Bodies flying. Blocks coming. Games on the line. The pressure might get to a lesser man, but Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans is anything but a lesser man
No NFL player has to get down and dirty like the middle linebacker in a 4-3 defense.
After a game, the “mike” linebacker is dirty, bloody and sweaty from taking on centers, guards and fullbacks who try to pancake him on running plays inside the tackles.
The middle linebacker almost always leads his team in tackles. He has to run well enough to be all over the field. He has to be smart enough to read the play, instinctive enough to locate the ball, nimble enough to keep blockers off his legs and strong enough to shed blockers.
The best middle linebackers never come off the field, and one of the best in the NFL today is DeMeco Ryans.
“I think the world of DeMeco, because he’s special in a lot of different ways,” Texans defensive coordinator Richard Smith said. “Let me start with his attitude. He’s so unselfish. He’s not egotistical. He’s very humble. The team and the organization mean a lot to him. And winning is the most important thing to him.” READ MORE
No NFL player has to get down and dirty like the middle linebacker in a 4-3 defense.