HOUSTON -- Benardrick McKinney is often overshadowed on a Houston defense filled with first-round picks.But this season its been hard to ignore the work of the linebacker, who leads the team and 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 the Texans drafted him from Mississippi State in the second round. He had a solid rookie season, appearing 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 tackles, including a career-high 16 against New England in Week 3. He also has four sacks to be the only player in the NFL this year -- and just the third player in franchise history -- with at least 100 tackles and four sacks in a season.He started last year growing and developing toward the last part of the season, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said. He understood the defense. He understood 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 last week against San Diego, believes his improvement this season is simply a product of him being more comfortable.Last year I was too worried about messing up and stuff ... it comes easy now, he said. When you understand the defense you dont have to think a lot, just go out there and play.That understanding has been helped by his relationship with linebackers coach Mike Vrabel, who had a distinguished 14-year NFL career and won three Super Bowls with the Patriots. McKinney raves about Vrabel and brings him up constantly when asked about his work this season.Coach Vrabel does an unbelievable job of just putting me in a great position to make plays, McKinney said. Im just trying to help the defense out, force three-and-outs, get the defense lined up, play my style of football and just try to help us win games.Vrabel thinks McKinneys health this season is another reason for his success after he struggled through a knee injury and a concussion early last year that set him back a bit.When he came back, he started to really get comfortable playing in there, Vrabel said. We played well down the stretch defensively, and then he had a good offseason ... hes practicing. Hes seeing every rep and hes taking the coaching. Hes done a really good job for us.McKinney, a star quarterback and basketball player in high school, is also valuable to the Texans because of his size (6-foot-4, 260 pounds) and ability to help in the secondary.He has some coverage skill and that helps as well, Crennel said. We like big guys that can move and have some speed and some length, so he falls into that category.McKinney doesnt enjoy talking about himself, but did admit he isnt surprised by his success this season. That doesnt mean he isnt trying to improve.I know what I can do. I know I can be better, he said. Theres a lot of things I can correct on the field. Just taking the coaching, watching film, flying around and playing with energy, thats my style of play, playing with energy, and its helped me out a lot.McKinney and the Texans will try to snap a two-game skid when they travel to Green Bay on Sunday . The Texans remain atop the AFC South despite their recent losing, but know they need to get back on track quickly with Tennessee just one-half game back.If everybody just stays focused (and) does their job, we should be where we want to be at the end of the season, McKinney said.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL. Nike Air Max Halvalla . Bjorn, who had a 36-hole total of 8-under 134, made a testing six-foot putt to save par on the 16th and a birdie on the 17th before bogeying the final hole after a misjudged approach shot. American Kevin Streelman was in second place after shooting a 69. Nike Air Max Suomi . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. http://www.suomiairmax.com/ . P.A. 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Jamie Whincups closest Supercars rivals are taking vastly different approaches to reeling in the series leader at this weekends Sandown 500.Red Bull team-mate Shane Van Gisbergen is a picture of intensity and action together with French co-driver Alex Premat.But in the garage next door, theres a decidedly laid-back feel that two veterans hope will bear fruit.Steven Richards, 44, and Craig Lowndes, 42, have paired up in car No.888 and are taking a different path towards bridging the 198-point gap to Whincup.Richards, a four-time Bathurst 1000 winner including last year with Lowndes, said the mood was more mellow in the Team VortexWe debrief with all the Red Bull guys and weve got our own shed and talk more, he said.Its a little bit nicer than in the past (at Red Bull). Craig and I are pretty easy-going guys.Jamie and Shane are quite intense characters but (Craig and I) well go and have a cup of tea and cruise along.And its so far, so good for the New Zealander.Richards was quickest and second-quickest in two practice sessions for co-drivers on Friday.The car feels great, really good, he said.Nice and consistent, easy to drive and thats what we need.We need to be abble to tick the box lap after lap after lap and not make too many errors.ddddddddddddIn the No.97 Commodore, van Gisbergen is more focussed on the high stakes.After emerging through the seasons opening races as Whincups closest rival, the 27-year-old knows how important the endurance series is.If you break the year into three parts, the first part of the season was pretty good and this part really makes or breaks the championship, he said.Weve got three big weekends up for grabs. Well push for three good results and well be happy.Premat, who has competed both full-time and as a co-driver for Volvo in the Supercars tour before, said the vital signs were good at Triple Eight.Its pretty amazing what they do, he said.Everything is going right in the three weeks Ive been here.DJR Team Penske driver Fabian Coulthard was quickest in Fridays only practice session for full-time drivers ahead of Chaz Mostert and van Gisbergen.Tony DAlberto, in a DJR Team Penske Falcon of Scott Pye, topped the timing sheets in Fridays late session for co-drivers. 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