'I Love It!' Texans Coach DeMeco Praises Roster 'Mix'
If coach DeMeco Ryans' Houston Texans are going to improve this season, they're going to need to rely on their veteran leadership.
Starting your head coaching career isn't easy to do with a team that finished one game away from the top overall pick of the NFL Draft, but since being hired in January, Ryans has seemingly turned things around in Houston — off the field at least.
Until Sept. 10, the Texans won't be able to showcase their new and improved roster on the football field, but they certainly can off of it, and that they are. Practice sessions have been noticeably positive, stemming from Ryans' uplifting demeanor, the rookie coach even celebrating his birthday during team practice.
That uplifting attitude has been both noticed and adopted by the team's veterans as well, who have spent their practices working with the younger players that make up a significant portion of Houston's revamped roster. And to Ryans, that's a top priority.
"It's very important to have veteran leadership," Ryans said following Saturday's team practice. "We have a lot of young guys on our team. There's a lot of [players] who need an example of how things should be done."
Saying a player needs an example isn't a knock on them — it just goes to show how young the Texans are. At running back, Houston's first option is a rising second year. Two new rookies are set to take field at receiver in Tank Dell and John Metchie III, while their likely starting quarterback is also a rookie. On defense, two of the Texans' top secondary playmakers are rising second years.
Houston is a young team, putting it in a position to surprise the league, but even when other teams aren't looking, the younger players are learning from their veterans.
"Somewhere in [their career], [the vets] have had some older player pick them up and guide them," Ryans said. "[Now], they're just doing what we all do. As players, we make sure to pass on information to the next generation. I love that mix of having young guys, but also older guys."
The Texans do have a mix of older guys. Between veteran quarterback Case Keenum, running back Devin Singletary and even new tight end-receiver duo Dalton Schultz and Robert Woods, Ryans' younger stars have players to look up to.
And to him, that's one of the most important things they can do.
Houston will take the field for the first time of the 2023 season on Sunday, Sept. 10 against the Baltimore Ravens. Kickoff is set for noon. ... at which time the roster "mix'' will be unveiled, hopefully in a positive way.
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