Ryans, injuries and risk
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Ryans, injuries and risk
Maybe it’s just me, or maybe it’s inherent to most reporters, but when someone makes a splashy announcement, the first question that comes to mind is almost always, “what aren’t they telling us?” Especially when the announcement seems too good to be totally true, like when a two-time Pro Bowler is added in exchange for a fourth round pick.
So after seeing the text confirming the DeMeco Ryans deal, it didn’t take long to find out about the linebacker’s torn Achilles tendon in 2010 and decreased production and playing time in 2011. It also didn't take long to see that Ryans has been a leader, a playmaker and very recently was considered one of the best young linebacker in the game. It sounds like a good chance to take, and I said as much last night.
But if last season reminded us of one lesson we should have learned long ago, it’s that there are no sure bets when it comes to players changing teams in the NFL. Nnamdi Asomugha was considered without question the best free agent on the market last summer, a Pro Bowler for three straight years before the Eagles got him. There wasn’t any free agent more highly regarded. Except fellow cornerback Johnathan Joseph wound up having the better season in Houston and Asomugha, whether it was because he was misused, adjusting to a new system or overrated, disappointed in year one, despite everything that looked right about the signing.
And that was with a safe bet.
Jason Babin, too, came with questions, the kind that more closely parallel the risk in the Ryans deal. Babin and Ryans had each seemingly defined themselves as players over multiple seasons only to have one outlier year before coming to the Eagles.
Babin had bounced around the NFL without ever really impressing, but broke out in 2010. When the Eagles signed him it was fair to have high expectations, but also to wonder if the team had landed a rotational end who had had one great season, or a Pro Bowler who had just found his stride. He gave a resoundingly positive answer in 2011.
Babin’s story is a rare one, though. Most often when a career changes significantly, it’s for the worse, either because of age, injuries or a weakness that gets exposed and exploited. Ryans, we all know by now, suffered the kind of injury that can derail a career. Last season, his first one back, he played every game, but in a new system – the 3-4 instead of the 4-3 – and wasn’t nearly as productive as before. Was it the change in system that affected him? Or the injury? Ryans was taken off the field for nickel downs, which explains his drop off in tackles, but raises the question of why the Texans felt he was only suited to a limited role. (Fellow linebacker Brian Cushing played all three downs).
Will another year get Ryans back to his old ways? Are the Eagles getting a Pro Bowler ready to rebound from one down season? Or a new player, different than he was pre-injury, who gets to return to his preferred system but whose physical ability is less assured? Even if he has taken a step back, is a post-injury Ryans, with all his intangibles and instincts, still better than any of the other options?
No one knows yet, which is a boring conclusion but happens to be true. Just like no one knows how close Peyton Manning will be to his old self in Denver, or how Adrian Peterson will bounce back from a torn ACL in Minnesota.
The temptation after a big deal is to revel in it, to envision the best possible outcome. The backlash arrives as some pick out one weak thread and tug at it until in their minds the entire move unravels.
Even the most cynical reporters and fans have to look at Ryans’ potential and acknowledge the chance that the Eagles have used a bold stroke to finally fill a long-standing weakness. But when the Texans can't drum up any offers better than a four, there are questions to be asked as well. Better to be aware of them now than surprised in September.
True. Let's cover our butts and wish for the best, expect the worse and then, either way, say we were right. I will go out on a limb, be bold, and say this is a HUGE upgrade for the team that will pay dividends in wins. Is it strictly built on faith? Not entirely. When teammates questioned - to a man - are shocked, disappointed and even angry, it says a great deal on the level of his play last year. Kudos to the front office for making this trade. Addressed our biggest need with a huge impact player, who doesn't come cheap.— Commish- Still looking for a steal in the acquisition of injured players. If nothing changes, nothing changes. And Reid's 5-year plan continues into its 14th year.
- Looks like Nickels and Howie got another Marlin Jackson special.— snakeplissken
- Not really. Marlin Jackson didn't play the year before, and Ryans did. He started all 16 games. He started slow (in a new system, btw) but came on strong.
— ej610 - Godo Move Front Office !!— dmanphilly
- Texans have other linbackers in the waiting on the cheap. Stop asking about the 4th round pick...they needed a trading partner who needed a middle linebacker and had the cap space...not all 32 teams had either the need or the space...whats so hard to understand here? I've read both your articles and it just seems like your stoking the fire for failure and you can look back and say..."i told you so". Please...it was a low risk great upside deal for the Birds at a huge position of NEED...period.— tkeagle
- Good point. Plus the FA's on the market didn't move. Teams aren't interested in linebackers this year, especially high priced ones. — ej610
OH please! Sure it's easy to look at the negative because some people can't be positive. These Philly sports writers are the worst. Jesus Christ himself could come back in the flesh and these hacks will write, "He's back, so how do we know if he'll be hanging from a tree in 3 years?" Pathetic article Tamari.- This comment is both true and funny. Nice! — FKD215
- That's bull! Nearly every sportswriter thought Kevin Kolb was going to be the answer to all of our problems.
- If Dont'a Hightower is there at 15 is he fast enough to cover TE's and play the strong side? That would provide another big body in the middle in the event Ryans injury prevents 16 game season.
Otherwise lets get a run stopper DT in round 1; or trade down and get another 2nd round pick. Lot of good talent is flowing to round 2.
We gotta be happy that the Eagles grab Ryans, especially at the price they paid.
— Lerze777 
Even if he only plays in run situation he helps, a lot. A lot of people are writing off the young LBs, and I think it is very hasty to do so. Don't be surprised if LB isn't a strength on defense given the addition of Ryans, the experience gained by Clayton, Matthews, Rolle and Cheney (as long as he recovers from the neck injury). I don't care how many safeties were high pick in the last couple of years, that is the position on defense that should be addressed early. We can also be sure thet OL will be one of the early picks given that Jackson and Justice are out of the picture.- Is this a personal thing you felt like you needed to write because Les Bowen gave the move rave reviews this morning?? Put the punch behind you and move on..........— Earl J
- Its a low-risk high-reward deal.
You want a high-risk deal? Peyton Manning, 5 years $95M. And the bar is set to get to the Super Bowl in Denver since Tebow already got them to the playoffs and won a playoff game.— fmMD - Manning's signing isn't nearly as high-risk as it sounds. Merchandise and ticket sales will quickly bring a return on that investment.
