With Darryl Sharpton Out, DeMeco Ryans Has To Be DeMeco Ryans Again

by Tim on Nov 3, 2011 11:31 AM CDT in General BRB Idiocy

I had been thinking about posting on this topic since Darryl Sharpton went down for the season last Sunday but hadn't gotten around to it. Jerome Solomon penned an article in today's Chronicle addressing the issue. Whether he's ready for an increased workload or not, DeMeco Ryans, a little over a year removed from that horrible Achilles tear, is about to get it. And Cap'n 'Meco seems excited about it.

"No one likes coming out of a ballgame - no competitor, that is," Ryans said. "I want to be out there all the time. That is what I am used to. But I understand that is how we play our defense, and I get that. But I'm good to go. I can play more."

A little less than a year ago, DreKeem (yes, he did actually once author a post here), wrote an outstanding article that cited all kinds of foreboding data about professional football players returning from Achilles tears. Looking at it now, it's reassuring to see that DeMeco Ryans has already proven that he's not in the 32% of players who never play another snap after a similar injury. Yet it's also somewhat disheartening to re-read the stats about the absurd power rating decline calculated amongst linebackers who suffer Achilles injuries.

While DeMeco has shown flashes of returning to form in the limited exposure he's had this season, I can't help but wonder whether the Sharpton injury is going to loom even larger once Ryans is asked to do more so soon after his injury. To some degree, the Texans were protecting DeMeco before Sharpton got hurt; now, that safety net is gone. Mister Alexander ain't gonna save the day if DeMeco gets exposed as being a weak link.

None of this is meant to impugn DeMeco Ryans' heart, professionalism, or fortitude. He's one of my favorite Texans of all time, and no one can dispute that he's been anything but a standard-bearer since he arrived in Houston. I want nothing more than for him to return to what he was pre-injury. The data, however, certainly seems to justify the fear that he never will or, at the very least, that it won't happen this season.

If anyone can make it work, it's Wade Phillips and DeMeco Ryans. But without Darryl Sharpton there to spell 'Meco? The margin for error is gone.

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Preach to the Choir

I was at the game on Sunday. My buddy texted me , “well at least it wasn’t Demeco.” My response, “Yeah. It’s worse.” Can DeMeco return to pre-achilles form? Maybe, but the Texans’ coaching staff obviously hasn’t seen enough of those flashes to which you referred to believe so.

Pray that Mister Alexander can cover. Otherwise, in passing downs Cushing will be less likely to blitz as he will have to cover.

Or maybe I’m just over-reacting…

I can run faster horny than she can scared

by DeathBySexy on Nov 3, 2011 11:37 AM CDT reply actions

a little over reacting

but youre not wrong. demeco has player pretty well against the run, and from what I can remember, hasnt been asked to cover all that much. This is what concerns me.

you have to assume meco is better than a lofa tatupu, and hopefully he gets better each and every week.

My concern is that it looks like we survived the andre injury, as well as casey, manning, and mario. I think we can withstand the sharpton one, but im not sure if we can afford to lose anyone else on defense, except for kareem

tampa game should tell us a lot

@THEREALALLENOU on twitter - "The man, the verb, the legend" OU'd

by AllenOU on Nov 3, 2011 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Shouldn't actually have an impact on passing downs

because generally the Texans will be in a nickel where Cushing is normally the only ILB.

In other words, they’ve been playing with out DeMeco on most passing downs all year.

by Vega on Nov 3, 2011 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions

This is a good observation

On typical passing downs the Texans are adding a DB, and taking Meco out. But, Sharpton has been getting in on some plays and playing a lot of STs. That is why Kubiak said that the guy taking Sharpton’s place has to be able to play STs. That is first and foremost what that guy will be doing.

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Nov 3, 2011 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions

I think you mean dime,no?

In nickel we play 2 backers, I thought.

by USMC_JA on Nov 3, 2011 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Exactly my thought

I'm a man!! I'm forty!!

by Hydroshock on Nov 4, 2011 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions

We don't usually play a second ILB on passing downs, anyways.

DeMeco/Sharpton usually comes off in favor of an extra safety or corner.

by Nashmeister on Nov 3, 2011 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Aaaand Vega beat me to it by about three seconds.

by Nashmeister on Nov 3, 2011 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Yes!

by Vega on Nov 3, 2011 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't think it's so much.....

not seeing enough of those flashes

as it is not pushing his recovery too fast. They had the luxury of being able to sub him out without too much if any of a falloff when playing Sharpton…..that luxury is gone. What/how does Wade continue to not push Cap’n Meco’s recovery too fast yet get the right combination of players on the field? This next game will tell us allot.

Just my $.02
Even duct tape can't fix stupid

by txknight on Nov 4, 2011 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Cap'n

needs to make it happen.

"Taco Joe - the beacon of optimism" TexansDC
THEREALALLENOU: "@Joeeatstacos... You're like the second testicle to my Tom green. I dont NEED you, but life is better when your around lol"
AllenOU is the Montgomery to my Patton
God blessed Texas, but he has forsaken the Texans

by Taco Joe on Nov 3, 2011 11:43 AM CDT reply actions

hopefully bama beats lsu

demeco gets all jacked up and plays like 2007!!!

@THEREALALLENOU on twitter - "The man, the verb, the legend" OU'd

by AllenOU on Nov 3, 2011 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm craving Crunchberries all of the sudden...

The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.

by Stupendous Man on Nov 3, 2011 12:49 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I saw this list of

QBs=superhero
Schaub got Mint Berry Crunch
I loled when they said we are nothing… had to remind them
MINT BERRY CRUNCH WAS AWESOME

by Taco Joe on Nov 3, 2011 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Now I want some "Ooops, All Berries!"

I don’t think they make it anymore, though.

The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.

by Stupendous Man on Nov 3, 2011 3:23 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I have a box in my cupboard

do u want some?

by Taco Joe on Nov 3, 2011 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe Demeco needs some of Cushing's

“supplements”.

Matt Schwab, Mary O' Williams, Adrian Foster, and Daniel Owens are my favorite Texans!

by MeSoLongHorny on Nov 3, 2011 11:49 AM CDT reply actions

No, he just needs to "overtrain"...

"Fanaticism consists in redoubling your efforts when you have forgotten your aim." - George Santayana

by DilloTex on Nov 3, 2011 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions

…or get pregnant.

Blind fandom is all I got left.
"Down to clown with some other chick's lady bits" ~ MDC

by Lone Spot on Nov 3, 2011 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Wait, I thought

Tim Dobbins is supposed to be backing up Meco.

by Texanation on Nov 3, 2011 12:42 PM CDT reply actions

Re: Dobbins

I believe Dobbins is going to be the top backup for multiple LB spots.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Nov 3, 2011 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions

He is

But he just cannot cover at all.

"The greatest danger in planning for tomorrow is using yesterdays logic."
Marc Kahlberg
"Some ideas are so stupid that only intellectuals believe them." - George Orwell

by Barryfromtexas on Nov 3, 2011 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions

I got a question has nothing to do with Demeco.

We Have two good Running backs, you think Kubes has a formation with both of them in?

by southpaw70 on Nov 3, 2011 1:33 PM CDT reply actions

A veer with Casey as QB?

"The greatest danger in planning for tomorrow is using yesterdays logic."
Marc Kahlberg
"Some ideas are so stupid that only intellectuals believe them." - George Orwell

by Barryfromtexas on Nov 3, 2011 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions

I LOLd at Veer

Not sure why.

Blind fandom is all I got left.
"Down to clown with some other chick's lady bits" ~ MDC

by Lone Spot on Nov 3, 2011 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions

No i am serious.

You should want to have your most dangerous people on the field at some time.

by southpaw70 on Nov 3, 2011 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I've wondered the same thing.

Especially in goal line situations.

by ahem! on Nov 3, 2011 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions

I LOLd at veer

Not sure why.

Blind fandom is all I got left.
"Down to clown with some other chick's lady bits" ~ MDC

by Lone Spot on Nov 3, 2011 2:02 PM CDT reply actions

To: THE REAL ALLEN OU

Please stop posting for me.
#kthanksbai

Blind fandom is all I got left.
"Down to clown with some other chick's lady bits" ~ MDC

by Lone Spot on Nov 3, 2011 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions

now, that safety net is gone. Mister Alexander ain’t gonna save the day

I hope they put this on his HOF plaque.

- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter | Football Outsiders | Battle Red Blog

by riversmccown on Nov 3, 2011 3:32 PM CDT reply actions

The Cap'n, unfortunately needs some help

He hasn’t been the same player this season. He has lost some of his ability to cover TEs, fend off blockers, and fill holes. Losing Sharpton will be a blow to this D. I don’t know how good the guys are, who will be filling Sharpton’s shoes. We will start to see this weekend.

I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.

by Rip Jersey on Nov 3, 2011 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Dobbins is the main guy

Wade brought him in because he has played for him in the past and knows the system. From what I’ve seen of his limited playing time he’s solid as a run stopper but probably not any better, or worse, than DeMeco in coverage.

I'm a man!! I'm forty!!

by Hydroshock on Nov 4, 2011 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions

If Mister Alexander Doesn't Choose Rivers McCown

To present him at Canton, I will boo his induction speech.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Nov 3, 2011 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Haters Gonna Hate

- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter | Football Outsiders | Battle Red Blog

by riversmccown on Nov 3, 2011 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I hate this situation.

Cap’n Meco deserves nothing but the best, but it’s not liking like he’ll ever be a pro bowler ever.

If you're a fan of basketball, watch a movie called Sonicsgate. It's free, just google it.
2011 Vancouver Canucks - The closest feeling to winning I've ever had.

by .Bonzo on Nov 3, 2011 6:48 PM CDT reply actions

I'm hopeful

that Meco will step up. He has too. It’s not like we are going to find quality out there on waivers….

I will be there on Sunday. Very fired up.

by Kidaster on Nov 3, 2011 8:22 PM CDT reply actions

I will be at the game too...which leads me to a question....

I need to know tailgaiting etiquette at Reliant. My wife and I would like to participate; however, we don’t know any body and have never done the tailgating thing.

Any tips/hints would be appreciated. Thanks!

by USMC_JA on Nov 4, 2011 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions

GOTTA PUT THIS SOMEWHERE

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! CHING!!!!!! DYNAMO up 1-nil

by Taco Joe on Nov 3, 2011 8:45 PM CDT reply actions

dynamo has a nice blog too

Not telling you that goal isn’t welcome just to check it out

Karate? The Dane Cook of martial arts?

by Rocket94 on Nov 3, 2011 10:20 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I know they do

but I am comfortable here, plus not as knowledgeable on the Dynamo as I am the Texans, it is hard to keep up with MLS, Baseball and Basketball when you dont live in Houston

by Taco Joe on Nov 3, 2011 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions

True..

I tried to get more aquanted with MLS. But i felt like Blaine Gabbert trying to read coverages, just in over my head.

Karate? The Dane Cook of martial arts?

by Rocket94 on Nov 4, 2011 2:14 AM CDT up reply actions

yeah

unless you know how the system works it is hard to follow.

by Taco Joe on Nov 4, 2011 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions

A player needs the same amount of time that he missed, to play to get back to 100%, only time will tell if Demeco returns to the player he used to be.

For what it’s worth, I believe he will.

by Sam13 on Nov 3, 2011 9:24 PM CDT reply actions