Quick take on the Ryans trade
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Quick take on the Ryans trade
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The Eagles got their middle linebacker Tuesday evening, sending a fourth-round pick to the Texans for DeMeco Ryans.
The two teams also swapped third-round picks, with the Eagles giving up No. 77 overall for No. 89.
My immediate reaction was: Why would Houston give up a 27 year old linebacker whose made a pair of Pro Bowls for such a low price?
It seems the answer rests in the scheme the Texans switched to in 2011. Wade Phillips took over land implemented a 3-4. He had a lot of success doing so too. In fact, after the wild-card weekend, I compared Houston's situation to the Eagles'. Both teams hired new defensive coordinators, brought in new personnel and dealt with a shortened offseason, but the Texans improved dramatically, while the Eagles did not.
With the new scheme came a limited role for Ryans, who played only 58.4 percent of the team's defensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus. In other words, he wasn't an every-down linebacker, but more of a situational player.
Here's what long-time football writer John McClain, who covers the Texans for the Houston Chronicle Tweeted about the deal:
Ryans is a 4-3 MLB and not a weak-side ILB in a 3-4. The Eagles will be an ideal situation for him.
Ryans traded cause he's a true mike LB. He was wasted as a one-down inside player in their 3-4. Cushing never came off the field.
In 2010, Ryans was a three-down player. He only played in six games after suffering a torn Achilles tendon on Oct. 17. But Ryans was on the field for about 91.9 percent of the team's defensive snaps that year.
And in 2009, when he made the Pro Bowl, Ryans stayed on the field for 99.8 percent of the Texans' defensive snaps.
It's also interesting to see how they used him that season. Ryans blitzed 121 times in 2009, per PFF. As a point of reference, Jamar Chaney blitzed 44 times last season for the Eagles, more than any other linebacker.
Of course, the Eagles are not bringing Ryans on board to rush the quarterback. They traded for him to solidify the run defense behind the wide-nine. I plan on going back and watching some Texans games from the past few seasons to get a better sense of what Ryans brings to the table, but on the surface, this looks like a great move for the Birds.
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It's OK to be optimistic- the haters can hate, but hope is not a dirty word— brock- This is an intriguing move and may prove to be brilliant. However, the following sentences from the article, make little sense:
In 2010, Ryans was a three-down player. He only played in six games after suffering a torn Achilles tendon on Oct. 17. But Ryans was on the field for about 91.9 percent of the team's defensive snaps that year.
Interpreting: Until injured, he was on the field for almost every defensive play. Post injury, not so much.
— DHowardisdaman - They switched to a 3-4 and he was left a square peg in a round hole. That's why he didn't play as much, and presumably why they traded him rather than pay him a decent salary.
Hopefully if there is anything really wrong with him they'll find out in the physical and nix the deal. 
Comment removed.- What does this mean? That he gets concussions every time he falls down? — fmMD
- I just read they're gonna move Chaney to the SAM position.— soulman386
- Gasp!! Start him at his natural position? Maybe one he played in College before the geniuses moved him to the middle? This appears to be a great trade by the eagles front office and have to give them credit. Now PAY SHADY! — xlGmanlx
- Hes undersized! Oh wait nevermind he's gained more than 10 lbs since he was drafted. Strange how that happens. What to these organizations do have their players lift heavy weights and eat right?— Murrayman
- suprised the naysayers not online crying about not getting tulloch or the end of the road skins lb .....good move they didnt give up much to add a starter to the position and they still have the draft to add depth but its tough to ask a rookie to come play mike lb and ryan has done it rookie of the year pro bowler hope he solves the issue of mlb and we can sort out the rest .....— positive eagle
- It's a can't lose deal because it's only a 4th rounder we're giving up. And the Eagles have 2 of them.— ej610
- Good job Sheil, that makes a lot of sense. I saw the reaction of his teammates on NFL Total Access, they were shocked he is gone. I think this is great. We know the haters will be posting soon, again great job.— Blessed8251
- Sheil, they used him to run blitz
- Great move. Ryans is a good player and he tackles well. I am still on board with the idea of drafting Kuechly if he is available at 15. I believe Kuechly played weak side his first year. Drafting Kuechly to play weak would leave Ryans and Chaney for middle and strong. All 3 give us flexibility to play middle in case of injury.— fact_finder
- Agreed they can't stop there. Now that they got their leader in the middle I'm lovin Zach Brown from UNC
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