Ryans, injuries and risk
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Ryans, injuries and risk
Jonathan Tamari
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.
- I like his leadership and after hearing him talk I definetely want to see what he can do...but the bottom line is odds are he wont last more then 3 or 4 years. Since the Texans know how to draft properly they will just get a new younger guy to replace him while the Eagles will still be looking for another MLB 3 years from now. The Eagles fully support recycling.
If he can control the middle then our defensive ends will improve on their pass rush.— Joe at the shore- Look at it this way, the Eagles paid more for this guy then any of the other teams were willing to pay. No doubt the Texans made it known to the other teams that he was available. The Eagles were the highest bidders. Maybe the smartest coach in the league just outsmarted himself once again.— Carlos2
- OK sheep and lapdogs....hold off the koolade toasts...he is coming off an injury.....period....His leadership and work ethic will help in the locker room no doubt...and no disrespect to him but "any body" at linebacker is better than the drek currently on the roster....So jsut hold fast till we see if can play at the level he played before the injury....Remeber we are still one more stud linebacker and two safeties that can actually tackle, a huge run stopping DT and a real DC to consider this team playoff worthy...so just cool you enthusiasm....— nuggett
- Nice to see the objective fans (vs writers) stepping up and out to applaud this deal. There appears to be a reasonable chance this guy is not as good as hoped for and a good chance that he is as hoped for, tho perhaps not back to full pro bowl caliber. That said, on risk/reward basis, this is a no brainer -- and the league-wide (and Texans players who played with the guy)consensus supports that view. Am surprised no Philly beat writers have called this a desparate, "gotta win this year cause my contract is coming up" move by Reid.— rnorth21
- Trade out of the first and take the albatross from ASU in the early second.— markperantoni
- They gave up a 4th round pick for a proven player that is better than the stiffs currently taking up roster spots at LB even if he's only 80% of what he was before the injury. Not exactly like the Eagles were going to draft Ray Lewis with a 4th round pick...or any round pick for that matter.— Only in Philly...
- What did the Bears give up for Brandon Marshall? 2 third round picks. Guys get traded for peanuts when they are worth significantly more.— Clt Philly Fan
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ— Mr. Underhill- All indications from the Houston Chronicle sports group are that he played close to 100% in the second half of 2011. Enough said. Let's see him in action.— RonC1
- I also read that Houston got much needed cap space with this deal. They have a lot of young people coming up, and are undergoing a youth movement. I think there is no problem with this trade.— doc35
- "drop in production" was a result of Houston switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4." The Eagles didn't play well because they had a short preseason. The defense had to get used to the wide 9. Vick hasn't had a full camp. All this sounds like a pattern of excuses to explain poor play, and the explanation for his production drop fits right in. Hey, I am all for signing linebackers and drafting one in the first round. I have been on this for the last couple of years. And I want Rayans to be good. But they have too many signings that appear to be good, but there a flip side. Like Steve Smith. I remember the Eagles FO last year glowing about that signing.
— watsonmr - Ryans teammates love him, and he is a team captain, and a locker room leaqder. I wonder why they are letting him go, for a fourth rounder??— kuhrtw
- We still don't have a defensive coordinator. What difference does this or any move make?— Ssteve115
- The Texan's wuldnt have let him go if they believed he was the same player pre-injury...— Bobphxville
