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.
- Because they switched to a 3-4 last year and he's a 4-3 linebacker. We got one of the top 5 LB's in the league......just enjoy it
— daveg0101 - He's more a 4-3 guy than a 3-4 guy and he has value. They figure they can get something for him and also honor the fact that he's a good guy while placing him in a team in the opposite conference - that's my guess. Of course I want to look at this through rose-colored glasses, but I'm sure the injuries are playing into it from their end as well. I still think it's worth the risk. This guy gets mentioned in the same sentence as Joyner, Evans, and Trotter not Simoneau, Matthews, and Gaither - THAT's a true pedigree. — mx55
- We give texans our 4th round this year and swap 3 rd positions. He's recovered from his heel problem and last years' production was due to a switch from 4-3 to 3-4 defensive scheme. Maybe damaged goods to some eyes, but a beast when he was healthy and in his comfort scheme. He'll be a good move.— vegas_limodriver
- I hear that Jeremiah Trotter is working out at Lehigh with Seth Joyner, too...— BirdinParadise
- This guy on one ankle is better than the slop we have right now.
Just to clarify, I do not think Ryans is good, he is just better than what we have, which is slop.— banned_thompson - This comment has been deleted. — DogBiscuitthedope
- That's not true. When I throw my balled-up dollar bills at your mother on the stage, she cares very much.
— banned_thompson - I have to disagree with you on Ryans but the image of you throwing balled-up bills at some dude's stripper-mom made me spit out my beer. — auntesther
- Looked at his stats. Real big drop off from 2009 to last year. I know he's a need. He's a linebacker with experience that actually knows how to play the game. I just hope he is not on the downside of his career after the Achilles tendon tear. What? He had major leg injury? Right up Joe Banners alley. Bring him in.— watsonmr
- That is because he was coming of an injury and he was playing in a new defense (3-4). He is a good 4-3 LB and isn't undersized. It takes two years to get back from an Achilles tear. This guy was a beast the last 4 games of the season last year. This is a solid pickup for the Eagles and they didn't give up much. — ChrisM
- All the pieces coming together!— eaglessuck@life
- This made me SOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy! I've always loved DeMeco Ryans. He was a tackle machine before he got hurt. This is a great pick up!— kimbafuzz
- Does this mean NO Luke Kuechely?— Ace-Philadelphia
- Shouldn't you be servicing Duh Cuz somewhere? — banned_thompson
- Anyone who thinks Tebow is a good idea is nuts. The guy has a gator arm. As for this trade, this town knows all about achilles tears. Bring it. Avg move at best— PG
