DeMeco turns in 10 tackle performance, again

VOTE DEMECO ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

For the second straight week, DeMeco led the Texans defense with 10 total tackles as Houston dropped another close game this time to the New York Giants 14-10. After giving up a touchdown in the first quarter the Texans defense held New York scoreless until midway through the fourth when Jeremy Shockey scored on a three yard pass from Eli Manning.

DeMeco and fellow Houston rookie Mario Williams combined for back-to-back sacks of Giant’s quarterback Eli Manning. Ryans now has 2.5 sacks on the season, 73 total tackles with 56 of those being solo. Coming into week 9, DeMeco only trailed Tampa’s Ronde Barber in solo tackles. In Sunday’s loss to New Orleans, Barber logged 4 tackles with 3 solo’s, which should give DeMeco the league lead with 56 solo tackles ahead of Barber’s 55.

Ryans and the Texans, now 2-6 on the season, will head to Jacksonville next Sunday for a rematch with the Jaguars, a team Houston beat a few weeks ago.

To call Ryans special states the obvious

Where to start with DeMeco Ryans? With his play at middle linebacker? With his maturity? Or with a story or two about the kid himself?

Yes, there. When you hear people talk about athletes serving as role models, Ryans is the kind of person they have in mind.

He graduated cum laude from Alabama with a 3.5 GPA. He finished in seven semesters and throws around phrases such as "time management" and "self-discipline."

He was involved in an array of charitable causes, including serving as spokesman for the local DARE program and working at a shelter for Katrina evacuees. He also raised around $5,000 for Katrina relief efforts by asking his Crimson Tide teammates to donate their $25 per diem.

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