Eagles middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans spoke to a group of Philadelphia High School football players yesterday and afterward, he spoke to a number of local media members concerning what he had learned about the Eagles defensive playbook.
“When I started out with Houston we ran the 4-3 then”, Ryans said concerning Eagles defensive playbook. “Only so many things you can do…. So I’ve seen most of it and done most of it. So it’s kind of easy being familiar with the different coverages and different techniques”.
He obviously feels very comfortable playing in the 4-3 defense again.
Ryans had talked about getting the chance to return to playing in the 4-3 defense after a couple of years in the 3-4.
“It’s back to what I do naturally,” Ryans said. “I’m a natural middle linebacker, and this is what suits my ability.”
He’ll be calling the defenses in the huddle and getting everybody lined when the opposing offense comes to the line of scrimmage. Ryans’ understanding of the defenses and his command in the huddle will be a major improvement on last year when rookie Casey Matthews was running things.
Ryans was a great trade by the birds FO — High five Jeff, Joe, Howie, Andy and even Juan
I am really excited about this guy. Leadership and a playmaker. Just what we needed on the D.
G – Can Ryans’ presence help the young LBs and the Safeties behind him play better?
Should be a big help to the Defense and with mentoring the young LB’s on the Squad.. This may go down as one of the best Trades in modern Eagles History when all you did was give up a 4th Round PIck and swap about 10 spots in the 3rd Round.. I expect him to become a fan & caoches faovrite pretty quickly..
Expecting HUGE difference this year on D. Between full offseason, camp running as usual, dealing with the CB situation, more coaching technique, and the big additions of Ryans, Cox, Kendricks & Curry, I think we’ll see a team D with more big plays & 3-and-outs on the field. The front 7 have more speed plus tacklers! Also expect significant decrease in opposition’s scoring in the redzone. Can Washburn create a “new” B. Graham?
Can you say LEADER?
I really like everything about Ryans.
Iggles, I pretty much agree with all of your comments above. This team will benefit greatly from a full off-season, not that other team wil not as well, but with this being the second year for Castillo (still not a fan, but will hope for growth from him as DC) and a veteran leader in the middle….some real stud draft picks that will push the veterans and add greater depth to the rotation….no disgruntled Assante to distract the focus of the defense…I like the way this off season has progressed so far. GO BIRDS!!
Not to add to any hype, but word down at NovaCare is that Brandon Graham is in phenomenal shape, has his weight down to 262-265lbs and is cut like a rock and has really improved his cardio-conditioning and from the reports going around,that he is due for his breakout season.. Imagine the Eagles DL with a healthy and highly productive Brandon Graham…
Yeah Paulman, we all heard Roseman talking last week about the great shape that Graham is in…..how last year his teamates nicknamed him “Husky” because of the weight he had gained.
News of his being in better shape is good for all that want to see some production out of the former 1st round pick, but the question I would also ask was why, as a professional athlete, he allowed his weight and physical condition (not talking about an injury) come into question.
I believe that Graham still has a chance at becoming a top flight contributor on this team, but clearly he needs to step up this year and make a jump from his previous performance.
I had heard that rumor as well Pman – good for him –
lets kill this dog before the hunt even starts – Freeney – 268 Babin – 260 Allen 270 Abraham 263 Edwards 267 Kiwanuka 267
so again Graham is NOT undersized – was NEVER undersized – these are some pretty decent DEs and while Graham may be shorter – after he got lighter he is still wieghs roughly the same..
Curry and Graham step right in for Cole and Babin when their time is up. Dam it feels good to have depth.
greenfan – I guess I can see your questioning Graham gaining weight and such… I guess I can.
BUT – did it occur to you that cardio was entirely out as an option – for a long period of time? And that it’s depressing to have your early career come to a halt with nothing for you to do about it except physical therapy and waiting… ALSO – novacare complex is right in South Philly…the food… need I say more?
Plus, it’s clear that he didn’t have any problems taking the weight off well in time. So really, I don’t question it at all. It hurt nothing and didn’t last.
Remember Graham as a ROokin came in about 260lbs adn then bulked up to about 270 (remember they wanted him to play inside at DT too)
Then he injures knee and is off his feet for 4-6 months which is probably when he ballooned up in weigh.. But he needs to be that 260-265 range to mainstain that burst and quick step.. If he can maintain that while keeping his strength and agility, he should be able to make plays with the coaching from Wahburn and the fact that he has good Defensive Linemates playing along side of him … Imagine a D/Line from left to right of of Cole,Cox,Jenkins and Graham .. and then with good LB’s behind you.. Line them up and get to the backfield and meet at Tony Romo,Eli Manning or RGIII.. Should be fun to watch these guys in action..
Paul, good points there. FYI, there’s some stuff about your favorite person in the world, Marty Guilliyard, on “I” – again, the first letter of the website I’m about to type is “I” and not “E” – igglesblitz.com…. check it out.
But yeah, the best part about our DL potential is depth. Nobody needs to play the whole game. Guys like Curry, Graham, Hunt or Tapp… they’ll be coming in FRESH and will be much less likely to wear down. Sam for Cox/Dixon/Landri – and the starters too. MAJOR potential there
I love this dude. Let’s pray he can stay healthy. If he does, he’s the leader & MLB, we have lacked since Trot’s first go around. As for Graham & Allen goes, I think most of agree, that both deserve another chance to prove that the injuries are what prevented them from succeeding. Especially Graham. I’m not as worried about Allen as some, it’s the SS spot that is going to be a huge problem. Coleman & Jarrett are huge???? We’ll see in Lehigh camp & pre-season. IMHO, they still need to sign Yeremiah Bell.
I just love this guy,trust me he will be the leader of this defense/team
Ryans is the missing link on this years team! Don’t be surprise if Vinny Curry makes it difficult to keep Brandon Graham. He will be the biggest impact newcomers!
Keith, Curry won’t hurt Graham. You need depth at DE, and Cole and Babin are not young. Basically, the only things that can hurt Graham’s chances of staying are the team are further injuries or himself.
This is really a great position to be in Keith / Schiler….to actually have quality depth at the position is great. We rotate the group anyway, so each should get into games and get a chance to be playmakers. I really cannot wait to see this defense in action.
The DE situation looks very nice right now – Babin with Graham rotating behind, Cole with Curry rotating and Hunt (I think they keep him over Tapp) being the swing – on obvious runs – you can move Cox or Jenkins out to DE –
D line looks very promising
Interesting thought there Navy….on obvious runs go with Cox and Jenkins at DE’s and Dixon and Paterson at DT’s…that is some nice flexibility. Can’t wait to see them in action.
Check out these numbers fellas
cox 91
curry 75( wish he would have kept 99)
boykin 22( wow asantes number)
foles 9
bryce brown 34
polk 32
damaris johnson 13
brian rolle 52 gave demeco 59
marvin mcnutt 83
mychal kendricks 95
Isn’t #99 retired for the late Jerome Brown..
I thought LB M Kendricks was #55 and not #95..
99 might be retired you may be right.. but if it wasnt i think curry would have been a good guy to wear it.. Daryll Tapp is 55.. I got this righr off the eagles website.. Also Kelly is 67
I thought 95 was a weird selection too. reminded me a 3-4 defense linebacker number.. like greg lloyd on the steelers
yeah green – the birds used to have Darwin Walker line up at DE against the run – One reason I think they keep 5 DEs this year vice the 6 they did last year is Jenkins and Cox can line up outside – I am thinking they go with 10 DL – 3 pure DTs, 5 DEs and Jenkins and Cox who can play both – so take your guess among Patterson, Dixon, Thorton and Landri ( ithink Thorton can do another year on practice squad – but the dude is huge – like a ripped 310/315) Landri is the smallest at 290 – if I were betting – Landri and Tapp will go away – i think Landri was signed in case they didn;t get a DT in the draft they liked –
just my predictions – I did OK on draft but thought they would snag a FA RB and S and they haven’t – so take it for what its worth
retired numbers – 15, 40, 44, 60, 70, 92 and 99
Randall Cunningham (#12), WIlbert Montgomery(#31), Brian Dawkins(#20)and yes, Donovan McNabb (#5) should be retired as well as Harold Camichael (#17)
The wild card in all this post-draft evaluation is Fletcher Cox. Now, remember Greenfan, this cat can play DE. I want to give some love to Curry, however Cox can do it all! NFC Defensive player of the year, and this is no bold prediction. Fact!
Let’s clean that previous statement up, NFC Defense Rookie of the Year!
Dawkins number gets retired this year. They already announced the ceremony.
I like your thinkin Keith….insert your favorite Cox joke here!!
Does anyone else wonder if “Keith” above is really “Keith Olbermann”..
Green – bonus if you can get Cox and McNutt in the same joke….
Paul, that’s the best you got? Moon, Richards, Urban… you could plug in any famous name there…
I was gonna tell a gay joke buttfck it
Ryans was a steal for a 4th round pick (as was Asante for a 7th). He will bring experience, leadership, and great tackling. He is exactly what we needed and now there is good competition for the outside linebacker spots.
Cox defensive Rookie of the Year. This one you can take to the bank.