Behind HC DeMeco Ryans: A Turnaround Story
DeMeco Ryans, the second-year head coach of the Texans, has quickly made a name for himself in the NFL. In 2023, he became the first rookie head coach in history to win a division title with a rookie quarterback. But his journey to success started long before that.
Ryans, now 39 years old, began his leadership journey at the age of 12 by preaching at a church in Alabama. Football soon became a part of his life, and he excelled as both a center and a middle linebacker. But his leadership went beyond the field; he not only told his teammates how to play but also how to act.
Before being drafted by the Texans in 2006, Ryans was named the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 while playing for Alabama. He was known for his attention to detail, even objecting to teammates who left tape on the locker room floor. His teammates called him “Coach” because of his natural ability to lead.
As a rookie in Houston, Ryans took charge of the defense before his first game and quickly earned the nickname “Cap.” He went on to win Defensive Rookie of the Year and became a two-time Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro during his playing career.
After a successful stint as an assistant with the 49ers, Ryans was hired as the Texans’ head coach in January 2023. Under his leadership, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud had a remarkable debut season, middle linebacker Christian Harris had a breakout year, and wide receiver Nico Collins had the best season of his career.
To learn more about Ryans’ inspiring journey, I highly recommend reading Dan Pompei’s article on The Athletic. It delves deeper into his leadership qualities and the impact he has had on the Texans.
Proposal to Change the NFL Offseason Schedule
The NFL Players Association is considering a proposal to significantly alter the offseason schedule. The union wants to eliminate voluntary offseason workouts in the spring and instead have a longer training camp. The goal is to give players a longer recovery window and uninterrupted offseason.
While the changes are aimed for 2025, it’s unclear when the proposal will be presented to the NFL. However, there doesn’t seem to be much support for this idea among coaches and personnel departments. Many believe that removing the spring workouts could negatively impact young players’ development and on-field production.
Additionally, some individuals in the league have personal reasons for wanting to keep the current calendar. The break from the end of June until mid-July allows more quality time for families, especially since most children are out of school during that time.
While the proposal may have its merits, it faces significant opposition from those who question whether working less is conducive to greatness. Ultimately, it remains to be seen how the NFL and NFLPA will navigate this potential change.
Houston’s Bet on Nico Collins
The Houston Texans have made a significant investment in wide receiver Nico Collins. After a breakout season in 2023, Collins signed a three-year contract extension worth $24.25 million per year, with $52 million guaranteed.
Collins’ performance last season was impressive, with more receptions, yards, and touchdowns than his first two seasons combined. He received PFF’s fifth-best WR Grade (91.1) and averaged an outstanding 3.37 yards per route run, which was the second-best in the NFL.
By giving Collins WR1-level money, the Texans are betting on his ability to stay healthy and repeat his success from last year. However, there are concerns about his injury history, as he has never played a full season in his three-year career. Additionally, his numbers prior to 2023 were mediocre, with only 2.9 catches for 38.6 yards per game and three touchdowns in 24 games.
Nevertheless, the Texans are banking on Collins’ potential and the expected rise in receiver salaries. With young stars like Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase set to sign lucrative deals, Houston is happy to have secured Collins for the future.