Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Making a Texas-Sized Splash


After going relatively silent during the first few weeks of free agency, the Eagles made a big offseason transaction splash last night. Many fans were concerned and frustrated that the team didn’t make extreme efforts to sign Detroit Linebacker Steven Tulloch (who resigned with the Lions to the tune of a 5-year-deal) and weren’t hopeful of the Birds signing Atlanta’s Curtis Lofton. However, those fans’ prayers were answered as the team dealt this year’s 4th-Round Draft Pick to Houston and swapped 3rd-Round Picks with the Texans to bring Two-Time Pro-Bowler, DeMeco Ryans, to Philly.

Former Texans Captain Linebacker DeMeco Ryans will bring great Leadership to Philly
Ryans doesn’t only have an awesome first name, but he also dominated in the middle of Houston’s defense for his first 5 seasons in the NFL. After earning the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2006, Ryans followed that 156 tackle season with 3-straight 100+ tackle seasons from 2007-2009. Then, unfortunately for Number 59, Ryans tore his ACL 6 games into the 2010 season and then recovered in time for 2011 only to discover that the team switched their defense from a 4-3 to a 3-4 system. Not surprisingly, Ryans struggled last season, barely coming close to finishing 100 tackles.

Now, after reading those last two sentences, you may be as dubious as John Elway is about Tim Tebow as an NFL Starting Quarterback about Ryans’ potential success in Philly. If you are doubting Ryans, the first thing you need to realize is this: He’s either replacing Jamar Chaney, Brian Roll, Moises Fokou or Akeem Jordan in the starting linebacker corps for the Eagles this season. That’s like Chris Christie replacing the Senior Class President of Lower Merion High School.

Ryans’ talent is above and beyond any talent that any other Eagles Linebacker possess and he truly embodies incredible leadership qualities. In Houston, Ryans’ nickname was “Cap”, which was short for Captain. If that doesn’t speak highly enough for his teammates’ respect for him as a leader, you must see some of Ryans’ former Houston teammates’ tweets about the Alabama product.

Texan’s Sarting Quarterback, Matt Schaub (@MSchaub8), tweeted: “Really tough to see @DRyans59 go. True leader on & off the field. Gr8 player & person who represented Htown to the upmost”. Ryan’s former fellow Linebacker, Brian Cushing ( @briancushing56), tweeted: “I wouldn't be half the player or person I am today without @DRyans59 this one hurts. Philly got a unbelievable player and leader today” as well.

In addition, take a look at Ryans’ numbers. Following his 4-straight 100 tackle seasons. Ryan’s totaled 64 tackles in 6 Regular Season games. That’s over 10 tackles a game. He was on pace for his best season ever before his ACL injury. That injury also takes about two years to fully recover from. Knowing that, Ryans was also in an uncomfortable 3-4 system while not playing at 100% last season. This year, he’s had another offseason to recover and will be back playing in a 4-3 system that he has thrived in. Ryans will also bring outstanding leadership to an Eagles defense that hasn’t had a leader on its defense since Brian Dawkins left.

This trade massively improves one of biggest weaknesses of the Eagles’ roster, and I’m very excited for the impact DeMeco will have this season and for many more seasons to come. However, I’d also like to see the Birds look to improve their Outside Linebackers through the draft as well. Welcome to Philly Mr. Ryans. I’m sure you’ll play hard and the Birds faithful will love you to death.