Texans coach DeMeco Ryans clarifies Will Anderson’s role on defense

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans explained the role Will Anderson will have in their defensive scheme.

Will Anderson is an edge defender. All of the pre-draft materials on the former Alabama product labeled him as such.

The Houston Texans have a better understanding of where they place their No. 3 overall pick in new coach DeMeco Ryans’ 4-3 defense.

Ryans met with reporters on May 12 and noted that what the Texans are asking of Anderson is, “not a huge position change for Will.”

The technique for how the Texans plan to use Anderson’s edge defense skills is what will alter from his playing days with the Crimson Tide.

“Mostly at Alabama he was standing up; we’ll have him down in a three-point stance,” Ryans said. “It’s not a big time position change for him. We won’t have him playing over the guard like he did some there later in his career, so it’s not a huge position change for Will.”

With Anderson getting to play more on the edge, it should keep him fresher since he won’t have to balance going against interior offensive linemen.

The Texans have a quartet of effective defensive tackles in Maliek Collins, Roy Lopez, Hassan Ridgeway, and Sheldon Rankins that should keep Anderson’s talents on the edge.

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Texans coach DeMeco Ryans lays out the goals for rookie minicamp

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans presented what he wants the players and coaches to get out of the two-day rookie minicamp.

HOUSTON — Houston Texans first-year coach DeMeco Ryans was back in a familiar place on Friday morning, and it showed on his face as he displayed the signature smile that the media and fans have grown accustomed to.

The 2023 rookie class for the Texans began their three-day minicamp at Houston Methodist Training Center. It was a time for the young men to acclimate to the daily regiment of conducting themselves as NFL players once the season starts.

“The most important thing for me is for those guys to have a just a general understanding of the terminology, offense, defense, and terminology,” Ryans said after practice. “Learning the offense, it’s like learning a new language, so then you have to learn how to speak that language and speak it fluently, especially for [quarterback] C.J. (Stroud) stepping in the huddle and making the play calls. How much and how quickly can they grasp the terminology and be able to communicate that effectively on the field?”

Ryans, who also had a very productive tenure as an NFL player, also wants to teach the rookies the importance of maintaining themselves and continuing to learn away from the field.

“Getting in the training room, hydration, food, whatever they need, and then what we’ll do with our guys is we’ll have more meetings,” said Ryans when asked about the daily routine he is implementing for the rookies. “We’ll have special teams’ meetings and have individual meetings. Those guys will come in, be able to watch the film with their coaches, and the coaches will be able to coach them up individually on things they need to improve on, and then we’ll have a benchmark for tomorrow to see that actual improvement and show them again after tomorrow’s practice.”

The rookies aren’t the only ones having to learn to adapt for the Texans. Ryans is in his first year as head coach after spending the last two seasons as defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and defensive coordinator Matt Burke are also making their rookie debuts as coordinators this season.

Ryans knows it is just as crucial for the new staff members to understand his way of running a football team and how they must work together to succeed.

“It’s a matter of us coming together collectively and doing what’s best for the Texans,” Ryans said. “We have a lot of guys coming from a lot of different places. Like we’re not trying to replicate what was done somewhere else. We’re trying to implement the things we need and what’s best for our team here. It’s a lot of guys coming together and just communicating on schedules and timing of practice. How long do we need to be out there and all of those things?

“There are a lot of smart people around here to help me out with that. Got a lot of good people. Our training staff, the strength staff, a lot of great people here to work with that’s made the transition to head coach loss easier.”

Houston will resume day two of the rookie minicamp on Saturday at Methodist Training Center.

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DeMeco Ryans says Texans must ‘go out and earn’ prime time games

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans believes his team must earn their way into being scheduled for prime time games.

The Houston Texans didn’t get a single prime time game on their 2023 slate.

For the first time since 2006, the Texans did not have one game placed in prime time. The only other time in Texans history they did not have a prime time game was in 2003.

For new coach DeMeco Ryans, the lack of prime time games is not a problem for his team.

“You know, with that schedule, right, not having any prime time games, you know, that’s the one thing that we kind of look forward to,” Ryans said after rookie minicamp Friday. “One thing that I’ve learned is I’ve just looked at it as for us as a team, we have to go out and earn, earn our right to be in those prime time moments.”

The only reason the Texans had prime time games the past two seasons — as moribund as the franchise was — was due to the NFL’s insistence on giving every team a Thursday Night Football game. Otherwise the Texans would have been blanked in prime time starting in 2021.

Ryans is confident he can use the lack of prime time games as motivation for the team to elevate their level of play.

“It was a good opportunity for our team to just go out, put our head down, and work and just prove where we belong,” said Ryans. “Excited about it.”

With flex scheduling, wherein the NFL flexes a better game into Sunday Night Football starting in Week 11, should the Texans start to look like a viable playoff contender, they could end up playing in a prime time game or two. Any flex into Sunday Night Football would be the Texans’ first appearance since Dec. 1, 2019, when they beat the New England Patriots 28-22 at NRG Stadium.

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Coach DeMeco Ryans looks forward to developing Texans’ drafted and undrafted talent

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says he is looking forward to cultivating, not just the team’s drafted talent, but also the undrafted.

HOUSTON — Nine young men had the opportunity to hear their names called by the Houston Texans in the 2023 NFL Draft that took place in late April in Kansas City. They were able to share in the excitement with family and friends who helped support them in some form or fashion.

Eight other young men did not get to hear a draft analyst assess their college careers on television. Nor did they hear their names called by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell or a super excited fan given the opportunity of a lifetime by reading the draft card. They had to wait until the draft was complete to receive a phone call from Texans general manager Nick Caserio offering them a chance to compete for a spot on the roster.

As the rookie minicamp is set to begin for Houston this weekend, first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans has no plans to use draft status in his initial evaluation of his young players.

“We are excited to work with all the guys, drafted or undrafted,” Ryans said before participating in the franchise’s 20th Annual golf charity event. “For me and coaches, it is our job to develop players. We find out what young men do well and how we can help them grow in an area that they may have some weaknesses.

“So, it is our job to understand those weaknesses as coaches and also just continue to help those guys. Show them how they can improve. Go out and teach them drills and fundamentals on where they can get better. That is the exciting part of coaching for me, just seeing young men improve day-to-day-to day.”

The Texans drafted former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and Alabama defensive end Will Anderson with back-to-back selections in the draft. They also added individuals such as wide receivers Tank Dell from Houston and Xavier Hutchinson out of Iowa State to help provide some offensive firepower.

While Ryans does believe that the roster improved with their draft picks and free agent signings this offseason, he is also well aware as a former NFL player that the game is played on the field and not on paper.

“We are not playing any games right now,” said Ryans. “We will see where we are come training camp. Once we are able to put pads on and truly go out and play football, that is where you assess the roster and see where we are. Right now, we can’t say how much better we are right now. You have to go play football and practice playing football to get better at football, and that is what we will assess and see where we are.”

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Texans fans have 12th-highest mock draft simulator usage

Houston Texans fans have had the 12th-highest usage of mock draft simulators according to Pro Football Focus.

Houston Texans fans are anxious for the 2023 NFL draft, and it shows with their mock draft simulator usage.

According to data from Pro Football Focus, Texans fans have had the 12th-highest usage of the analytics site’s mock draft simulator throughout the draft process.

Having the highest draft capital this year, highlighted by twin first-round picks at Nos. 2 and 12 overall, is one way to generate the excitement.

New coach DeMeco Ryans is aware of the positive energy swirling throughout the city and wants to capitalize on it.

“It’s an exciting time,” Ryans said on April 11. “We feel the energy, the excitement from around the city, from our players, our entire building. We’re all fired up, and we’re excited to get going.”

The NFL draft kicks off April 27 from Kansas City.

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Texans GM Nick Caserio emphasizes common mindset with DeMeco Ryans

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio says that he and new coach DeMeco Ryans have similar views when it comes to building a football team.

General manager Nick Caserio came from the New England Patriots dynasty led by Bill Belichick. New coach DeMeco Ryans spent his entire development as an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan since 2017.

Although the two key figures in team development may have come from disparate backgrounds, Caserio believes he has ubiquitous values with Ryans when it comes to building a successful football team.

“I think we have a lot in common in terms of how we view players, how we see a football team, the things that we deem important,” Caserio said April 17. “I don’t want to say we talk daily, but we talk daily just about all those matters. I’ve really enjoyed my time with him in the short period of time.”

Ryans is the third coach in as many offseasons Caserio has been on the job. Despite the two and a half months the coach and general manager have spent together, Caserio has seen enough from Ryans to know what type of character and beliefs the 2022 NFL assistant coach of the year brings to the organization.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him as a person, as a football coach, his perspective, his view point, kind of what he brings to the table,” said Caserio. “I think he has solidified what we thought going through the hiring process, and we’re excited to build this together and just to build a good, solid, sound football team that plays well situationally that I would say the organization and the city can be proud of.”

Caserio acknowledged that building a team that can win more than four games in a 17-game season can be challenging. Nevertheless there is confidence that together with Ryans they can assemble a better team than before.

Said Caserio: “Is that easy? No. Is there one way to do it? Absolutely not. We’ve both had the good fortune of being in good programs and being part of good teams and understanding what good football looks like, so how do we put our stamp on the Houston Texans 2023. In the end, that’s the goal and the most important thing.”

What Ryans has to his advantage his predecessors did not is the No. 2 overall pick in a draft class stocked with blue-chip quarterbacks. Whether the Texans go with Alabama’s Bryce Young or Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Houston should be getting a critical piece to help their new coach last for more than just a season.

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DeMeco Ryans describes last couple months with the Texans

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says his last couple months leading the team have been fun and also arduous — but in a good way.

Not even one meaningful down has been played by the Houston Texans since Jan. 8, but the team appears to be heading in an entirely new direction.

The DeMeco Ryans effect has taken hold on Kirby Drive. The kickoff of the team’s offseason program April 11 signaled the beginning of Houston’s long climb out of the AFC South basement back to respectability.

“This entire process has been great,” Ryans said. “First coming in, being named head coach, it was awesome, but I know right after that was over it was time to get to work. We had a lot of the work to do.”

The Texans named Ryans coach on Jan. 31. Within a month later, the 38-year-old rookie coach was in Indianapolis at the NFL combine helping evaluate the available prospects who could be targets for the Texans in the 2023 NFL draft. Two weeks later, the Texans were in the midst of free agency.

“When it comes to adding free agents to our team and the draft process, evaluating all the prospects within the draft, it’s a lot of work,” said Ryans. “It’s great having a lot of really good people to help you out with the work. Working with [general manager] Nick (Caserio) has been great. Working with or coaches, that’s been outstanding, everybody having their input. Everybody’s input has been valuable to me to make sure that we’re having a thorough process in everything that we’re doing.”

The Texans have 12 picks in the draft, tied for the most. Their draft capital leads the league.

Meanwhile the veterans under contract are working through Phase 1 of the offseason program. The second phase, which will include more on-field work, starts the week of the draft. Ryans will have to stay balanced.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun work when you’re doing it with really good people,” Ryans said.

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Texans coach DeMeco Ryans values the drive of NFL draft Day 3 players

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans understands the motivation players picked on Day 3 of the NFL draft have, and he appreciates the drive.

There is considerable focus on the first three rounds of the NFL draft. After all, even fourth versions of mock drafts by high level experts aren’t even venturing past the second round — and the 2023 NFL draft kicks off April 27.

However, any NFL team knows that the value to be had during the three-day event is largely comprised on Rounds 4-5, which start off Day 3.

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans knows there are 31 more slots opened up on the 90-man roster. If the Texans use each of their seven Day 3 picks, he will have to evaluate those rookies against veterans for a place on the club’s 53-man roster by the end of preseason.

Ryans believes players picked between Rounds 4-7 cannot falter in their motivation if they want to stay with their original draft team.

“As people, day three guys have to be very intrinsically motivated,” Ryans said. “That’s the makeup of day three guys. They have this desire that can be unmatched. That allows them to unseat guys that are in front of them. That allows them to go on and be very quality players in the NFL.”

The Texans have had two examples of Day 3 players carving out roles as rookies. 2021 sixth-round defensive tackle Roy Lopez has started 29 of his 33 games active with the Texans, and 2022 fourth-round running back Dameon Pierce has been the offense’s bell-cow since Week 1.

“It has to be a little different because there may be some type of measurable, something that didn’t match up to make that you day one guy,” Ryans explained. “What’s your drive? What’s going to give that you edge? Most of those day three guys have a certain chip on their shoulder that allows guys who may be touted as the best all the time and they get relaxed. Day three guys, sometimes they have that chip on their shoulder that just drives them over the top. I love guys coming in who have a chip on their shoulder, something to prove. They just work different.”

Any Day 3 players that are with the Texans will have to follow the example of Lopez and Pierce and demonstrate they have the drive to prove their worthy daily.

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Texans coach DeMeco Ryans puts stamp on personal approach to knowing players

Coach DeMeco Ryans shares how he gets to know the players on the Houston Texans’ expansive offseason roster.

The Houston Texans roster is 69 players — and that is before the 2023 NFL draft.

New coach DeMeco Ryans is all about taking a personalized approach to each player, but getting to know an entire 90-man roster may be a little ambitious.

However, another element of Ryans’ coaching philosophy is to allow his assistants the latitude to carry out functions in their own manner.

“It’s a lot of delegation,” Ryans said. “It starts with our coordinators, with me communicating with our coordinators and the coordinators to the position coaches of setting individualized time for each player. First and foremost, get to know each coach and connect with them on a personal level, and then I will as well try to get a few meetings with some players for myself just to make sure I have that connection with the guys.”

The Texans are in Phase 1 of their offseason program, which will include meetings for the first two weeks. Houston is precluded from doing any type of on-field work with the players until Phase 2.

The first phase of the offseason program allows for Ryans to get to know his players in a classroom setting.

“I think that the connection is very important from a coaching staff and player, just understanding that we’re all on the same page and we’re all striving for the same goal,” said Ryans. “We’re all here to make the Houston Texans organization as a winner, and we only do that if we’re connected and we’re together. It’s a very important part of the process for me to make sure that the players understand that I’m genuinely here and I have their best interest at heart.”

Ryans typifies the term “players coach” as he once played linebacker for the Texans from 2006-11, earning two Pro Bowl selections during his tenure.

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Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says ‘right people’ eliminates pressure to deliver

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans knows the city is hungry for a winner, and is relying on a good support staff to eliminate the pressure to deliver.

HOUSTON — Life for Houston Texans first-year coach DeMeco Ryans has become more difficult for him to navigate these days.

He is recognized more now since being hired by the organization than he was during his playing days in Houston.

Every time an individual gets an opportunity to talk to him, they have that one question that he knows is coming and has prepared himself for.

“What are the Texans going to do this year?” they ask and wait patiently for Ryans to answer.

Along with the inquiry of whom the Texans plan to select with their two picks in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, the pressure could seem like a lot for a coach still arraigning things in his new office. But Ryans isn’t a person who runs from any situation. In fact, he stands in the middle of it and navigates it to a positive outcome.

“No pressure for me at all,” said Ryans when asked about the expectations that fans have for him at his press conference on Tuesday. “This is an outstanding organization, an outstanding job. I love the excitement being around the city, just everybody stopping. Fans are excited; they want to take pictures and autographs. It’s an exciting time. I don’t feel any pressure because I know I’m surrounding myself with the right people, and I know we can get the job done.

“I know Houston is hungry for a winner. Trust me; I’m just as hungry to create a winner for this organization, for this city. It means a lot to me, and I want to be able to bring that to Houston. So, it’s no pressure. It just reminds me just continue to put your head down and go to work with the right purpose and to be detailed and just make sure we’re adding really great players to our team so when we line up on that field on Sundays, I want to just put a team out there that our city is proud of.”

Players reported to NRG Stadium this week voluntarily, as they are allowed to be at the facility to work out and continue their off-season training for the next two weeks in Houston.

“I couldn’t wait to get back here and begin to work towards next season for DeMeco,” said one Texans player who plans to spend the next two weeks in Houston. “Coach has that presence where you want to make sure you are prepared, especially since he played the game and knows what it takes.”

Texans fans are hoping that Ryans can bring back that winning feeling they had before the franchise had three consecutive seasons of winning less than five games. His hiring was an immediate upgrade from the previous two coaches, David Culley, a longtime NFL assistant, and Lovie Smith, who has a Super Bowl appearance on his resumé but could not help Houston in his one-year stint as coach.

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