DeMeco Ryans Emphasizing Communication on Day 1 Of Texans Rookie Camp
HOUSTON — The Houston Texans held the first day of rookie mini-camp at the Houston Methodist Training Center on Friday. Coach DeMeco Ryans said the rookie class of 2023 was "eager and excited" to get started.
Communication was the first important task Ryans and his coaching staff emphasized to the rookies during day one of camp.
"There is a lot of different communication," Ryans said. "These guys are getting in the huddle, saying a play call, coming out of the huddle. It's the simple things that they have to get used to that's different from the college game where a lot of things are coming from the sideline, a lot of pictures, signal-based things, and they're not used to verbalizing and communicating a lot."
Ryans said the first day of camp was good. Players spoke loudly in the huddle while the quarterback C.J. Stroud and linebackers were in command. Communication was one of the top on-field attributes that attracted Ryans to rookie linebacker Henry To'o'To'o — a prospect he has watched for years at Alabama.
To'oTo'o played two seasons with the Crimson Tide since the 2021 season. He finished his college career with 205 tackles, 6.5 sacks and one pass deflection.
"He's a very good communicator, running the show there," Ryans said. "They have a lot of calls, checks with that defense. So just being familiar with it, I have high respect for guys who have to communicate in college because it's an easier transition when they come to our level."
Outside of Communication, adjusting to the speed of the game was another significant emphasis for the Texans during day one of mini-camp. Ryans said the NFL's game speed is a characteristic every rookie has struggled with, which includes himself during his rookie season in 2006.
"I just remember just how quick practices were, how physical they were, which we can't get physical anymore," Ryans said. "Coming in, it was just a different speed, and I had to get acclimated quickly if I wanted to keep up. That was one thing I learned, to get rolling very quickly."
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