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.
