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Eagletarian

Sign of respect for DeMeco Ryans

The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian

19 comments

Sign of respect for DeMeco Ryans

POSTED: Friday, April 13, 2012, 3:23 PM

Daily News staff

When the Eagles acquired DeMeco Ryans in a trade with Houston, one of the qualities often mentioned was the respect other players have for him and his leadership ability.

Another sign of that respect came today with the Texans when free agent linebacker Bradie James announced he will not wear Ryans' number.

James, who has spent his entire 9-year career with Dallas, signed with Houston. According to the Houston Chronicle, the deal is for $825,000 with a bonus of $65,000.

"Out of respect for [Ryans], I will not touch #59. I will choose another #," James tweeted.

James has worn No. 56, but that number is occupied in Houston by Texans star linebacker Brian Cushing.

He is expected to compete with Darryl Sharpton for the inside linebacker spot that had been Ryans'.

19 comments

Comments (19)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:15 PM, 04/13/2012

Sound strange to me. It's not like Ryans is a hall of famer.

— P Even

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:30 PM, 04/13/2012

It was out of Respect.

— dmanphilly

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:30 PM, 04/13/2012

It was out of Respect.

— dmanphilly

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:32 PM, 04/13/2012

It could have something to do with Dez Bryants #88 like everyone else here I hate the boys and not a fan of Irvan but i dont beleive Bryant deserves that #, also i would be PISSED if anyone came to philly thinking they were gonna wear #20 or #5.

— mamba710

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:37 PM, 04/13/2012

It's called respect P Even. That concept sounds strange to you?

— TNEaglesFan

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:42 PM, 04/13/2012

What part of respect don't you understand P even?????

— Bigmowash

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:47 PM, 04/13/2012

What part of respect don't you understand P Even?????

— Bigmowash

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:55 PM, 04/13/2012

Stupid bunch of comments. If P Even doesn't know respect, lets all show him about respect by beating the chum outta him verbally.

— joeibt

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:34 PM, 04/13/2012

it does sound wierd.players dont do this ever.why are u guys acting like dude is dumb for saying so.get a life losers.

— Sean s.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 7:12 PM, 04/13/2012

But the the point of the article IS that it is strange and the only answer is because of the respect that Ryans engendered in his former teammates. The fact of the matter is that this type of thing is reserved for team HOF players not a guy like Ryans. There are two types: The future team and NFL HOF player that will have his number retired by the team at some point or the team HOF player that has his number unofficially "retired" for awhile until the appropriate time has passed. Ryans is neither. So the question remains, why the show of respect by the new guy? The answer would seem to be that he can hear and feel how the loss of Ryans has impacted his new teammates so out of respect(and self preservation) for that relationship he is not going to wear the number.

— UncleStosh

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:00 PM, 04/13/2012

I'll give the definitive answer. Demeco is held in such high regard by Texan fans and his former teammates that Bradie James felt it wasn't respectful for him to take Demeco's number. Maybe in a couple seasons someone else will get that number but it's too soon now.

— soulman386

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:32 PM, 04/13/2012

Thanks Sean S., UncleStosh and soulman386. Finally some adult responses.

— P Even

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 11:00 PM, 04/13/2012

Still need Keuchly... put him at the Sam and let him learn from Ryans, move over in a couple years

— BuddyBall92

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 1:06 AM, 04/14/2012

I could'nt agree more,, did anyone notice the article mentioning that Ryans played with "star linebacker" Cushing.
Put Kuechly alongside Ryans and what was a major weakness becomes a strong point. We can possibly get a good/potentially great D-Tackle in the second round or even trade UP to get one. My dream scenerio is K in the first round, Trade up (using extra 2nd and whatever else) for D-tackle and then getting impact outside LB with remaining 2nd round pick.

— phillyroni

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:44 AM, 04/14/2012

All Star Linebackers do not win Super Bowls in a Passing League which now the NFL has become. No contending team wants to waste a pick, especially pick 15 on a Linebacker. None of the available linebackers will be game changing linebackers in the NFL. It makes no sense to draft a linebacker in round 1, early or with a mid teens pick.

A quality Defensive Tackle who can come in and get 45 Tackles and collapse the pocket can stiffen up the middle of the Eagles defense which was exploited early and often last year by the opponents running game.

— Dexter