Eagles trade for LB Ryans
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Eagles trade for LB Ryans
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles acquired former Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans in exchange for a fourth round draft pick and a swap of third round picks, sources confirmed Tuesday.
The Eagles, who had two fourth round selections in the upcoming draft, gave Houston their fourth pick in that round to get Ryans. The Texans also got the 77th overall pick while the Eagles now select 89th in the exchange of third rounders.
The team later officially announced the trade. Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com first reported the news.
The trade for Ryans gives the Eagles the legitimate starting middle linebacker they sorely lacked a year ago. The 27-year-old was a two-time Pro Bowl player early in his career (2007, 2009), but he ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2010.
He got off to a slow start last season and took some time getting used to playing in a newly-implemented 3-4 scheme, but he showed signs of his old self late in the year. Still, Ryans said he felt out of place in a 3-4. Now he gets his chance to move back into the middle alone.
He will have to pass a physical with the Eagles on Wednesday, however, for the trade to go through. Ryans is slated to earn approximately $12 million in base salary over the next two seasons.
"DeMeco is a proven Pro Bowl linebacker in this league and we’re excited to be able to plug him into the middle of our defense,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He’s been the signal caller and a leader on a very good Texans defense for the last several years. He’s a tough, instinctive football player and he’ll be a great fit for our team."
The Eagles, expected by some to be players in free agency, took a pass on the linebackers on the market. Stephen Tulloch re-signed with Detroit today. Curtis Lofton remains unsigned. David Hawthorne and London Fletcher are also still available.
But the Eagles chose another route to get the linebacker that many thought they needed in the middle of their defense. They started training camp with rookie Casey Matthews in the middle, but he lost that job early in the season. Jamar Chaney slid over from strong-side into the middle and continued to play all three downs, but he lost playing time as the season wore on.
With the 6-foot-1, 248-pound Ryans on board, Chaney will likely move back to strong-side. Rookie Brian Rolle ended last season as the starting weak-side linebacker. Adding Ryans won't likely preclude the Eagles from addressing linebacker in the draft, although it is unlikely they'll expend a first-round pick at the position.
Ryans, originally a second-round draft pick in 2006, started in his first game as a pro and didn't miss a start for 70 games until he blew out his Achilles in 2010. He was a team captain starting in 2010. Ryans leaves Houston as the franchise's all-time leader with 637 tackles while also contributing eight sacks, six forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and two interceptions in his six-year career.
"We're thrilled to be able to add a young and productive linebacker in DeMeco Ryans," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. "We'd like to thank [Houston general manager] Rick Smith and the Texans. Once we found out that he could be available to us in a trade, we quickly found a way to work together to produce a good outcome for both teams."
After Ryans' physical -- should he pass -- he will meet with the media at the NovaCare Complex along with Reid and Roseman.
Ruptured Achilles before last season..... Great move another washed up LB— eaglessuperfan- Another dopey post — DogBiscuitthedope
- Yet he played (oh, and STARTED) all 16 games last year and with the exception of 2011 he has played and started every game in his career! Named Rookie of the Year (2006), All Pro (2007), and to the Pro Bowl (2007 & 2009)! Washed up after five seasons. Yeah, right!
Change your name to eaglessuperEeyore as you simply can't find good news in anything the team does! (please Google Winnie-the-Pooh if you don't know what I'm talking about)!— gdibig - He played every game last year, and had 64 tackles!!
No kidding, KURT COLEMAN had a better year than Ryans.
Some of these Eagle fans.....keep drinking that Green Kool-aide— banned_thompson - It takes two years to come back from that injury nitwit. The last four games of last season he played at a probowl level. He is more suited for a 4-3 defense as well. It is hard to switch to a 3-4 defense coming back from an Achilles. He is a great fit for what Eagles do on defense and he is now in his 2nd year back from injury. Great move by the Birds and he has huge upside at only 28 years of age. — ChrisM
- And he sat the bench every time they played nickle - so he was basically on the field for 1st down and maybe occasionally 2nd down. — gdibig
- I'd roll the dice on this one. They gave up what really, a 4th rd pick? They still have the 15th pick and two 2nd rd picks. As far as Ryan's contract goes, the Texans have already paid a bulk of his guaranteed money and for what his base is, it's not that bad of a deal. Even with a bad Achilles, he's still the best Eagles LB. — CaptAwesome
- No way! This is a great trade for a 2ed or 3rd rd pick.— BigredDC
- Exactly, anyone bad mouuthing this move needs to go check themselves as intelligent Eagles Fan.
Nice Move Howie.
Funny no Joe Banner post today, Joe nust not have liked the contract . LOL !!! Kid does have a decent one.— dmanphilly - Absolutely fantastic move. Please try to tell me you'd rather have a mid-round pick (read: undersize DE) instead of Ryans, a Pro-Bowl LB perfectly suited for the 4-3? Love this trade. Now we can look for LB depth and S through the draft and re-sign McCoy and I will give the Eagles an A for the off season. Minor tweaks and upgrades but maintaining mostly the same roster which will GREATLY benefit from a full training camp. That's right people, I'm drinking the kool aid.— loudnproud
- They exceeded my expectations!— MrMiles1
- dreaaaam teaaaam— Eagles_Nation
Comment removed.- It's typical, yet shocking? — logicandreason
- It's typical, yet shocking? — logicandreason
