Eagles stay committed to Ryans, a true leader

Chip Kelly was like a box of Cracker Jacks in his first offseason as the man in complete charge of the Eagles' football decisions. Day after day, it was surprise, surprise, surprise.

To many observers, the trades of Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy probably ranked highest on the "I-can't-believe-he-just-did-that" scale. To others, it might have been the decision to let top receiver Jeremy Maclin walk away as a free agent.

Less publicized and barely scrutinized was the decision to give veteran linebacker DeMeco Ryans a contract extension even after the team had added highly touted inside linebacker Kiko Alonso in the trade that sent McCoy to Buffalo. Alonso's arrival figured to lead to Ryans' departure because the Eagles also had the younger and more athletic Mychal Kendricks at the other inside linebacker position in their 3-4 defensive scheme.

Ryans, 30, missed the second half of last season after suffering the second ruptured Achilles tendon of his career. The first one was to his left foot and shortened his 2010 season with the Houston Texans. The second one was to his right foot and occurred against the Texans in a Nov. 2 game in Houston.

Had Kelly opted to release Ryans, the Eagles would not have taken any salary-cap hit. While everyone is different, a ruptured Achilles is the same injury that sent Ryan Howard's career into a drastic downward spiral. Most teams probably would have discarded a 30-year-old linebacker coming off that type of injury. Kelly figured he could not afford to lose Ryans, a testimony to the way the veteran linebacker conducts himself on and off the field.

"I think he was productive before he got injured, and I know he recovered from the other injury," Kelly said. "When you understand the player and what he's all about and his dedication and what he does from the rehab standpoint, I think it's a testament to what he's going through right now."

On Tuesday at the NovaCare Complex, Ryans was on the practice field, acting like the quintessential leader he has been since his college playing days at Alabama. By his own admission he is not yet 100 percent healthy, but he is always 100 percent committed to the cause. The inside linebackers were practicing the fundamental maneuvers they'll need to know and use when training camp opens Aug. 2, and standing behind Ryans mirroring his every move was Alonso.

"He's a great guy off the field and he works extremely hard," Ryans said. "He is here early and stays late and really does a good job of taking care of his body. He does the extra work that a lot of people don't do and he's a good player. Very instinctive."

That, of course, is also an exact description of Ryans, which is why it should be no surprise at all that Kelly and defensive coordinator Bill Davis wanted him back even after such a serious injury. The Eagles did restructure his 2015 salary when they extended his deal through 2016, but they did not have to do any of that.

Ryans remains thankful.

"I was just happy we were able to get it done," he said. "Definitely it was special because you don't see that happen too much with guys coming off injuries. Not having any guarantee and things kind of being up in the air with people doubting that you'd be able to come back from injury, it meant a lot for them to step up . . . and extend me another year. It showed a lot of respect."

It also created an intense competition. Alonso, who will turn 25 during training camp, is the new kid on the block coming off an injury of his own and was sensational as a rookie with Buffalo in 2013. Kendricks, who turns 25 in September, is entering the final year of his contract and has the ability to be a star.

Davis said last week that the Eagles have packages that can put all three inside linebackers on the field at the same time. It would be naive, however, to think that all three can receive equal playing time.

As problems go, this is a good one and one that changes as an NFL season takes its injury toll.

For now, Ryans still believes he is a three-down linebacker capable of holding down a starting job.

"Hell, yeah," he said. "I can still get it done. If you don't look at yourself that way, then you won't stay around."

That, of course, is exactly why the leader of the Eagles defense is still around at age 30 even after suffering such a devastating injury last season.

@brookob