You could argue that rookie linebacker DeMeco Ryans, not defensive end Mario Williams, is the most valuable rookie on the Houston Texans squad. The former Alabama star should get strong consideration for -- at minimum -- Defensive Rookie of the Year this season. He's posted 137 tackles, 3.5 sacks, deflected four passes and picked one off, and has forced a fumble.
Ryans answered a few questions for the media this week during an NFL Conference Call.
(on wanting to stay in at the end of the game vs. New England and if that
is his makeup/attitude)
“Definitely, always. When you’re out competing, I don’t care, it’s not
over until it’s over. I’m a true competitor and I always want to be out
there fighting for my team.”
(on being a 2nd-round pick and becoming a leader on defense despite
DE-Mario Williams being the No. 1 pick and getting the publicity)
“I didn’t think much about it because I’m a type of guy, I know that going
into anything, you always have to prove yourself over and over again. Coming in,
I wasn’t worried about that, knowing that Mario has the spotlight on him. I
knew it would probably be a little tougher for him, seeing that everything he
did was so highlighted and escalated, even though it was some of the smallest
things he did. I always knew, no matter what (round) I was taken, whether it be
1st or 2nd, you’re always going to have to prove yourself.”
(on if he is glad he doesn’t have to deal with the scrutiny like
DE-Mario Williams)
“Oh, yes. Sometimes you just get tired of it. It’s cool sometimes, but it
can be overdone, everyone talking about you, talking down on you about this and
that and never saying anything positive about what you do. It can get kind of
tough.”
(on how tough it has been for him losing in his first season after winning
so much in college)
“It’s tough, because you work so hard throughout the week, throughout
training camp. You put in all of this work in the weight room, in the meeting
rooms. You put in all of that work to go out on Sunday and to get a W. It’s
been tough because we’ve worked so hard and we’re not coming up with as many
(wins) as we should have.”
(on comparing Joseph Addai on tape now and what he saw of him in college)
“He looks a lot quicker to me than what he was in college. In college, I
thought he was a bigger back, and I want to say he was heavier in college. He
was more like a bruising type of running back. It seems like now he is quicker.
It’s sort of like his show. He’s getting the ball and he makes a lot of guys
miss.”
(on if he has been surprised by Joseph Addai’s success)
“Not at all. I always knew Joe was a great running back. He had a couple of
problems with injuries in college when we faced them, but I always knew he had
the likes of being a good running back in this league.”