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Demeco Ryans vs. Thomas Howard

HJam72

HJam72

Hall of Fame
During the draft, I had a list of positions and the players expected to be picked in order at their positions. Like for instance:

QB: Matt Leinart, Vince Young, Jay Cutler, Tommy Lawlor, Charlie Whitehurst, Reggie McNeal, etc.

At OLB, I had Thomas Howard ahead of Demeco Ryans. I got this list off of the internet, obviously, but I just want to know how they compare. Was it close and just a matter of opinion? Is it mostly an attitude thing or does one have more potential and the other is more ready to play now? Howard went to the Raiders 5 choices later and was the next OLB to go.

It just occurred to me that this MIGHT be a 3-4, 4-3 thing, but the one site I just looked at on Howard didn't say what type of D he played in.

I just think this might be a good discussion and something to nit pick on instead of Williams vs. Bush, for a change.
 
I think the big thing about Howard, atleast to the draft fans, is his measurables. People see a LB run a sub-4.5 40 and suddenly it's Jesus suiting up to play. It's no surprise that he went to the Raiders so early...from what I've read though, while Demeco isn't the athletic freak that Howard is, his instincts and intelligence should blow him out of the water.
 
Personally, I wanted Thomas Howard.


That way I could have my last name on the back of a Texans Jersey, that I didn't have to fake.
 
thunderkyss said:
Personally, I wanted Thomas Howard.
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I liked Howard a lot myself , That guy can flat out play and is as much a physical freak as any player in this draft . Both these guy's have first round talent .
 
ledzeppelin269 said:
I think the big thing about Howard, atleast to the draft fans, is his measurables. People see a LB run a sub-4.5 40 and suddenly it's Jesus suiting up to play. It's no surprise that he went to the Raiders so early...from what I've read though, while Demeco isn't the athletic freak that Howard is, his instincts and intelligence should blow him out of the water.
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This is what I have heard. As great an athlete as Howard is, he lacks the natural insticts of a linebacker like Ryans. It seems like the old regime looked more at measurables, while Kubiak is looking deeper at the football player behind the measureables. That's probably a simplistic answer, but I think it holds merit.
 
TexasJedi said:
This is what I have heard. As great an athlete as Howard is, he lacks the natural insticts of a linebacker like Ryans. It seems like the old regime looked more at measurables, while Kubiak is looking deeper at the football player behind the measureables. That's probably a simplistic answer, but I think it holds merit.
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I agree with this .
 
ledzeppelin269 said:
I think the big thing about Howard, atleast to the draft fans, is his measurables. People see a LB run a sub-4.5 40 and suddenly it's Jesus suiting up to play. It's no surprise that he went to the Raiders so early...from what I've read though, while Demeco isn't the athletic freak that Howard is, his instincts and intelligence should blow him out of the water.
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Good post and I agree fully. I was so very happy with the Ryans pick. He has a Jon Vilma-like game and I watch many SEC contests....I personally think we need more guys like this and less guys who have "ideal measurables" but need time to work on their game.
 
Vinny said:
Good post and I agree fully. I was so very happy with the Ryans pick. He has a Jon Vilma-like game and I watch many SEC contests....I personally think we need more guys like this and less guys who have "ideal measurables" but need time to work on their game.
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You mean like Mario Williams? :tiptoe:
 
thomas howard had the better measureables no doubt...he ran faster...he's bigger...he looked more NFL ready...but everyone i've talked to had one thing about to say about ryans that makes me believe he will be the better OLB...ryans has football and linebacker instincts...howard they had question marks about his instincts...linebacking is all about instincts and speed...but when in doubt you go with the linebacker who has the better instincts...and that's why i believe ryans will be the better linebacker
 
Porky said:
You mean like Mario Williams? :tiptoe:
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I've called him a workout warrior...but I wait to judge people based on the field, and don't just repeat second hand takes and assume the opinions of others as my own. I haven't seen him enough and trust me, I will be plenty critical of him and the Texans if he is ONLY a workout warrior long term. That first pick has zero to do with the fact that I am happy Demeco is here.
 
I actually couldn't believe he was still there for us in the second. I was hoping for a lineman and when I saw we didn't get one I was mad then I realized who this dude was and was so happy.
 
Vinny said:
I've called him a workout warrior...but I wait to judge people based on the field, and don't just repeat second hand takes and assume the opinions of others as my own. I haven't seen him enough and trust me, I will be plenty critical of him and the Texans if he is ONLY a workout warrior long term. That first pick has zero to do with the fact that I am happy Demeco is here.
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Sure, we have to wait to judge all of them on the field, Ryans included. I also see Ryans as sort of a poor man's Vilma. I think Vilma is the better player long term, but it's not as if Ryans won't be a solid LB, as I do think he will be. I am talking about their college portfolio, where the Texans have had a habit of picking based on potential, measurables, and combine performance as much or more, than actual production on the field in College. After Mario, it seems they picked football players this year, not guys who look great in shorts, track stars, or athletes with no position (Lord anyone?) I hope this trend continues, and I think Kubiak is the key difference.
 
I like the guy not just as a football player but as a person. That will take him a long way.
 
gtexan02 said:
What about Williams? He has some of the most amazing measureables ever seen in a DE, but lacks that natural instict, they hope to coach
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I'm not sure where you heard this, but all I have heard about Williams is the opposite. Coaches are saying that Williams has natural instincts that you just can't coach. :confused:
 
Pro Football Weekly Draft Report had Ryans No. 4 OLB in draft, and projected to be drafted in rounds 1-2. They had Howard No. 6 OLB and second round projection.
Sporting News had Ryans No. 3 OLB in draft and going in first round. They had Howard NO. 4 and going in second round.
Street and Smith Draft Report had Ryans No. 3 OLB and Howard NO. 6.
ESPN had Ryans No. 3 and going in Round 1 whlie Howard was No. 7 and going in Round 2.
So all these publications had Ryans ahead of Howard.
 
Tejaspro said:
I'm not sure where you heard this, but all I have heard about Williams is the opposite. Coaches are saying that Williams has natural instincts that you just can't coach. :confused:
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Everything I read about Williams says that he is "raw," posses incredible measureables, but often relies on his athleticism rather than technique
 
Porky said:
Sure, we have to wait to judge all of them on the field, Ryans included. I also see Ryans as sort of a poor man's Vilma.
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I've seen Bama play enough to not call him a poor man's anything. He was always the best player on the field.
 
If you saw Alabama and UTEP play this year you can see who the better player was. Ryans was the main reason Texas Tech couldn't do anything against Bama in the Cotton. For a guy who does have that great of measurables he sure made things happen.

Howard is a heck of an athlete but not as pure of a linebacker as Ryans. I think Howard would fit into the weak side outside linebacker in the 3-4.

After seeing Ryans play early in the year, I was hoping the Texans would get him but I didn't get the same feeling with Howard.
 
Ryans is solid, and I did not really want him with some of the player's still on the board. The fact that he can play all 3 LB positions makes him very valuable, and like Vinny said I am hard pressed to see him not see the field on opening day as the starter at MLB. The kid is that smart and he will pick up Smith's system quickly.
 
gtexan02 said:
Everything I read about Williams says that he is "raw," posses incredible measureables, but often relies on his athleticism rather than technique
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I think they said this about Peppers also. But YOU can't teach great athleticism. He just turned 21 & alot of coaches said that this is a bright young man! He will learn with coach Richard ( who coined the term "house Of Pain" in the glory days of the Oilers) Smith! I can't wait to see him next season!
 
Howard is faster and I think maybe a bit bigger, but has the instincts of a UDFA. Ryans is versatile plays with heart, and is agressive. We made the right choice.
 
Vinny said:
Good post and I agree fully. I was so very happy with the Ryans pick. He has a Jon Vilma-like game and I watch many SEC contests....I personally think we need more guys like this and less guys who have "ideal measurables" but need time to work on their game.
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I think we should implement a draft a SEC defensive player every year rule. They come out with some of the best players each draft. Just hard nose, knock the snot out of you players.
 
Superb measurables and no instincts versus average measurables and superb instincts...

Not a very difficult decision...
 
I've seen Thomas a lot this year being that I am a season ticket holder at UTEP, but to be honest, Thomas didn't impress me the whole year. There are games I thought he was lights out, then there were others that I thought he made bonehead plays. He is fast and all of that, but may lack a bit upstairs. I havn't kept up with Ryans to compare them equally, but you'd think I'd be a little biased towards Thomas. In reality though, I see Thomas as a good athlete, not a great football player. 2 things stand out about him: He can close really good. His run support to read the play isn't good.
 
I was able to see both of them play and while Howard look like he has about 32 inch was I was NOT impressed with his LB skill. He has enough speed to out run his mistake instinct mistakes.

Ryans on the other hand is about as opposite to this as possible. He is an average athelete, but has superior ability to read plays and plays faster than he times. Mush a football player that pure athlete.

How does this translate to the NFL? We will see.
 
I believe Ryans can be one of the better rookies of the year. Really good instincts. Kinda like Tatupu last year.
 
let me tell ya'll something about demeco ryans...i was at the cotton bowl this january to see texas tech play alabama...i came into that game knowing how good the bama defense was and that ryans was the best player on that defense...however i thought that tech would clean house seeing how bama was not used to a high power offense like ours...demeco not only shut down our running game (yes we do have one) but all of our screens or shuttle passes and our short crossing routes...this linebacker basically stuffed our offense...when he blitzed he always messed with the timing of our QB...he ended up knocking out hodges for a couple of series there...anyone who thinks thomas howard is a better linebacker than demeco ryans just hasn't seen enough football of these two guys...IMO ryans was the third best pure OLB...i had him behind hawk and greenway...i have him above ernie sims just because sims has a ton of concussions and i personally believe sims will have a short career...otherwise ryans would be 4th on my list...then i had carpenter and i still believe rocky mcintosh will be better than howard but if that's not enough let me pull up their individual senior year stats:

Ryans: 76 tackles (9.5 tfl) 3.5 sacks 1 int 2 fumble recoveries 1 forced fumble 2 pass break-ups

Howard: 85 tackles (7 tfl) 3 sacks 1 int 1 fumble recovery 7 pass break-ups

i got these stats from each player's school stat page...although howard has more tackles remember that ryans was playing with a better overall team...more of his teammates made plays...another thing to keep in mind...ryans was voted SEC defensive player of the year and it wasn't even a close race...everyone in the SEC knew he was the best defensive player period...howard can't say the same with his conference
 
keyfro said:
i got these stats from each player's school stat page...although howard has more tackles remember that ryans was playing with a better overall team...more of his teammates made plays...another thing to keep in mind...ryans was voted SEC defensive player of the year and it wasn't even a close race...everyone in the SEC knew he was the best defensive player period...howard can't say the same with his conference
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Better defenses have less snaps too. They get off the field quicker. Ask Jay Forman that. :hides:
 
gtexan02 said:
Everything I read about Williams says that he is "raw," posses incredible measureables, but often relies on his athleticism rather than technique
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I have also heard this and I don't disagree. What I was alluding to was his "natural instinct" which can't be taught. What I heard was that he had the instincts that can't be taught, but hasn't been taught the techniques to help utilize his talent.
 
I can't say i can offer a lot of inspirational facts or insightful gridiron observations.... but i can tell you this...
I am an LSU grad... and watching LSU vs Bama (we hate 'em) the last couple of years.... Demeco Ryans ate our lunch!!!.... then spit it out, added some nails, thumbtacks & lava and ate it again! :hides:
 
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