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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. Kole Calhoun Jersey .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend. Brian Goodwin Angels Jersey .ca. Hey Kerry, big fan of yours, just finished reading your book. I think that we all saw the Canucks/Flames line brawl just after puck drop. It was obvious that something was about to happen, even to the referees because the fourth lines were on to start. http://www.baseballangelslockroom.com/cj-wilson-angels-jersey/ . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. Rod Carew Angels Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Rod Carew Jersey . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. TAMPA, Fla. -- Canyon Barry had 17 points and KeVaughn Allen added 14 as Florida beat Belmont 78-61 on Monday night.After the Gators saw a 20-point first-half lead cut to nine early in the second, Barry had three baskets and hit a pair of free throws during a 16-0 run that put Florida ahead 59-34 with 12 minutes to play.Florida (4-0) also got 12 points from John Egbunu, while Devin Robinson chipped in with 11.Evan Bradds scored 17 points for Belmont (1-2), which went 3 for 11 in the ffirst half and 7 for 27 overall from 3-point range.dddddddddddd The Bruins had made 25 of 75 from beyond the arc in their first two games.Florida scored the first 15 points and took a 38-26 halftime lead. The Gators held Belmont without a 3 for the initial 12 minutes but the Bruins hit three from long range to close out the half and cut into a 24-4 deficit. ' ' '