I’ve stood on the sidelines at the Eagles practices with my eyes fixed on number 59, DeMeco Ryans, the Eagles new starting middle linebacker. I’ve waited for him to explode from one point to another and unload on somebody.
I saw something in one of the preseason games. I saw Ryans come out of his middle linebacker position and attack a crossing wide receiver. It happened to be a guy who couldn’t run. He tackled him for no gain on a third down, which impressed me, but for the most part I haven’t seen much from number 59.
In comparison, I can go out there on any day on any play and see that explosiveness from rookie outside linebacker Mychal Kendricks.
Despite the unimpressive performances, Ryans seems to be cool and calm when talking to the media about his lackluster play. During my time in and around the NFL, I’ve seen great players go through the motions during preseason and then show up big time once the regular season begins.
Because of that knowledge, I have stood back and decided to give Ryans more time until the season starts before making a judgement about him. But coaches don’t like to rotate what they are better players with lesser players. If a player shows them he is their best football player, then they want him on the field as much as possible and won’t be rotating him.
When I learned today at the Nova Care Complex that all the Eagles linebackers are going to playing in different packages on Sunday. I started thinking that maybe I wasn’t the only one waiting for Ryans to impress me.
“We had success with [using linebackers situationally] toward the end of last year. Guys know their role and can focus in on it. They’re all interchangeable, which is a good thing. They all know each other’s position and have gotten reps at all the positions,” Eagles head coach Reid said.
Let me translate. “We’re not sure which one of our linebackers fit best in certain situations, so we’re going to give them the chance to show us what they can do at the beginning of the season”.
Reid doesn’t blast his players in the media, so he had nothing but positive things to say about Ryans today.
“I’ve been very happy with DeMeco. I’m giving everybody an opportunity,” Reid said.
Ryans was supposed to be a three-down linebacker for the Eagles and the fact that they will be taking him off the field says they’re not happy with what they have seen so far. It could change when the season starts, but that’s no guarantee.
They’ll have another group of linebackers on the field during their goalline packages.
Packages are personnel groupings for different situations which come up during the game.
On another note, the Eagles offense will be making Browns defensive coordinator Dick Juaron’s head swim with different personnel groupings or packages.
G-Cobb, you know, I know, the Eagles know and the Texans knew. He cant play anymore. The Eagles got fleeced. I dont want to hear he didnt try to make a play in the preseason that is ridiculous. I hope Im wrong but if thats the case I saw #47 Ryan Rau all over the field at MLB.
I love ya G but its waay too soon to make a call on D.R. Like you said some vets take it very easy in the preseason. Hes one of them. Some don’t even play much in the preseason. RMoss caught 1 pass this past preseason, the last time he did that he set the NFL record for TDs as a WR (With the Pats) so lets not over blow this please. Its the last thing we should be concerned with. D.R is a veteran player that is 28 yrs old looking to conserve his health and energy for the season, Hes still picking up on a new defense but I believe hes comfortable enough to make a impact. Im looking forward to seeing that this sunday against the browns. My score 35-10 Birdgang
Another thing, keep in mind that he never was known as a guy with blazing speed, he ran a 4.65 at the combine. Hes known for being in the right place at the right time and making tackles all over the field. Hes instinctive and a sure tackle, not a blazer and never was known as one coming out of Bama so guys need to relax including you G, you should know better than any of us..
The jury is still out on whether or not this was a quality pick-up, but what is clearer is how the Eagles view DR. With the Eagles, their actions have always spoke louder than their words. If DR isn’t on the field all 3-downs, then they’re not fully satisfied with what they’ve seen from him so far.
told ya
We’ll be alright.
Teams know our failed offensive line coach turned d coordinator needs time, so they won’t do hurry ups and give em time to get these different packages on the field.
Juan says he’s looking for the kids “to get better” as the year goes by which translates to another horrible first quarter of the season. “Time’s your’s”.
Hmmm All Pro corner Namdi come here and all of a sudden cant play and now Ryans. Probably has nothing to do with Juan Castillo and how is running this defense.
I stated when they got RyAns that he was weak in pass defense and that he would not be a 3 down LB in fact I stated he will be a 1 year player and I stand by my statement
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Paul what r u talking about? After 4 PRESEASON games you come away with this? Again, like you always do, state as many negatives as you can so eventually something will stick. Its common knowledge that D.R isnt all that fast as i wrote above and also that vets do not play incredibly hard during the preseason. What does D.R have to prove during the preseason? Ray Lewis, Patrick Willis, Clay Matthews, do you think they care about the preseason? Did you hear any of there names mentioned during preseason as standouts? No. D.R coming into a new defense was just trying to get a live game feel for the defense. Thats it. Now I guarantee if D.R comes away with 10 tackles this sunday you among many others will state what he didnt do.
BTW everyone is comparing what D.R did to what Kendricks did in preseason. Does that even make sense? You have a seasoned Vet/probowler, then a unproven rookie fighting to make the team and name for himself. Two totally different situations. You guys gotta calm down, our first game of meaning is tmrw at 1pm. Let things play out and quit rushing to judgement. This charge was led by paul who doesnt even reside in philly he lives in the boones, probably wont even get the game on tv there and its nationally televised haha sheesh
I’m suspicious of a guy who doesn’t play hard in his first preseason with a new team, especially if lackadaisical play forces the coach to make him a 2 down player. We’ll see over the next few weeks, but I have visions of running backs gashing our defense like last year.
Joe Hart?
Shouldn’t Demeco Ryan be better than Kendricks at this stage?
I would have thought the DeMeco Ryans afteer getting discarded from his former Team would have come out a aguns a blazing this Pre-season to show everyone he still has it.. I am not saying he’s a bad player, but at this stage of his career, he’s a step about Chaney and above average.. The notion that he’s anywhere in the Top 15 MLb or Inside LB is comical for he defintely is not the player he was pre-injury back in 2009.. He lost his job to a 2nd Year Lb and makes $5 Million + so this will be his only year in Philly like they did with Takeo Spikes, like Will Witherspoon, Ernie Simes, Ally hyped up players like Ryans was as being the answer.. If he plays well, the Eagles will ask for him to renegoitiate his COntract, if he’s average or a part-time LB, then he’s a goner .. Ryans will not be on the field in obvious Passing situations for he is a liabilty
I second ryan rau .. the guy was everywhere.. He was everything casey mathews was supposed to be.
Songs, whoever thinks Kendricks is better as a rookie than D.R should have there heads checked. Just because Kendricks can run faster than him doesnt mean hes better. Speed is good but its not everything. All this said, they havent even played a game that counts. And again Kendricks is a rookie battling for a job, he didnt want to be cut or a practice squad player so yes he came out with alot more fire than D.R had. D.R has very little to prove in the preseason haha. Lets not get carried away with it.
Paul, your being extremely disrespectful. So you can name 15 MLBs better than D.R? Start naming them. Your just talking crap now as usual. Hes a 28 yr old seasoned vet probowler. He has nothing to prove during the preseason! Golly, you guys are like vultures just waiting. Wow you said hes just above average? Come back on here when your proven wrong as usual and take back your words because in just a few hours the games that count will be taking place. His impact may not take place right away learning in this wide9 alignment, its difficult for any LB and Safety to make a play but D.R will figure it out. Hes unlike any other LB theyve brought in here.
21 million under the cap and we stll have questions at LB. hmmmm. But on the other hand Ike Reese stated that Ray Lewis couldnt be successful in the Wide 9. He said the reason Lewis is a HOF is b/c the tackles in front of him would hold up the olineman allowing him to make plays. In this defense our tackles let the guard and centers who out weigh them by 50-70lbs get to our LBs and our LBs dont have a chance. If they do get off the block how long before they wear down? Sounds like no MLB can flourish in this defense.
My question to the Eagles would be why cant we play a defense that is good against the run and pass? lol. Is that asking to much?
Jon, Paul talks out his ass constantly
Havacigar, yeah I know he does but when someone says a guy like D.Ryans is washed up and just above average I take offense to that. The reg season game starts in 20min from when im writing this yet this dude is trying to build an argument off of preseason play. Get outta here
I may talk out of my ass on occastion, but when you check my statements and analysiso onplayers and teams, I am more often spot on that not.. I am not saying Ryans is washed up, I am saying he is not an elite LB and hasn’t been since 2009 which is an eternity in Football ..He is average and a 2 Down LB and will be on the sidelines in most passing situations…
how many Teams have good Defenses versus the Run and Pass besides the 49ers and even the Ravens,Steelers,PAts,Giants Defenses give up a lot of yardss but they tighten up in the Red-Zone and force FG’s and not TD’s which the Eagles Defense has beeen unable to do for the last 5 Years and is teir achilles heel
Lol I just saw the washed up dude make 2 tackles for losses
Looks like D Ryans can still play good to me!!!
Paul is clueless and is eating his words as we speak. 1. All Ryans been doing all game long is make plays and 2. hes been on the field for all 3 downs haha paul give it up man. Yeah hes average right? haha
I have been a defender of Vick but his decision making and play has been god awful. Nnamdi and Demeco are ballin.
Refs are horrible @ best!!!
Against one of the worst Offense’s and a Rookie QB (Weeden) and a RB (Ricahrdson) who is seeing his first action.. Brown have no True #1 or #2 WR’s or TE’s to have to worry about either.. I am gald the Defense is looking good, but hell they should, the Browns may have the worst Offense in the entire NFL this Season