DeMeco Ryans is providing a variety of modes for the Houston Texans to learn his defensive system.
The former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator has assistants who can teach players in the classroom and also on the field for more visual learners. Ryans also has former players who were with him in San Francisco to help with the finer aspects of his scheme.
One of those former 49ers to come eastward is safety Jimmie Ward. The former 2014 first-round pick has been an example for young defensive backs in the secondary, including second-year safety Jalen Pitre.
“He’s been great in that room with, again, with a guy like Jalen, obviously working with him,” defensive coordinator Matt Burke said on May 31. “You know, like I said, working with Jalen and kind of helping that growth along, the whole back end, it’s great.”
Another player the Texans brought in from San Francisco is Hassan Ridgeway, although the defensive tackle has been limited with a groin injury.
“Obviously just a lot of the guys or some of the guys that we targeted to bring in from Jimmie and some of the guys on D-line that have a history in the system and familiarity, it just helps almost just keep the messaging going obviously in the locker room and those sorts of things,” said Burke.
Working with younger teammates has also revitalized Ward, according to Burke.
Said Burke: “Jimmie has been great, and he looks like he’s about 25 right now out there, so that’s been cool, too.”
Ward provided the 49ers with 50 combined tackles, a tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, three interceptions, five pass breakups, and a forced fumble through 12 games, five of which he started.
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