Eagles Address Linebacking Woes, Acquire DeMeco Ryans From Texans

Of the many problems that plagued the Philadelphia Eagles during their disappointing 8-8 2011 season, the weakness of the middle of their defense was one of the more prominent. They employed an aggressive Wide-9 front with their defensive line under first-year D Coordinator Juan Castillo and new D-Line coach Jim Washburn. The scheme is designed to attack the Quarterback from the outside but also leaves large holes between the tackles and ends. The Eagles went with young, inexperienced linebackers to start the season and they suffered the consequences of that decision immediately as they allowed a 47-yd TD run to Rams' RB Steven Jackson on their first defensive snap of the season.

The defense and linebacking corps improved as the season went on but adding a veteran leader to the middle of their D was of paramount importance this offseason. The Eagles were not major players in Free Agency early in this offseason, opting instead to lockup their own free agents including DeSean Jackson and Evan Mathis. However they made their first splash on Tuesday by pulling off a trade for 2-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Rookie of the Year DeMeco Ryans from the Houston Texans. Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman continued his savvy business acumen by surrendering only a 4th-round pick in April's Draft and as well as swapping 3rd-rounders.

Ryans became expendable in Houston after he suffered a ruptured achilles in 2010. Ryans returned in 2011 but saw his playing time diminished as he battled back from the injury and the Texans' switch to a 3-4 scheme under DC Wade Phillips as Ryans is a pure MLB best suited to a 4-3 scheme. The Texans also felt that had a suitable and much cheaper replacement for Ryans in Darryl Sharpton which made it difficult for them to justify his $6 Million salary. Ryans is only 28 years old and will be another year removed from his injury so seeing a return to his Pro Bowl form seems a likely outcome. Regardless of whether Ryans can be the Pro Bowl talent he was or not, he only cost the team one of their 2 first-round picks and even at 80% of his former self should still be an improvement over what they already have. Can't wait to see what he can do.