Age: 22
College: Alabama
Height: 6’1” Weight: 229
Prelude:
Ryans was a
consensus first-team All-American in 2005 and SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
He was chosen by the Texans in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. An
outside linebacker in college, he was moved to middle linebacker by Houston
where he became an immediate contributor and outshone first overall pick DE
Mario Williams. What Ryans lacked in size and speed he made up with excellent
instincts and technique.
2006 Season Summary
Appeared and
started in all 16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Sacks – 3.5
Most sacks,
game – 1 at Dallas 10/15, at NY Giants 11/5, at Oakland 12/3
Interceptions
– 1
Int. return
yards – 16
Int. TDs – 0
Fumble
recoveries – 1
Forced fumbles
– 1
Tackles – 126
Assists – 30
Awards & Honors:
NFL Defensive
Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA
Texans went 6-10
to finish fourth in the AFC South.
Aftermath:
Ryans
followed up with a Pro Bowl season in 2007 and established himself as a top player
at his position and a leader on the Houston defense. He was a Pro Bowl
selection again in 2009 but went down with an Achilles tendon injury six games
into the 2010 season and the defense suffered in his absence. Ryans returned to
play in every game in 2011 but was less successful playing in a 3-4 defense and
was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012. He continued to be a solid
starter in Philadelphia, and while less effective in pass coverage than earlier
in his career, Ryans brought savvy and leadership. Through 2013, he had
accumulated 13.5 sacks, five interceptions, 667 tackles and 209 assists.
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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie
of the Year in the NFL (including NFC/AFC), AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by
a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper
Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the
league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).
