Life as Mike...

Since being selected by the Houston Texans I have been working hard to learn the system and adapt to the speed of the NFL game. While I’ve still got a ways to go I feel with each practice I’m getting closer and closer to where I want to be as a player.

During training camp I have had the opportunity to play each linebacker position. Like at Alabama, the Texans play a 4-3 defensive scheme. So, it’s not a totally new thing to me but the terminology is. The past week I’ve seen most of my time at the Mike linebacker position with the first unit. As with everything in the NFL, all the positions are up for grabs and I’ve got to continue to work myself into a starting position. Depth charts in pre-season mean nothing.

Coach Kubiak is a great guy and reminds me a lot of the way Coach Shula handled things. Looking back I think the way Coach Shula did things at Alabama, with his experiences from the NFL, prepared me for this time in my career. Much like it was during my career at Alabama, the Texans find themselves in a rebuilding project. Texas is full of football history and the city of Houston has a lot to do with that. Putting this franchise and team on the road to winning is certainly what I want to help to achieve. Hopefully, through my work ethic and play on the field I can be the leader to Houston I was able to be at Alabama. And maybe my time in Houston will turn out to be as fruitful as my time in Tuscaloosa. 

Speaking of Bama, it was good to see we signed former Tide linebacker Saleem Rasheed and tight end Patrick Hape. Saleem will be wearing number 96 and Patrick 45. As for me, my number has changed, look for me wearing number 59.

On Saturday I’ll get my first chance at the NFL game when we host Kansas City in a pre-season game. Not sure at this point how much time I will see on the field but hope to get enough to help me adjust to the speed and strength. Saturday’s game will also reunite me with Brodie. Maybe he’ll remember some of those practices of his early days at Bama.

A big hello to all the Bama fans out here in Texas who have taken the time to come out to practice and holler for me, I appreciate it very much. I hope I make you guys proud!

For you Bama fans don’t worry too much about that defense. They’ll be OK. All of us who left didn’t take our secrets with us, we shared them and it should show.

Until next week,

DeMeco Ryans # 59