DeMeco Ryans Is Ready To Lead

Last year the Eagles’ defense was mediocre to say the least. From the missed tackles to the miscommunication on coverages, it was almost painful to watch such a star-studded line-up make so many mistakes. Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans is out to change that, and he plans to be a leader while doing so.

“His presence has been felt,” fellow linebacker Jamar Chaney said. “You can tell he was a leader with the Texans and when he was in college in Alabama. With a guy like that who has all that experience and accolades — he’s not a guy who is just coming in here because he has Pro Bowls and all stuff like that. You listen to him a little more than you listen to another guy.”

In his first year with the Houston Texans, Ryans was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006. A year later he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors for a season where he recorded 128 tackles and recovered 3 fumbles. Ryans was also a captain for the Texans who held his teammates to very high expectations.

“He’s very demanding, I’ll tell you that,” outside linebacker Brian Rolle said. “He’s not afraid to speak his mind. If he wants something one way, it’s going to be that way. He said something to me and (rookie outside linebacker Mychal) Kendricks about a certain way to play something and the coaches didn’t have anything to say about it. If he says something, he knows. He’s been through it and we’re going to do it just like that.”

With six years of experience and a few accolades under his belt, the former Alabama standout is exactly what Juan Castillo needs to improve his defense.

“He’s a leader. He’s done it,” Castillo said. “They can look to him and the way he carries himself on the field, the way he carries himself off the field, it’s unbelievable.”

As if his leadership and expertise weren’t enough, the linebacker also brings an infectious amount of energy and enthusiasm to the football filed.

“It is all about enthusiasm and energy,” Ryans said. “That is one thing if you can create here at practice then it goes on into a game. When you can create your own energy it definitely helps when you are on the road and the fans are not there.”

Most notably however, Ryans brings a toughness that was nonexistent on both sides of the ball for the Eagles last year. “I am tired of seeing guys in green and white jerseys,” he said. “It’s time to put the pain on somebody else.”

Even if that means a couple fines and a few personal fouls, I am all for the Eagles inflicting some pain on the opposition. As long as there’s no bounty involved, of course.