DeMeco Ryans has accomplished what Christian Harris would like to attain in his NFL career.
The Houston Texans picked Ryans in Round 2 of the 2006 NFL draft from Alabama. The two-time Pro Bowl linebacker developed as the beloved “Cap” of the defenses throughout the Gary Kubiak era.
Harris is a former Alabama linebacker entering his second season with the Texans. Whatever Ryans did to have success in Houston, Harris is taking notes.
“Really trying to be a sponge,” Harris told reporters Tuesday at mandatory minicamp. “He gives a lot of advice.”
However, it isn’t simply what Ryans did for the Texans that Harris is interested in. Ryans is also the reigning AP Assistant Coach of the Year for his work as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator last season. The 49ers appeared in the NFC Championship Game in the past two years, both of which Ryans was at the helm defensively. If there is anyone who knows what a linebacker’s function is in this defense, it is Ryans.
“He ran this defense before with a previous team,” said Harris. “Just trying to get an understanding of how he wants it to be done. Again, he played linebacker too, so a lot of tips with that. Trying to be a sponge in the room as much as I can.”
Harris generated 74 combined tackles along with 1.0 sack, six tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, a forced fumble, five pass breakups, and an interception through 12 games last year, 11 of which he started.
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