HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- You've heard this line before.
Lovie Smith as the Texans' new defensive coordinator is bringing a linebacker-friendly scheme that will allow this position group to flourish.
Maybe expect a career season from Zach Cunningham, who's already done enough to earn a four-year contract worth $58 million.
Newcomers like Kevin Pierre-Louis and Christian Kirksey are known for flying to the ball, excelling from sideline to sideline.
On the fourth day of training camp, the defense was successful turning over rookie quarterback Davis Mills, who saw more reps with starter Tyrod Taylor's excused absence for a family matter.
"Lovie Smith's defense, he's got us flying around," Kirksey told John Lopez and Landry Locker of In The Loop on Saturday. "We're trying to build this mentality and see who we are, who are identity is. And right now, we're seeing we're a bunch of guys willing to play together, trust the process and run to the ball. That's our main focus."
It's not just the linebackers, though. Second-year defensive lineman Ross Blacklock, who struggled his rookie year spoke last week about this being a more reactive system that prioritizes his instincts, rather than thinking.
“I'm loving it, man. Everybody is flying around, making plays," Blacklock said. "I just feel more comfortable in this system. I think it will be real good for me, and not only me, but for the team as well. Just for the guys we have, the players we have, just to be able to unleash those type of instincts that we have and go create havoc."
"Guys can just go and just rush up field, use a move," he added. "It's not really like a one-system thing. Guys can get out of their comfort zone and try new stuff and new moves, as well as myself. So, I'm excited to see what everybody has for the season and get to unleash some new tricks."
Head coach David Culley said this is the expectation from a Lovie Smith defense, flying around and creating a sense of urgency for the offense.
"That just makes us better because you kind of get to see the speed of the game, the way it's going to be when you're actually out in the war and we're getting that every day from those guys," Culley said.
It will be hard not to improve from last season, when the Texans' defense produced the fewest takeaways with just nine. The next fewest was Detroit with 12 and Las Vegas with 15. The Dolphins' defense had the most takeaways with 29.
The Texans' defensive backs intercepted Mills four times Saturday, compared to just two interceptions from DBs in the entire 2020 season (J.J. Watt tied for the team lead with a single interception).
For as much as the linebackers are emphasized in this system, it's the positions in front and behind them that will need to improve most.
That's where players like Blacklock, defensive end Whitney Mercilus, safety Justin Reid and cornerback Bradley Roby factor in.
All of them had disappointing 2020 seasons for various reasons, but can thrive under new circumstances.
"Just go, see the ball, go get it," Kirksey said. "Run. Play fast. I think it's a good defense that's going to have a lot of guys being able to make plays at all levels."