Live Chat with DeMeco Ryans

by marroncito on Jun 11, 2008 12:29 PM CDT in News

The chat is being hosted by Chron.com in their sports section. Here's the link. The chat starts at 2 p.m. central.

The site says that all questions are being "approved," so be patient. I'm sure DeMeco is going to be swamped. I'm also sure he's going to answer a lot of repetitive questions.

Updated: The chat was short but interesting. Link to the transcript and commentary after the jump.

(images via images.chron.com)

Three words stood out for me in this chat. "It's our time." Simple and succint. The de facto leader of the Texans defense feels that the Texans' time is now. I can only imagine how this filters through the locker room and out on the field.

The chat teeter-tottered between fluff and interesting questions. You can read the whole thing here.

Down South

A really interesting thing was how 'just folks' DeMeco is. He's just another Southerner. Some quotes:

G-95691514: DeMeco, if you had to play for any other franchise, who would it be and why? Also let me state I hope you never play for any of the other teams. You are the heart and soul of this team.

DeMeco_Ryans: Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That was my favorite team growing up. I loved to watch the Bucs. But I love where I'm at and wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

G-95720257: which stadium, other than reliant, do you enjoy playing in most?

DeMeco_Ryans: Jacksonville. They play "Sweet Home Alabama" It reminds me of my good old college days.

You rarely get a chance to see a player be this real. I can just picture DeMeco joining Matt on a beach.

Being Humble

Another great Ryans quote:

Autra: What would you say the number one thing that got you to where you are today is?

DeMeco_Ryans: Being humble.

I'm betting Smithiak wants 53 guys just like this on the roster. And it's not just that he's humble. He gave a lot of quotes about leadership on the defense and on the team. Here's a guy who doesn't have a ceiling, who could potentially be a Hall of Fame player, and he's staying humble. You gotta love that.

Chocolate? Potato?

You've seen DeMeco fly around the field making tackles. Turns out he may have a chip on his shoulder:

rickstyles33: DeMeco, how does does it feel to be the face of the franchise after only a couple seasons in the league?

DeMeco_Ryans: Awesome. I never would have dreamed of being a face of a franchise in such a short period of time. Being a guy who's supposedly undersized and not fast enough, it's a honor to get recognition.

These are the kinds of quotes you hear out of guys like Steve Smith...players that just bring it every down.

It was a really good chat for how short it was. We all got to know DeMeco Ryans a little better. Don't forget to visit his official website.

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Awesome

Be sure to ask him if can bottle his bathwater and sell it on EBay. We can call it the Essence of Awesomeness… and charge $59.95 a bottle, plus $7 shipping. I know a dude who owns a postal store, where we can ship it for $3. We’re gonna be RICH!

Got Texans? Visit BattleRedBlog.com for the latest on your Houston Texans!

by SOLIS on Jun 11, 2008 12:53 PM CDT reply actions

Chat

Yeah, I got excited when I saw he was going to do a chat, but it’s going to be so packed, with such silly questions – I’ll just wait for the transcript I think. Heh.

by HoustonDiehards on Jun 11, 2008 1:13 PM CDT reply actions

15 minutes to go

and only 12 people in the chat room…

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go Texan Horn Stros!

by Shake on Jun 11, 2008 1:44 PM CDT reply actions

Who am I kidding?

I’ll be there. Nothing better to do.

by HoustonDiehards on Jun 11, 2008 2:00 PM CDT reply actions

My little turn at the Q&A

Shake: From the defensive side of the ball, what specific improvements do you see in the O-line this offseason?

DeMeco_Ryans: Their techniques have been revamped. They’re doing a lot more zone-blocking which will allow them to cut defensive linemen more. There are a lot faster off the ball. They do a great job of faking the run blocking when it’s a pass.

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go Texan Horn Stros!

by Shake on Jun 11, 2008 2:21 PM CDT reply actions

Wow

That was a total waste of time… at the 34 minute mark, he just bailed. LOL

Good question, Shake. I asked about the whole “nasty” factor on the defense, but the question didn’t get to him.

by HoustonDiehards on Jun 11, 2008 2:36 PM CDT reply actions

re: 30 minutes

It’s still waayy longer than I usually last, but then again he is a professional athlete.

I submitted a 2nd question (that obviously didn’t make it) regarding if they have changed any strength/conditioning regiments after “leading the NFL” for 2 years with # of players on the IR.

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go Texan Horn Stros!

by Shake on Jun 11, 2008 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions

That's one hell of a question

That’s something I harped on at over at Steph’s site. With the bevy of knee injuries over the past three years, it makes you wonder if the training staff is preparing the team properly.

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by SOLIS on Jun 11, 2008 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions