User:Houstontexans/50 Boyz

Referred to as the 50 Boyz[1] first by Gus Johnson of CBS Sports, the indomitable trio of DeMeco Ryans, Brian Cushing, and Zac Diles helped to establish the Houston Texans' run defense in 2009. The heart of The 50 Boyz, DeMeco Ryans(number 59) established himself immediately as the Texans' eminent linebacker after being drafted in the second round of the Texans' stellar 2006 draft(that saw them draft Owen Daniels, Eric Winston and Mario Williams)[2]. He won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and he is the heart of the 50 Boyz as he has played injured for a substantial amount of his career. However, Brian Cushing (number 56) brings a very ferocious mentality to the 50 Boyz. Drafted in the 2009 draft, Cushing came from a very distinguished group of SoCal linebackers that terrorized the PAC-10 for two seasons[3]. Cushing has brought the physicality that the Texans has yearned for, and he has established himself as the enforcer[4]. Last, Zac Diles, number 54, earned the starting job over talented linebackers Xavier Adibi and Cato June in the preseason of 2009 after playing well in 2008. A success story, Diles was drafted in the last round of the 2007 draft and was not expected to make the team. He brings finesse, hustle and intelligence to the trio. [5]