacker, who is tied for sixth in the NFL with 101 tackles, helping the defense remain the strongest part of the team despite the loss of J.J. Watt.

McKinney is in his second year in Houston after being drafted from Mississippi State in the second round. He had a solid rookie season, appear- ing in 14 games with 11 starts and finishing with 63 tackles.

This year he moved into a full-time role as starter and has thrived. He has four games with 10 or more tack- les, including a career-high 16 against New England in Week 3. He also has four sacks and is the only player in the NFL this year — and just the third player in fran- chise history — with at least 100 tackles and four sacks in a season.

“He started last year grow- ing and developing toward the last part of the season,” defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said. “He under- stood the defense. He under- stood how he has to play the game and puts himself in good position. He gets around the ball quite a bit.”

McKinney, who had 12 tackles Sunday against San Diego, believes his improve- ment this season is simply a product of being more com- fortable.

“Last year I was too worried about messing up and stuff . ... It comes easy now,” he said. “When you under- stand the defense, you don’t have to think a lot, just go out there and play.”

That understanding has been helped by his relation- ship with linebackers coach Mike Vrabel, who had a distinguished 14-year NFL career and won three Super Bowls with the Patriots.

“Coach Vrabel does an unbelievable job of just putting me in a great position to make plays,” McKinney said. “I’m just trying to help the defense out, force three-andouts, get the defense lined up, play my style of football and just try to help us win games.” year be on misdemeanor assault for email make