09/03 — Down in the Lone Star State, the old adage is “Everything’s bigger in Texas”. But when the Houston Texans begin their season opening preparations for the Jets this weekend, their coaching staff might beg to differ when they throw in the tape and see Kris Jenkins.

At 6’4” and 360 pounds, the Jets’ defensive tackle is massive, strong and amazingly agile. You can add adaptable to his description as well because the Texans will be surprised when they turn on the video and see there was a preseason snap when big No. 77 lined up at middle linebacker.

“It’s like a happy, scary thing at the same time,” Big Jenks said of his LB position. “It’s like ‘What am I doing standing up?’ ”

There was an interesting reaction from Jenkins when the Jets' creative defensive staff informed him that there was a package in which he would drop back off the line of scrimmage.

“Oh my gosh, OMG,” he said with a laugh. “I went home and told my wife, ‘I played linebacker today.’ She was like, ‘What?’ I said, ‘I played linebacker.’ She’s been learning about football and she’s starting to learn about the positions some and she was like, ‘Isn’t that the position [David] Harris and [Bart] Scott play?’ I was like, ‘Yeah.’ She said, ‘What are you doing there? You’re bigger. Aren’t you supposed to be on the line?’ ”

After eight professional seasons, the move to linebacker was a first for Jenkins. The goal of this Jets defense is organized chaos and you just wonder what will be going through Texans QB Matt Schaub’s mind when he’s in the film room next week and sees No. 77 off the line.

“I take it as a compliment. To be chosen to do something like that makes me feel like I’m doing something right,” said Jenkins, who played only the first defensive series tonight in the Jets' 38-27 preseason victory over the Eagles. “They could have picked a whole bunch of guys. I accept the challenge, and I’m going to go out there and try to make sure I can do the best at it. Anything I can to do to show that linemen are athletic and can keep up with everyone else, I’m going to do it.”

It’s not that Jenkins has never been moved around before, but he sure didn’t move around much last season as Eric Mangini stationed Big Jenks at the customary nose slot in his 3-4 front.

“Last year, it was probably the least I’ve ever moved around. I have been moved around — never to different positions like linebacker,” he said. “Within my time, I could have played head-up, shade or three-tech[nique], or four. It was changes back then. Last year was the first year where it was like, ‘You’re here. That’s it. That’s all. Don’t move.’ It’s cool to move, but this is the probably the most I’ve moved around.”

The Jets’ focus shifted to the Texans immediately after tonight's final gun. While the Schaub-to-Andre Johnson combination will get most of the attention leading up to the regular-season opener, the Jets’ interior triangle — Jenkins, Harris and Scott — will also attempt to neutralize RB Steve Slaton, who as a rookie last year rushed for 1,282 yards at 4.8 yards per carry.

“I think we can be as good as anybody in this league,” Big Jenks said of the Green & White’s middle. “That’s something we’re going to look forward to, trying to prove that we’re just as good as anybody else. I know what it feels like to be part of something and everybody is talking about you being the best. I think we definitely have that type of chemistry here and I’m looking forward to getting out here and showing what we can do.”

Don’t expect Jenkins to play too play many snaps at linebacker, but it’s just another look the Texans have to prepare for. We’re 10 days out and the Texans had better start buckling their chinstraps because Big Jenks is ready to bring havoc to Houston.

“It’s not going to be a cakewalk. We’re going to have to go in there and have our lunch ready,” he said. “It’s going to be an exciting one because we’re in Houston and we’ll have the odds stacked against us going into that first one and I like that. Honestly, I like being the underdogs.”