Houston Texans middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans has assumed a pivotal dual role for his team as the NFL lockout stretches into its fourth month. Ryans is one of the Texans' player representatives, along with right tackle Eric Winston, responsible for keeping his teammates abreast of developments in the ongoing labor dispute. And since coaches aren't allowed to have contact with players for now, Ryans has undertaken the job of teaching new coordinator Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme to the defense -- which ranked as one of the league's worst in 2010. "I'm just doing my part, man," Ryans said with a smile. Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6711678
