Tag: Christian Kirksey

LB Christian Kirksey reveals the most fun aspect of being with the Texans

Free agent linebacker Christian Kirksey talked about what the most enjoyable part of joining the Houston Texans has been thus far.

Christian Kirksey is on his third team in as many seasons, but the 28-year-old has already identified the most fun part about joining the Houston Texans.

The former Cleveland Browns 2014 third-round pick from Iowa signed a one-year, $3 million contract to play for the Texans in 2021 after spending one year with the Green Bay Packers. Kirksey is already enjoying himself with the AFC South club.

“Man, just talking with the guys, just being back in the groove,” Kirksey told reporters on a Zoom call on May 27. “Obviously, you enjoy the offseason, you enjoy the time with your family, but then when you’re getting back on the field and joking around with your boys in the locker room, meeting new faces — there’s nothing better than that.”

Kirksey is part of a revamping among the linebacking corps as the defense transitions from a 3-4 scheme to a Tampa-2 scheme with a 4-3 front. The concept of inside linebackers in the 3-4, such as Zach Cunningham, are expanding outward among the linebacking unit, while the outside linebackers in the 3-4 scheme, such as Jacob Martin and Whitney Mercilus, are becoming down linemen firing off from a three-point stance.

The 29-year-old has the ability to complement Cunningham, and was adept with the Packers in 2020, providing 77 combined tackles, 2.0 sacks, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, two interceptions, and four pass breakups in 11 games, all of which he started.

Starting a new chapter with the Texans, Kirksey is focused on forging chemistry with his new teammates and getting on the same page as they work through organized team activities.

Said Kirksey: “Right now we’re working out, we’re trying to learn this playbook. Everybody is new, so I enjoy meeting new guys and kind of hearing their story, where they’re from, how did they get to where they are now and things like that. We’re all competing and we’re all just trying to be the best Texans we can be. That’s the fun part in it, when everybody’s trying to push each other to go somewhere and we all come from different places and we’re all trying to get to one goal. I think that’s the most fun part for me, is just to be back around the guys.”

The Texans also have Cunningham, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Nate Hall, Neville Hewitt, Hardy Nickerson, Kevin Pierre-Louis, fifth-round rookie Garret Wallow, Joe Thomas, and Tae Davis among the linebacking corps.

Christian Kirksey can play any of the LB positions in Texans’ new defense

Houston Texans linebacker Christian Kirksey says that he is able to play any of the three linebacker spots in the new 4-3 defense.

The Houston Texans signed former 2014 Cleveland Browns third-round pick Christian Kirksey to play one of the three linebacker spots in the team’s new Tampa-2 defense with a 4-3 front.

According to the 28-year-old from Iowa, Kirksey can play any one of the three linebacker positions in the 4-3.

“In the 4-3 defense, especially how [defensive coordinator] Lovie Smith runs it, I can play any one of the positions,” Kirksey told Houston media via a Zoom call on March 30. “That’s how versatile his defense is with these linebackers and then if you just look down the line of the linebackers that he has playing next to each other, it’s pretty much interchangeable.”

Kirksey played inside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers in his lone season with the NFC North club in 2020. The 6-2, 235-pounder provided 77 combined tackles, 2.0 sacks, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, two interceptions, and four pass breakups in 11 games, all of which he started.

“I’m not going to go into depth of exactly where I’m going to play, but I know I can play all positions at that linebacker spot,” said Kirksey. “I’m excited. I think the defense fits me well, my style of play. I think that his scheme is linebacker-friendly to where it allows you to really open up and be the player that you are.”

When Smith was the coach of the Chicago Bears from 2004-12, two All-Pro linebackers played for him in Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. In 2005, both Urlacher and Briggs earned spots on the All-Pro first team.

The track record for putting linebackers in positions to play their best is there with Smith. It is up to Kirksey, along with the rest of the defense, to execute.

“I’m excited to play with him and I think it’s going to be a good year for me,” Kirksey said.

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Texans LB Christian Kirksey can attest to QB Tyrod Taylor’s leadership

Houston Texans linebacker Christian Kirksey got to see quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s leadership before when they were with the 2018 Cleveland Browns.

The 2018 Cleveland Browns were entering their third season under coach Hue Jackson and were looking for more than the one win they posted over the past 32 games combined.

Taking over for the Browns was Pro Bowl quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who the Buffalo Bills didn’t want any longer due to their drafting of Josh Allen. With Taylor’s new team, they had also drafted a quarterback No. 1 overall in Baker Mayfield.

Instead of looking over his shoulder at Mayfield, new Houston Texans linebacker Christian Kirksey, who was with the Browns in 2018, says that Taylor displayed tremendous work ethic.

“Just his work ethic and the way he carries himself is well-needed in the locker room,” Kirksey told the Houston media over a Zoom call March 30. “He’s a guy that lets his work speak for itself. He’s not going to be a rah-rah guy or he’s not going to step outside of who he is. That’s something that you need in the locker room, that veteran presence and that guy that can be a leader who not only talks about it, but he shows you through how he goes about his day-to-day business, how he goes to work every day and leads by example.”

Taylor went 42-of-85 for 473 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions during his three starts for the Browns in 2018, compiling a 1-1-1 record.

Kirksey also left Cleveland following the 2019 season, playing with the Green Bay Packers in 2020. Nonetheless, Kirksey is ready to play with Taylor again in Houston.

“I’m excited to work with Tyrod again,” said Kirksey. “As soon as I saw he was coming to Houston and I was coming to Houston as well, I immediately hit him up and just told him I’m excited to be back with him and get this thing rolling.”

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Grading the Texans’ 2021 NFL free agency signings

The Houston Texans made a bevy of moves in free agency. Here is a grade for each acquisition.

The Houston Texans were very active in free agency, making a series of signings to bolster their roster, which is also seeing a transition from the 3-4 defense to the Tampa-2 scheme with a 4-3 front.

In keeping with general manager Nick Caserio’s theme of “hitting singles and doubles” in free agency, the signings will be graded accordingly with the same baseball theme.

Houston Texans 2021 free agency tracker: Everything we know

The Houston Texans are making a flurry of moves in 2021 NFL free agency. Keep up with all of the moves with this handy tracker.

The Houston Texans were very active in free agency. Although they did not have much cap space to work with, the evidence points to general manager Nick Caserio going with solid, dependable veterans to bolster the depth of the roster.

Here is a list of the Texans’ free agency moves.

Report: Texans agree to 1-year contract with LB Christian Kirksey

The Houston Texans have agreed to a one-year deal with former Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers linebacker Christian Kirksey.

The Houston Texans continue to add to their defense as they transition to the Tampa-2 scheme.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Texans reached an agreement with former Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers linebacker Christian Kirksey on a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million.

In 2020, Kirksey produced 77 combined tackles, 2.0 sacks, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and four pass breakups in 11 games for Green Bay, all of which he started.

Kirksey originally was drafted in Round 3 of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. The former Iowa Hawkeye collected 484 combined tackles, 11.5 sacks, two interceptions, 16 pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries through 73 games, 54 of which he started.

The Texans have Zach Cunningham and Benardrick McKinney still under contract. Inside linebacker Tyrell Adams, who was McKinney’s replacement after he was placed on injured reserve early in the season, is a free agent.

Texans sign former Packers LB Christian Kirksey to 1-year deal

The former Packers LB Christian Kirksey signed a 1-year deal with the Texans, roughly a month after being released by the Packers.

Former Green Bay Packers linebacker Christian Kirksey has a new team.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Houston Texans signed Kirksey to a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million.

The Packers released Kirksey last month. The veteran linebacker lasted just one year into the two-year deal he signed with the Packers last March.

Kirksey, 28, appeared in 11 games last season. He tallied 73 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. He missed five games early in the season with a pectoral injury and was released on Feb. 19 with a failed physical designation.

Among the 99 inside linebackers who played at least 20 percent of their team’s snaps in 2020, Kirksey ranked 85th in overall grade at Pro Football Focus.

The Packers are not scheduled to play the Texans next season.

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Packers release LB Christian Kirksey, OT Rick Wagner

The Packers cut two veteran players to help the team dig out of a salary cap hole.

The two veteran players signed to start free agency last March ended up being cap casualties for the Green Bay Packers nearly a year later.

The team announced the release of linebacker Christian Kirksey and offensive tackle Rick Wagner on Friday.

The moves are part of the Packers’ effort to get below the projected salary cap before the start of the new league year next month.

Both Kirksey and Wagner signed two-year deals with the Packers after being released by their respective teams last year. Both will depart Green Bay after just one season.

Kirksey played in 11 regular season games for the Packers in 2020, tallying 77 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and four pass breakups. Among the 99 inside linebackers who played at least 20 percent of their team’s snaps in 2020, Kirksey ranked 85th in overall grade at Pro Football Focus.

Wagner played in all 16 games for the Packers, making nine starts. He played over 600 total snaps, allowing only 16 pressures without committing a penalty, per PFF. He was the site’s 24th ranked offensive tackle overall.

Releasing the pair saves the Packers $9,859,375 on the salary cap in 2021, with a dead cap hit of $3,750,000.

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4 keys to an upset Panthers win vs. Packers on Saturday night

Here are four keys to the game that could help them get there.

The Carolina Panthers will face one of the NFL’s top teams tonight when they visit the Green Bay Packers, who currently have the best record in the conference. An upset seems like a long shot, but it’s not impossible.

Here are four keys to the game that could help them get there.

Offense: No turnovers, target Christian Kirksey

Avoiding turnovers is important in every matchup. However, when you’re facing a far superior opponent like this one, maximizing every possession becomes critical. Teddy Bridgewater needs to be more aggressive but he also has to make smart decisions and avoid throwing interceptions, of which he has eight so far this season. A single mistake could cost Carolina the game.

There’s not many weak points in this Green Bay defense, but there’s a glaring one right in the middle. Linebacker Christian Kirksey will be the most vulnerable defender on the field. In eight games this year, Kirksey has allowed six touchdowns and a 121.4 passer rating in coverage. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s gameplan should be putting Kirksey into conflict as often as possible.

Defense: Pressure Aaron Rodgers, double Davante Adams

At 37 years old, Aaron Rodgers is having another MVP-worthy season. He’s only had one bad game so far this year, which came Week 6 against the Buccaneers. As you might expect, Tampa’s ability to get to No. 12 was a key factor in their 38-10 blowout win. Rodgers was sacked four times and hit 13 times in that matchup. Carolina’s pass rush is not as potent, but any pressure they can get will be important for disrupting his rhythm.

Speaking of rhythm, Rodgers has been lighting it up with his No. 1 wide receiver Davante Adams this season. Adams leads the NFL in touchdown catches and receiving yards per game. If Rodgers and Adams start clicking and get their backyard football routine going, the Panthers won’t stand a chance. Carolina doesn’t have any corners who can cover Adams one-on-one, so defensive coordinator Phil Snow needs to consider sending safety help over the top every time Adams runs a route.

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Chicago vs. Green Bay: Which Packers player would you want on the Bears?

The Packers have no shortage of talent that they’ll be leaning on in Sunday’s matchup against the Bears.

The Chicago Bears will face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, and there isn’t a lot going the Bears’ way. Not only has Chicago lost four straight games, but they’re facing a team in Green Bay that has had their number for the better part of three decades.

The Bears are coming off a much-needed bye week, where Matt Nagy and his team had time to step back a little in the middle of a four-game losing streak. The big question for the Bears comes at quarterback, where it sounds like Mitchell Trubisky will get the nod due to Nick Foles’ hip injury. With the offense in need of any kind of spark, perhaps a change at quarterback can help with that.

Meanwhile, the Packers remain atop the NFC North primed for another postseason appearance. While Green Bay has suffered all three losses since their bye week, they’ve been impressive down the stretch.

The Packers have no shortage of talent that they’ll be leaning on in Sunday’s matchup, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, receiver Davante Adams, edge rusher Za’Darius Smith and cornerback Jaire Alexander.

As Chicago prepares to face Green Bay, which Packers players would you want on the Bears?

VOTE!

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