How About Some Optimism About The DeMeco Ryans Deal?
BREAKING NEWS, Eagles, Linebackers, News Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
The prevailing opinion around the league is that the Eagles got the best of last week’s swap that sent a fourth-round draft pick and a swap of third-round selections to the Houston Texans in exchange for 27-year-old former All-Pro middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans. And it’s hard not to feel that way.
Ryans has been one of the best at his position since entering the league out of Alabama in 2006. He went on to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year that season, made two Pro Bowls (2007, 2009) and was All-Pro in 2007. His impressive resume speaks for itself.
By now, we all know that Ryans missed 10 games during the 2010 season due to a season-ending Achilles injury, but he bounced back to play in each of Houston’s games a year ago. We also know his production suffered, partly because he wasn’t fully recovered from the injury, but partly because of the team’s switch to a 3-4 base defense that saw Ryans on the field for approximately only half of the team’s defensive snaps.
Still, most who watched the former University of Alabama standout agreed that he became more comfortable as the season progressed. Former coaches and teammates alike have unanimously agreed that Ryans is a great team leader who will thrive on the field with the Eagles.
So what gives? Why would the Texans do a deal like this? Sure, Ryans cap number is undesirable, particularly if he isn’t ideal for what the Texans want to do on defense, but elite middle linebackers aren’t a dime a dozen.
So is there really something more to this whole deal than meets the eye?
That’s what we we here in Philadelphia do–we think worst-case scenarios.
Texans head coach Gary Kubiak tried to explain what to most appears to be a very questionable deal yesterday at the NFL owners’ meetings.
“No doubt, he played his best football for us at the end of the year, there’s no doubt about that,” Kubiak said. “Absolutely no doubt. He battled his elbow, he battled his Achilles, but at the end of the year he played his best football for us.”
One would have to assume that the Texans don’t think they traded away a complete lemon to the Eagles, but it’s still fair to wonder if they know something the rest of us don’t.
Kubiak believes that Ryans can be still be a three-down linebacker in the right fit. And it appears, at least initially, Philadelphia may provide the right fit.
Even if Ryans fails to meet the lofty expectations in terms of physical play, his communication and leadership skills are something that the Eagles sorely needed. And Kubiak has full confidence that he’ll help the Eagles in that respect.
“All you have to do is turn the film on and watch him,” Kubiak said. “He runs the show. Everybody goes to him, they trust him so much and what he’s doing. He really raised Cushing in a lot of ways. … He’s just a guy on the field that gave everybody some calm: ‘Hey, I got it under control. What are we doing? What’s our adjustment?’ DeMeco let us know we got it.”
Ultimately, there’s a bit of uncertainty regarding any trade–teams don’t know what they have until the player goes out there and does it. And this trade is no different, but you have to assume that regardless of whether or not Ryans returns to form that he’s still going to provide a significant upgrade to the play and cohesiveness of a unit that spent much of last season completely out of whack.
We tend to be skeptical and negative around here because we’ve seen this show before. We were promised playmakers with the arrival of Will Witherspoon and Takeo Spikes–it didn’t happen. But Ryans is significantly better than both of those players at this point in his career.
We tend to contain our enthusiasm because we watched Nnamdi Asomugha–the market’s slam-dunk best defensive player of a year ago get worked by Victor Cruz. We watched him commit untimely penalties. And we watched him out of position far too many times. We are a bit on edge because it’s been 52 years since the Eagles were the last team standing and because of brutal losses to St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Carolina, New England, and Arizona in championship rounds. We’ve been betrayed and stung so many times that even when something seemingly good happens, our first response is “yeah, but…”
But nothing. We have to let this go. Wounds heal. This is a good move. And it was the right to make for this team right now. Nothing is guaranteed, but we just have to enjoy the ride.
So while I get the skepticism, we have to take a collective step back from the ledge and assume that even if Ryans doesn’t return to peak form, he’s still going to provide a major boost of to this defense.
There’s a reason that the prevailing thought around the league is that the Eagles got the best of the DeMeco Ryans trade–because they probably did.
Short URL: http://gcobb.com/?p=29529
Posted by Bob Wankel
on Mar 28 2012. Filed under BREAKING NEWS, Eagles, Linebackers, News.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
jbird – I respect that last post of yours. I really do.
Jake, fair enough – but for me, I personally have a pet peeve about predictions being phrased as statements, or along with phrases like “definitely” or “I know”, or “We all know”…. “wont”…. there’s a difference between a prediction – even a bold prediction, and arrogantly stating that one knows what will happen in the future.
(Paulman is a different beast altogether, he’s ‘special’…um… ‘unique’…. but….
I got the below from philly.com
Title – The full Andy from the owners meeting….
ANY INTEREST IN PLAXICO BURRESS?
I know he and Mike (Vick) are buddies. They grew up together. I have a ton of respect for Plax. He’s had a great career. But right now, that’s now where we’re at. But that doesn’t take anything away from his game. He can still play.
So it does not look like you’ll see Plax in Eagles green…
i would take a fly on Burfict in the 5th – 6th round. But I want Jo Lon Dunbar on the strongside at LB. He can 1st get into shape,and lets see what he’s got, if he wants a job. But no risks in 5th, 6th rounds
ok- its all Burfict all the time on here. Any other trades the birds could make for a SS/FS? they know they need to add a vet. Who could the grab? Pman- whos left in FA?
Ill assume the rumors are true that they LOOKED at Hulk in FA before he landed elsewhere. Add that to the fact that they tried to draft a hitter last year…. they are shopping for a smasher. Whos out there via trade or FA?
Songs was on fire early this morning — I like Songs first comment of the day on this article
if the eagles were going to upgrade at safety why would they not have made a run at laron landry? Jets got him pretty cheap. I know the injury concern, but if he is somewhat healthy he would appear to be better than any safety we have. Makes me think they will stay put with the safties on board.
Their mistake was not pursuing and signed Dwan Landry last Free-agency who is one of the Top 3 Rated SAfeties in The NFL..
The Eagles screwed up signing ASMO and did not address the Strong Safety and LB position because they blew their wad of $$$ Amso anbd created a clluster at the CB positon insterad of updgradeing multple positions,,
Leron Landry has not played close to a full season since 2009 and is very suspect in Pass Coverage to begin with and this was before his injuries.. Eagles were smart to stay away from him
Frank – here we are having a discussion about a guy that iinjurd his Achilles in 2010 and played 16 games las year and if he is ‘damaged goods’
and then someone sasys, lets talk about Landry who injured his achilles in 2010 – decided to not get surgery but platelet tratments –
then after injuring his hamstring and his groin in 2011 – then went on IR when he was advised to get surgery on the achilles – only playing in 8 (vice 16) games
then as on JAn 2012 was using stem cells on his achilles vice getting the surgery to repair that had neen recommended……..
here is a prime example of when the front office does NOT go for the cheap – injured guy – and someone asks – well why didn’t we?
I did not have a preferance either way on Landry. It seemed to me like a guy the eagles would go after. I understand the injury issues and his lack of pass coverage. I only mentioned Landry becasue he was had on the cheap side and there seems to be a want for a hard hitter, intimidating figure..
Navy – i am all for the ryans trade. I am not so much worried about him being damaged goods. He had a full year last year and should have the ability to cut and stop with out thinking about the injury. They say it takes that full year to get over an injury like that. I am not barking becasue the eagles didnt go after Landry. Im not the biggest fan of his.. I was fun to watch him get burned by desean on that fabled monday night game. That is the lasting memory I have of him. The upgrade (if you can call it that) made me think if we didnt get a guy we can have cheap, and is preceived to be better than the guys we have, than we will stay with what we have.
Will Witherspoon played pretty well, the problem was that the Eagles consistently had 2-3 weak side LBs on the field.
I think the eagles made a great deal, will see how he plays.
I’m optimistic about the trade for him, but we still need 2 more LB’s, SS & a stud DT, & they did nothing to add to the team through FA, as of now! That’s why a lot of us are still skeptical & are saying, “OK now what!?” If they think just getting him, & the draft is going to miraculously make them a Super Bowl champion, they are sadly delusional. Minus Ryans, the LB’s are the same group of sad-sack, bunch of bums, that we had last year, & the only positive you had in Chaney, who took a step back last year, is coming off of neck surgery, on a herniated disc. So we need at least another good veteran, & at least 2 good LB draft picks. Fokou, Clayton, Jordon & Matthews can all be sent to Siberia for all I care. Rolle is OK, but can be upgraded, too.IMHO, DT is a huge problem also. We have Jenkins, Dixon off of a year ending injury, Patterson coming off of serious brain surgery & no one else. Laws sucks & won’t be back, Landri was solid, & might get overpaid by someone, & Thornton is a non-factor, camp body. We also need a good SS &/or FS.