(SportsRadio 610) -- After just two padded practices at Texans training camp, defensive coordinator Lovie Smith is already pleased with the installation of his defensive system.
Like many of his players, this is Smith's first season in Houston. Everyone is learning a lot in a short period of time.
A theme among the defensive players at training camp has been their fondness for playing with their instincts, rather than thinking as much on the field.
See ball, get ball.
There are more nuances to Smith's defense, which he balks at simplifying as a Tampa-2 (zone) defense.
Yes, they will play zone. Covering man-to-man will obviously be important, too.
Smith's philosophy is simple. Stop the run and be fundamentally sound, sure. But you have to take the ball away more than the nine times Houston did last season.
And not only does Smith want to take the ball away, but he wants to score, which is not something the Texans have been known for recently.
"They determine the winner by how many points you score and that's one of our goals defensively, to score as often as possible, just like on offense," Smith said. "And if we can't score, it's about taking the ball away. It's not a good defensive game unless you've done more than just make a tackle. So takeaways are important and if you've been in practice, you've seen guys buying into that."
It starts up front, where Smith told In The Loop's John Lopez and Landry Locker he plans to rotate as many as eight players.
Charles Omenihu, Whitney Mercilus, Shaq Lawson, Jacob Martin and Jordan Jenkins are among the Texans' defensive ends. In the middle, expect to see former Cowboy and Raider Maliek Collins, who has been impressive at camp. Also, Ross Blacklock, Vincent Taylor, Jaleel Johnson and Brandon Dunn also provide depth.
"We'll have four starters but the defensive line is a position where we want to play multiple guys," Smith said. "We want to feel about eight guys. We'll play at least a couple of different groups throughout the course of the game.
"Playing at the tempo that we want our guys to play, you have to play more than just your starters. That gives guys hope, too. Everybody knows that they are going to be a part, getting a chance to prove exactly who they are."
The linebacking core is stacked with Zach Cunningham, and newcomers Christian Kirksey, Kevin Pierre-Louis and Neville Hewitt figure to play prominent roles.
The safety position saw the least turnover, with Justin Reid, Eric Murray, Lonnie Johnson Jr. and A.J. Moore Jr. as the ones to watch. The Texans also added Terrence Brooks into the mix.
At corner, Bradley Roby will be the No. 1 option when he returns from suspension after Week One. Terrance Mitchell appears to be in position to play opposite Roby, with Desmond King in the slot. Vernon Hargreaves III could play inside or outside and should provide depth at the position.
"As a defensive coach, you just kind of want guys to take coaching, buy into what we're doing," Smith said. "We're getting on the same page. It's been documented how bad we were last year defensively. But to have a chance to do something about that, and to bring our Texans back, is pretty important to us right now."