New quarterbacks coach brings experience to the role
Ryan held same job with Giants during 2012-13 seasons
A new role for Sean Ryan in the Texans’ coaching system is anything but for the 45-year-old entering his 10th NFL season.
Ryan shifted from wide receivers to quarterbacks in January, following an offseason shake-up that saw former offensive coordinator George Godsey and the team part ways and a number of assistants move up the ranks.
While this will be Ryan’s first year in charge of the quarterbacks, and second with the organization, he’s not unfamiliar with the job. In nine seasons with the New York Giants, Ryan spent 2012 and 2013 as quarterbacks coach — experience he said has already helped during his recent transition.
“I feel pretty comfortable in the quarterback role,” Ryan said. “I think I’m just prepared for the different issues that come up for those guys. … It was a natural move for me, and having the few years in New York as experience has been really helpful.”
Different, though, is the talent Ryan is tasked with molding and managing.
Trio of charges
Instead of perennial starter and two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning, Ryan is busy preparing three players — Tom Savage, veteran Brandon Weeden and rookie first-round pick Deshaun Watson — for whatever role they might find themselves during the season.
“All three guys can throw the ball very well. They all have the arm strength, make all the necessary throws — I’ve really enjoyed (coaching them),” Ryan said. “I think all of them have worked well together. There’s never an issue in the room, they work hard, they’re diligent, and they’re great to talk to. There’s a lot of good football conversations that go on in there, so I’ve enjoyed it on and off the field.”
Texans coach Bill O’Brien has made clear that Savage will get the starting gig, replacing Brock Osweiler, who was dealt to Cleveland in March after finishing the 2016 season with 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
Savage has two career NFL starts under his belt and has yet to throw a touchdown as a pro, but Ryan said the 2014 fourthround pick has a strong understanding of the offense.
“(Savage has) just come in with a very down-to-earth work ethic,” Ryan said. “I think he’s just coming in every day saying, ‘You know what, I’m going to work to get better, I’m going to work to have an even greater understanding of the offense, a greater understanding of defenses and what they’re trying to do to us and how that affects my job.’ He can really lead the offense, and I’ve been impressed by him.”
Ryan said his approach in leading his quarterbacks has not changed in the face of a relatively young receiving corps, and he continues to drive home a meticulous attention to detail when running plays and trying new things.
Watson makes an impression
In his first NFL workouts, Watson — who led Clemson to the national championship earlier this year — has done a good job of learning from his more experienced peers.
“If (Watson) has got a question, he’s going to ask it,” Ryan said. “But he also has been feeling things out and knowing when to interject and when to listen and learn, and I think he’s got a really good feel for that.
“He’s doing a great job of taking on all the different information that he needs to know, which is a huge amount. He’s really studying and he’s working at it. It’s a work in progress — like every rookie is, like everybody is right now — and we’re just plugging along.”