Houston LB Ryans wins AP Defensive Rookie of Year

Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson, himself runner-up for the award in 2005 to Shawne Merriman, still can't believe Ryans wasn't drafted higher.

"How did he drop all the way to the second round? That's my question," he said. "Maybe the linebackers that went before him were bigger, maybe faster, maybe stronger, but you cut on that tape and watch the guy on the football field, that can't be denied."

Ryans said winning the award helps take some of the sting away from not being chosen in the first round.

"It does, because now you look back at it and you say: 'Who was the best defensive rookie of the 2006 class?' and you'll see DeMeco Ryans there," he said.

Ryans has not only become a star on the field, but also one of the most popular Texans off it. The affable 22-year-old, who grew up in Alabama, always makes time for the media and is never too busy to sign autographs for children.

One recent afternoon after practice, the Texans gave dozens of bikes to underprivileged children. While most players chatted with the kids for only a minute or two - and some not at all - Ryans spoke with virtually all of them while signing autographs and letting them try on his helmet.

The last one to leave, he finally tore himself away when he was in danger of being late to a meeting, but not before giving a high-five to one last little boy at the edge of the crowd.

"That was just me being me. I enjoy seeing the kids happy and making the kids smile," he said. "That was just huge for me and I wish we could do something like that back in my hometown because you don't see that too often."

Holland said Ryans is the most extraordinary player he's coached and doesn't think he's "even scratched the surface" of his potential.

"He's got some special leadership qualities about him," Holland said. "He's got that presence of getting people around him to play better. I think he also has the ability to make them better people and that's pretty unique."