DeMeco Ryans was in high school when a coach told him that if he wanted a career in football, he would have to show energy on every play.
Ryans took that to heart and shaped the Houston Texans in his image in his first season at the helm of the team.
Winners of only three games in 2022, the Texans can advance to the AFC final with a victory in Baltimore on Saturday (match presented at 4:30 p.m. on RDS).
“There are a lot of people who don’t want to give their full effort on every play,” Ryans said. When the whole team adheres to it and constantly puts all the effort into it, it’s noticed and it attracts respect. »
A second-round pick in 2006, Ryans spent six seasons as a linebacker with the Texans.
Houston fired Bill O’Brien after the team lost its first four games in 2020. Romeo Crennel guided the team to a 4-12 mark that year.
Next came David Culley, fired after a 4-13 campaign in 2021. The following year, Lovie Smith led the Texans to a 3-13-1 record.
Few expected a quick turnaround, but the Texans’ tight end was optimistic about Ryans, who had just spent two seasons coordinating the San Francisco 49ers defense.
“His arrival was a breath of fresh air,” said Texans long throw specialist Jon Weeks, a teammate of Ryans in 2010 and 2011.
“It was instantaneous. Then he and Nick (Caserio, the GM) found a lot of talent in the draft. We felt like they were starting to build something special. »
Aged 39, Ryans also has a demonstrative side that his troops really like.
“When he played, you wanted to fight alongside him because he had so much energy,” said defensive end Kareem Jackson, also a teammate of Ryans’ for two years.
“He’s the same as a coach. He has an aura of positivity and it makes you want to deliver the goods. »
Part of his success is undoubtedly linked to the brilliance of rookie quarterback CJ Stroud, who has collected 4,108 passing yards this year (with 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions).
“We have the same great hunger to win and the same work ethic,” Stroud said. We come from programs where there is a culture of winners.
“I never had to question anything with him. It’s very pleasant to grow and progress with him. »
2024-01-17 16:22:00
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