(SportsRadio 610) -- Texans linebacker Christian Kirksey likes the way Lovie Smith's defensive scheme fits his style.
The veteran signed with the Texans as a free agent in part due to the linebacker-friendly scheme.
"Lovie Smith is a legendary coach in my opinion," Kirksey said Tuesday on Clint Stoerner and 'The Show'. "Playing in his defense, I think it really fits me. When I saw the organization was hiring him, I was like 'yo, that's the defense I need to be in.'"
The eighth-year pro was at his best with the Cleveland Browns, where a scheme change after the 2016 season to Gregg Williams' 4-3 base defense moved Kirksey to weakside linebacker. In 2017, Kirksey had 3.5 sacks, 133 tackles and a career-high two forced fumbles with one recovery.
Kirksey's next two seasons were derailed by injuries, but he had interceptions (the only of his career) in back-to-back weeks against Philip Rivers and Jameis Winston in 2018 before his season was cut short by a hamstring injury.
Kirksey played in just two games in 2019 due to a chest injury and was released by the Browns after six seasons with the team.
Last season, Kirksey played and started in 11 games in Mike Pettine's 3-4 defense, though he spent about a month on injured reserve with a pectoral injury.
Kirksey wants to get back to running from sideline to sideline like his hair is on fire in Smith's defense.
"He allows his linebackers to play ball and run," Kirksey said. "And I think that's really part of my game, a guy who's going to come out and try to make those splash plays and bring that energy, bring that leadership to the team. I think that truly fits who I am, my character and my style of play.
"If you just like at the track history of Lovie Smith and his defenses, his linebackers are the go-getters. His linebackers are the guys who are running the show. I don't know how other linebackers feel, but I want to be a part of that."
Kirksey also consulted with Texans running back David Johnson about the team culture and direction. Johnson and Kirksey played college football an hour and a half away from each other in Iowa during the early 2010s.
"I've got a good relationship with him and when he spoke about the culture and the team and where it's headed, I wanted to be a part of that," Kirksey said. "I'm just trying to go play football, play with guys who want to win and play with a legendary coach. That's why I made my decision to go there."
