DeMeco Ryans' message to defense: 'Do your job'
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
DeMeco Ryans' message to defense: 'Do your job'
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
DeMeco Ryans was brought to Philadelphia, in part, to be a leader on the defense. So after the Eagles lost two fourth-quarter leads and saw their coordinator fired, what did Ryans say to his defensive teammates?
"Do your job," Ryans said. "As players, that's what you do. You do your job. Don't overanalyze and try to do too much. Go out and do what they brought you here for. If every man does your job, there aren't any problems."
Ryans said Juan Castillo's decision was "Andy's decision," referencing coach Andy Reid. He said in-season moves don't surprise him anymore, and he tries not to pay too much attention to it. But he did praise Bowles and says he likes it when coaches are former players.
"Todd's always giving me pointers and keys of how he thinks offenses are going to attack us," Ryans said. "It's good having him in there, a former player, someone who's done it before."
TENNANT ARRIVES
Matt Tennant wasn't unemployed. The center was released by the Patriots on Saturday while the Patriots sought depth at other positions and said with the Eagles on Tuesday. Tennant was starting to meet players and learn the playbook on Wednesday.
"Everything is similar," Tennant said. "It's just the way they call it a little differently."
Tennant also does not anticipate a big adjustment learning offensive line coach Howard Mudd's requirements for an offensive line.
"I've done it before," Tennant said.
See ya Dallas Reynolds
— oharabri- the problem with Ryans message is,, Juan was not letting them by calling "prevent d" plays,, and we all know what prevent D will do! yep,, that's right! it prevents you from winning! Ryans is a beast! i'm looking forward to seeing how Bowles uses all this tallent!— 14 years of
- Ryans can play. Hendricks looks like he can play. McCoy can play if they gave him a chance. 19 more and they have a shot.— dlivesay
- Isn't anyone else worried that Bowles has never been an NFL D-coordinator either?— dcm220
- Nope. Bowles pulled off a 2-1 record as the Dolphins Head Coach last year...clearly he's been faced with larger, more daunting tasks.— CaptAwesome
- Nobody has been a D-coord until someone gives them an opportunity.— bobf876
- Excellent response. That's always been the way I saw it also in response to those who are skeptical. Nobody's ever been a Head Coach(Reid, et al), or an OC or anything else you could name until someone gave them the opportunity. — essell
- Yeah they had Dick Juron and now he's the DC for the Bears....maybe had too much knowledge.— John Dealoni
- It will go down as the 8-8 year that Lurie has to make a decision. Sell beer and hotdogs while leaving the program in place, or.... Bring in a new staff to bring a game plan that wins for this team. Guess who would be the odd man out? Yep, Andy. Take a guess who goes with him? Yep, Vick. Enjoy what you can of the season...— stardog
- Matty Ice's college center. Well, at least they'll get to say hello after the game. If we're really lucky he'll replace Reynolds sooner than later.— drbob1
- So what if he hasn't been DC yet --he was never an O-line coach either...— phillipkatz
- CaptAwesome- Good point, but maybe his 2-1 was fools gold!— TarHeel Eagle
- Does someone really have to tell professional football players to do their job? Don't they know that already? If Bowles doesn't have the ability to adjust his defense as necessary, he'll be gone at the end of the year just like Reid.— Ron T
- Bowles is going to need several games to straighten out this mess. I'm willing to give him that time. It wouldn't be his fault that he's thrown into a clusterf... created by the Round Mound. It's too late in the season to install his own scheme so he's forced to tinker and tweet the "wide nine" installed by the ex-OL/DC coach. — essell
