Texans middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans has assumed a leadership role with the team as the NFL lockout lingers. Since coaches aren't allowed to have contact with players, Ryans has undertaken the job of teaching new coordinator Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme to the defense. "I'm just doing my part, man," Ryans said. Ryans is still recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon that sidelined him for the last 10 games of last season. He referred to a playbook during a recent defensive practice, and repeated calls to ensure that the players understood. "It's important for us to get out here and get the guys some looks at our different offensive sets, and try to do our adjusting," Ryans said. "I think we are getting more comfortable with the terminology that we're using. The more reps you get, the better you get it."

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt and Texans coach Gary Kubiak will visit troops in the Persian Gulf this summer on an NFL USO tour. The father-and-son Moras will also take part in the third annual coaches tour. Whisenhunt and Kubiak were asked to participate last summer and weren't able to, so both were thrilled to finally have the chance.

Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans doesn't believe the lockout is going to hurt the team has they attempt to learn a new defensive system. Houston hired defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and he is implementing a 3-4 scheme. Ryans told the Houston Chronicle the attention given to the transition in general and Mario Williams' move from defensive end to outside linebacker in particular, has been overblown. "I know a lot of people are concerned about it, like moving Mario, but the biggest change for most of us is learning the different terminology," Ryans said. "It's not a big difference for us inside guys at all. "I'm most excited because this defense gives us so much more flexibility. It's easier to disguise our coverages and when we're coming and not coming (after the quarterback)."

Texans running back Arian Foster has no plans to hold out when the NFL lockout ends and the league year begins again. Foster is set to make $480,000 in 2011 after being the league's most productive running back last season. John McClain of the Houston Chronicle wrote in a chat this week that Foster says he'll report to camp instead of holding out a new deal. Since Foster was an undrafted free agent, he'll be a restricted free agent in 2012.

The Texans may be looking to help find running back Steve Slaton a new home once the NFL lockout ends. Slaton was a third-round pick back in 2008 and Tony Grosi of The Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote of his value this weekend. "Slaton was a third-round pick in 2008," Grossi wrote. "I would imagine you could get him for a fourth. I'd really examine his fumble problems first, though."

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub is organizing offensive workouts to make sure that his team doesn't fall behind during the NFL lockout. "We're doing more detailed work as a group and running through the same type of practice plan that we'd be doing at Reliant," Schaub said. "We're also going to work on some situational football that helps us in crucial points in the game — like the two-minute drill, the red zone, etc." The Texans ranked third (386.6 yards) in the NFL this past season when they finished a disappointing 6-10 and fourth (383.1) in 2009 when they were 9-7 and missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker. "We've done some nice things offensively (the past two seasons), but we can become more consistent," Schaub said. "We made some great strides last year. We became more balanced because the running game improved with Arian (Foster) leading the league in rushing. "Our turnovers were down, and our red zone efficiency shot up. But we can do better."

Texans linebackers coach Reggie Herring calls the swell of speculation around Mario Williams' switch to outside linebacker an "overreaction." Houston's new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has introduced a 3-4 scheme. "There's a lot of anxiety built up for no reason," Herring said. "At the end of the day, over half the game, our outside 'backers are down in our sub package rushing outside, which is what he did anyway and has done in college."