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. Discount Jerseys .J. Ellis hit two-run homers and the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0 Saturday night. Wholesale Authentic Jerseys .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans. http://www.jerseyscheapauthentic.com/ . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. Jerseys NFL Wholesale .Y. -- Syracuse has turned up the defence at the right time all season, and when High Point threatened to pull off a monumental upset the second-ranked Orange did what they do best with their quick hands and savvy play. Cheap Jerseys . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. MEXICO CITY -- Carlota Ciganda rallied to win the Citibanamex Lorena Ochoa Invitational on Sunday for her second LPGA Tour victory in four starts.The 26-year-old Spaniard shot a 4-under 68 at Club de Golf Mexico for a two-stroke victory over six players. She played the four par-5 holes in 5 under, making an eagle on No. 2 and birdies on 6, 11 and 17.Ciganda won the LPGA KEB-Hana Bank Championship a month ago in South Korea for her first tour title. The former Arizona State player has five straight top-10 finishes.I am very happy to be here and to get my second victory, Ciganda said. Its wonderful to play here in Mexico. I honestly dont have any words. I love the golf course, the people, its an honor to be here. Ive been playing really good all year long and to end this year with these two victories gives me a lot of confidence, I am very happy.Ciganda won a year after finishing second Inbee Park on the tree-lined course.Last year, I was close, Ciganda said. It was a shame not being able to win but it was still a good last day, so I had really good memories. Last week, I was back home just resting because I wanted to play here and to do so well, so I am really happy and thrilled that I was able to win.Her parents watched her win after missing her victory in South Korea.I am just very happy that they are both here and it is very special because they are great people, Ciganda said. They always tell me to have fun, they always give me a lot of calm, so I wantt to thank them.ddddddddddddThird-round leader Austin Ernst had a 71 to drop into a tie for second with Angela Stanford (69), Jodi Ewart Shadoff (67), Karine Icher (69) and Sarah Jane Smith (70).Right now, disappointed. I just didnt play well enough today to get it done, Ernst said. Carlota played really good, especially early. I am just kind of frustrated with how I finished.Stanford won the 2008 event in Guadalajara.It was a good day, Stanford said. Its hard to shoot 3 under on Sunday and be upset, but I had two three-putts. The one on 11 would probably haunt me for a while, but I hit the ball really well and gave myself a lot of chances and I was never in a really bad spot, so to be in contention and have a day like that is pretty encouraging.Mexican amateur Maria Fassi closed with a 73 to tie for 15th at 5 under. Shes a freshman at the University of Arkansas. Gaby Lopez also was 5 under after a 73 on her home course.Canadas Brooke Henderson, the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 7, was 20th at 4 under after a 71. Michelle Wie (72) was 24th at 1 under after a 72. The 2009 winner in Guadalajara, she played on a sponsor invite after failing to qualify for the 30-player event.Tournament host Ochoa won 27 LPGA Tour titles. The Mexican star retired in 2010. She will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame next year. ' ' '