When the Storm Hits, We Rise | Iron Sharpens Iron Ep. 6

When the Storm Hits, We Rise | Iron Sharpens Iron Ep. 6

Storms are going to hit you in life. When you go through the storm, are you coming out stronger or are you getting ripped apart by the storm? You got to remain resilient. You got to remain strong through it. And it really tests your character to see who are you truly as a man. Hey, let me remind you what you think. When I hit him, you compete. I was just telling guys to just keep going, keep motivating them to keep sharpening their skills cuz as the season goes on, you can only get better. block just the side and we are ready to rock things in in our careers you know that prepared us for these moments so uh it’s all about going forward and staying confident DJ firing downfield to his left caught by Collins 15 10 5 touchdown you know the play you are week one you’re a completely different player when you go to like week 10 or so the biggest thing is just keep chopping wood which is something that I I play by and eventually everything’s just going to start falling through it is over. Houston drops to 0 and3 for the first time since 2020. It’s the Texans and the Titans. And there is no love lost here. Thinking back at the moments of this rivalry when the Texans had to deal with Steve McNair. When you had the Texans traveling up to Nashville to face the Titans in Oiler uniforms to the tension that went beyond chippiness. culminating in the Courtland Finnegan Andre Johnson fight. Flags come down. Oh, there’s punching now. Yeah, Finnegan. And in recent years, battles for division supremacy. This rivalry has a bit of everything. Everybody talks about the fight in my 12 years of of playing against the Titans. Every time we played against them, it was always a battle. As far as the Titans go, this is the former Oilers you were playing. So, there’s a little bit extra. And there always was from the very beginning. Houston and the people that live in the city of Houston have an unbelievably deep connection to Houston football. All these guys that lived and played in Houston and have memories for people in the city of Houston growing up in those formative years that they love and they cherish. So there is a deeper connection whether you want to admit it or not. No, it’s it’s a game where you throw the records away. You understand even if you’re not from Texas, even if you’re not from Houston, you know you’re representing Houstononians and you know how important it is for the Houston fan base to beat the Tennessee Titans. 1616. 2 seconds to go in overtime. Here’s the snap. Here’s the spot. Here’s the kick by Fairband. Yes. Yes. Good. The Texans win. Legendary. Put those uniforms back in the trunk. The Titans are just an organization that you know here in Houston, the city doesn’t like them. And you take upon that kind of persona as a player. You talk to fans, you understand what it was like for uh the Oilers organization to be here and then them leaving and going to Tennessee. And we kind of had that same feeling throughout the locker room. We don’t we don’t like them. We don’t mess with them. And here’s Miller over right guard. Has a little room. Breaks a tackle. 10 15. He’s going to go all the way. Touchdown Houston. I’m to this day I don’t like that team and I’m very thankful, very happy, very It’s always a great day when you beat beat beat up on a Titan. Collins quick drop. He sack fumbles the football and it’s picked up by Ryan across the 20 15 10 rock and roll. Touchdown Houston. When you look at the history of the Houston Texans, we’ve had a lot of great players. Hall of Famer Andre Johnson, soon to be Hall of Famer JJ Watt, to name a couple. And there’s so many more. But I always thought Demo Ryan was the best player leader the Texans had ever had because he just had that effect on people. People gravitated to him. When Demo got to the Houston Texans in 2006, you knew immediately he was a leader. From day one, this guy when he came in as a rookie, he had that leadership. He had that maturity. opportunity of lifetime. Opportunity of lifetime right now. He’s a special player. Some people just have a nose for the football. Drop the ball. You get to a team. Everybody kind of falls in place and you know your role on that team. My role in that team wasn’t to be the leader of this team. My role was to be the leader of the secondary. We already had a leader of this team which was De Mo Ryan. Pick a game up. Give me everything you got right now. Sell out. Sell out for each other right now. But I love that there’s this history with Demo Ryan being a leader as a player and now the leader as head coach of the team. Hey, I’m back, baby. All right, 12. Big plays. Big plays. Big plays all day, baby. It’s going to be you. A Let’s go, dog. Let’s go. Going to be a great day. Big day, folk day. Great day. Great day, baby. Have some fun. Yes, sir. This afternoon, it’s a battle of AFC South rivals as the Houston Texans take on the Tennessee Titans. Both teams looking for their first win of the 2025 season. It is about us. I don’t care what they run. I don’t care what we call. It is about you. Oh man. Finish every snap. Finish. Finish. Finish. Finish. On your turn. Dominate big dog. I think the same reason that he was able to be a leader of guys when he was a teammate. It’s the same reason why he’s able to be a leader of players. Now, as a coach, he just has the traits and the demeanor and the characteristics of a leader. Build the text. What up? What up? What up? What up? What up? What up? Hey, tell the boy shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Hey, tell the boy we here. We here. We here. We here. We here. We here. Hey, everybody. It’s all you. It’s all you. It’s our right now. Right now. The Texans will battle the Tennessee Titans today. Both teams 0 and3. and are just aching for victory number one before heading to Baltimore next week. Let’s start fast, baby. Start fast on the details every snap. Let’s start fast. And we are ready to rock in Htown. Here’s the opening kickoff. Takes it over the 5 10 15 20 25 left sideline in front of the bench. Big hit. Hey, that’s how you start it off, baby. We got to go get a yard, man. Sneak it and knock these dudes off the ball. Oh, we got to be able to go get a yard. Straoud will sneak it. He’s got it easily. Oh, take that. We got that all day. Let’s go. Here we go. Field goal. Field goal. Field goal. Nice job, Kale. Nice job. Nice job. Break Ben with the snap. Taps it with the hold. Here’s Edy’s kick up and he drops it in. Yeah, just keep the mindset. Um, just going down to score. We was driving the ball, making good plays. Um, we came out with three points, but that’s not what we settle for. want to go down, score, get in with Straoud under center, fakes the give, boots out to the left, squares up, throws, and he’s got a wide open. Let’s go. Run him over. Let’s go. Marks to his right. Hand off. Woody gets a block, gets the edge left side 40, cuts inside 35. Spin move down to the 30 yd line. He’s doing a good job though. I like the way that looks. Giving us some juice in the run game. That looks good. Here comes Fairbear to try to make it 6 nothing. 43 yd attempt left hash mark. Fair baron. Here’s the spot. Here’s Amy’s kick. It is good. And he’s two for two. Nice job. Got points. Nice job. Nice job. Ward in the pocket. Ward quick throw left side and wide of a conquo. Nope. Nope. Third and long. Let’s go. Third and 14. Middle of the field. talk about how you were able to like do a variety of moves to eventually get to to Cam Ward on Sunday. I mean, the biggest thing is just being able to affect the quarterback in any way possible. Ward in trouble. He’s going to go down. A sack inside the 35 yd line by Denil Hunter. Got him. Got him. Got him. Let’s go. Let’s go. Got him. Let’s go. I’m so glad Tennessee showed up this week because they had two drives moving and they decide to go trick plays. I mean, the biggest thing is just going out there and executing the fundamentals, executing the game plan, making sure that we swarm to the football. You know, we want to be a great defense. So the biggest thing is just going out there and tackling everybody being where they need to be. Um rushing the passer and um the coverage in the back end go hand in hand. So that’s the main thing. You know, they they kind of kick things off. They’re they’ve been holding us up and that energy that they bring, you know, the squad they bring gives the whole team energy. Nice job. See, hey, nice job. Let’s keep wearing them out. Greatness. Let’s go. Keep wearing them out. Oh. Yeah. Yeah, we were moving the ball really well all game, you know, and the type of schemes we’re playing defensively, they’re, you know, bend don’t break, so they’re not really giving up big plays until they do. So Dre, this drive started at the 18 yd line. They’re back there with a second down and 33. CJ looking. CJ lofts the ball downfield, left up left side, and caught Nico left side. Great job. You need a first down, just go to number 12. You got You’re always searching for him, but uh it’s my job, you know, to be disciplined. take care of the football and just tell you what the defense gives me. So, Nico, you know, um being a big player gets a lot of attention and then sometimes they just forget about him and you know, they’re one-on-one. Um he ran by a guy and I just tried to give him a good shot. Um and he made a heck of a catch and you know, that kind of you know, sparked our stadium, sparked our sideline and from that point on I feel like we were just rolling. First down of the Titans 12. Straoud in the gut. Got him. Hit him. Hit him. Go score. Go score. Go score. Go score. walks to the end zone. Touchdown, Houston’s 12 yd TD pass to Woody Marks. Still, the Titans have the ball. Texans have the lead 12 nothing. Well, one thing the Texans defense has not done is taking the ball away. They’ve also not given up any points, so I’d like that to stay. But they haven’t taken the ball away. They keep trying. You go take it. Go take it. They want to keep trying. You go take the ball. Go take the ball. Three receivers wide side left. Fourman front for Houston. Ward gets the snap. Ward escapes again and last moment throws it and now it’s picked off and Stain the recipient got the pick and the Texans get the takeaway. I see you baby. Outstanding job. Outstanding. At the 24 yd line of Tennessee. Stra the gun. Nolan motion to the left. CJ looks it over. Here’s the snap. CJ looking, firing deep downfield, right side end zone. Higgins with the catch. Jaden Higgins. Touchdown, Houston. But I tell you, I tell you that you seen manto man, you know. Um, and Hig is a great route runner. You know, created a lot of separation, man coverage. So, just try to give him a play, you know, to to help him out. And, you know, uh, he did a great job of creating separation, recalling the play. Our O line did a great job blocking. And that’s the type of offense you want to be, you know, and it’s just taking time, but, you know, we have a bunch of playmakers. So, just trying to spread it out as best we can and um, you know, just learn from our mistakes in the previous weeks. But, I think, you know, that Tennessee game helped us, you know, get into the right direction on what we want to look like as a offense. First down at the 18. Hand off. Woody left side. 15-10. Oh, look at that. Oh, diving the end zone. Let’s go. His second touchdown of the day. I stayed in my landmarks on my tracks. CJ got the ball out to me. He got to actually sprint out to give me the ball. I’d say the tight ends and the receiver and the um left side of the line plus the backside getting the cut off did a great job. and I had one person to make miss. He’s been growing. You know, it’s it’s not easy, you know, to be a rookie and play, you know, a bunch, but, you know, he he’s done a great job along with Taye and Pig and J. You know, it’s something that I think, you know, he’s been preparing for for a long time. And as the week’s gone on, he’s gotten better and better and he’s getting more opportunities. So, he’s a special player and I’m I’m really glad he’s on our team. The Titans will not snap it again on fourth down. This baby’s over. The Texans have done it. They’ve won their first of 2025, knocking off Tennessee 26 to nothing. Here we go, man. Hey, hey, congratulations, man. Everybody in here, guys, the formula works, right? Offensively, we took care of the football, right? Defensively, you guys took it away. All right, we played sound up and down the field. Everybody played sound, owning the details and fundamentals of their job. That’s what wins. All right, don’t get bored with that. That’s what wins. All right, it’s hard to do this in the league. All right, but for the defense. All right, guys. To shut a team out that hasn’t been done here since 2010. So, outstanding job for the defense. All right. Hey, I love the way this team work, man. Keep stacking, fellas. Texas on three. 1 2 3 Texans. Iron sharpens iron is brought to you by Houston Methodist, the official health care provider for the Houston Texans. Season after season, our team shows us what it means to play hard and leave everything on the field. The experts at Houston Methodist have proudly cared for the Texans for more than 20 years, helping the team train and perform at the top of their game. From the pros to the rising stars in girls flag football, Houston Methodist is proud to support athletes at every level, helping fuel the future of the game. Houston Methodist, leading medicine. Switching gears to that 2018 season. Obviously, you guys went 0 and three. What was your guys’ mindset to kind of carry you throughout the rest of the season? Houston goes on the road to face Andrew Luck and the Colts. You got this Houston team has been sporadic both offensively and defensively. They they haven’t been able to move the ball offensively and defensively, which was supposed to be one of their strengths. They haven’t done a good enough job of stopping the run and and and giving up big plays. I like Indie at home. Rockus crowd. They put some numbers up. JJ Watt, those guys have to come up big, get a turnover to help that offense get some momentum. It would be the first win of the season for the Texans who currently sit at 0 and three. They do need one as the snap is m it’s loose. Who’s got it? What’s happening on the bottom of the pile? Texans have it for the touchdown. That 2018 season, they came in, they were supposed to be good. Well, they go to New England, lose to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in another close game. Week two, lose to the Titans up there. Week three, another loss. You came close but didn’t get it. Now week four, forced out of the pocket and he is sacked. It’s cloudy. It was close games that we probably should have won. We talk about it all the time. It come down to a couple plays or a couple breaks here or there. And you look at the first three games, you’re not looking at a team that’s a 0 and3 team really from a roster standpoint, coaching standpoint, all those things. And you don’t think it’s going to happen three times in a row. But you know, sometimes that can wake your team up. And I think in 2018, that’s what it did for us. So the Colts with the football once again, tough starting field position. That’s been a thing. Football is loose. Who’s got it? Duke edge of four. The man who fell on the football, but it was one who knocked it loose. It was do or die. We had no choice but to win. We knew that we had to find a way no matter what. You start out 0 and3 in this league and it’s almost a death sentence. And we are headed to overtime. It’s funny because you would think that there’s all sorts of these motivational speeches and talks, but in reality it’s you’re going to get your kicked in if you don’t. Fourth and four. How about this? Look fires low pass and it’s incomplete. Fair is ready. 37 yd kick is good. They go deep into overtime and win the game with a Fairbear kick at the buzzer. They weren’t the best team, but they were a team that had heart. That’s how you come back from 0 and3. 36-yd attempt for the victory for Fairbear. Snap is down. The kick is up. It’s got the leg and it’s good. And the Texans beat Dallas. They had a Jonathan Joseph pick six against Buffalo to pull out a game at home. 15 105 rock and roll. The Texans go in front. The vibe after a win versus the vibe after a loss is astronomically different. Mayfield downfield. This is picked off. Cunningham to his left. 2520 the 15 left sideline. 10 five and the Texans get another TD. I think when you look at the best teams that this franchise has put out on the field, it’s always been because of good coaching and players who believe in each other and have relationships on and off the field that are really fruitful. I respect the hell out of these former players. You know, I’ve seen them when I was in college growing up, watching them play, seeing the legacy that they left behind here. Me making the Hall of Fame wasn’t just about me. It was about this whole city. It was about these fans. It was about this organization. It was about my teammates. We’ve been through some incredible highs and we’ve been through some unfortunate lows, but we’ve always done it together. And we’ve always done it as one and we’ve always done it as a family. and I couldn’t be more thankful to have a family like I do here in Houston, Texas. I strive to try to be like them. Crazy work ethic with great leadership qualities and a heck of a player when the ball snaps. So, the fact that they come and they interact with us, they’re around like that stuff really means a lot. One thing about this team, they’re tight, they’re close, they love the head coach. This is a bond that’s been built over time. Where else would you rather be? Where else would you rather be? You’re right here. What did I ask you earlier this week? What did I ask you earlier this week? I said, “How great do you want to be?” How great do you want to be? When times get tough, you can look to the guy next to you and know that he’s going to be with you through that to see you through those tough times. Say pure execution, good eyes, and swarm to the mother fall. I got your back. You got my back. That’s one thing you can count on. I’m strong. I’m strong and I know you won’t be too. Everybody just kept battling no matter what happened. Love the resiliency of this team. All right. Love the way you guys fought for each other. It’s outstanding. Right. We just keep building, keep stacking, man. The foundation is there and that’s what you want. Right now, we’re leaving with a dub. No ifs, no but about it. It takes 60 minutes. The go. Hey family. 1 2 3. They built a program. Let it work.

Storms test you. They reveal who you really are.
In Episode 6 of Iron Sharpens Iron, the Texans fight through early adversity, revisit one of football’s fiercest rivalries, and rally around DeMeco Ryans’ steady leadership. From locker room rawness to historic comebacks, this is about belief, brotherhood, and building something that lasts.

00:04 – “Through the Storm”
DeMeco Ryans opens up about resilience and identity in adversity — how storms don’t break teams, they build them.

01:36 – Texans vs. Titans: Bad Blood & Legacy
Texans legends revisit iconic moments in one of football’s most emotional rivalries — from Andre Johnson’s fight to the Oilers-era roots that still fuel H-Town passion.

04:10 – DeMeco’s Blueprint
Former teammates and current players reflect on the leadership traits that made DeMeco Ryans a captain as a rookie — and how those same qualities now define him as a head coach.

05:23 – Titans Game: Finding the Spark
Mic’d up moments, sideline reactions, and C.J. Stroud’s poise under pressure — a full-circle look at how the Texans finally turned momentum into a statement win.

14:10 – Built to Withstand
A look at the Texans’ history of bounce-backs, from the 2018 season’s 0–3 turnaround to the lessons driving this year’s climb.

18:10 – Legacy & Brotherhood
Texans greats and current stars connect eras — reflecting on what it means to represent Houston, play for each other, and carry the torch forward.

19:15 – “How Great Do You Want to Be?”
DeMeco Ryans’ closing words echo through the locker room: belief, unity, and the foundation of something bigger than football.

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