Eagles linebacker DeMeco Ryans is in the midst of one of his best seasons as a pro and leading the charge of a defensive turnaround. Photo Courtesy: Business Insiders
Questions have followed DeMeco Ryans since the Philadelphia Eagles acquired him in a trade with the Houston Texans in March 2012.
At the time of his acquisition many asked how much of Ryans' success came in a 4-3 and to what end can his dropoff during his final year in Houston be credited to a 3-4 scheme?
The 29-year old answered those critics by posting 113 tackles and one sack in an unspectacular first season in Philadelphia as middle linebacker while fitting into two different defensive schemes under two defensive coordinators.
Then, entering this season Chip Kelly and the Eagles hired Billy Davis as defensive coordinator and the 3-4 front that many said Ryans was ill suited for became the new new coordinator's system of choice.
This time around Ryans has proven his doubters wrong and is in the midst of an All-Pro caliber season through the first seven weeks of the year. The Bessemer, Alabama native has already posted 60 tackles, two sacks and in interception while becoming a stalwart of Davis' defensive transformation.
“DeMeco’s been outstanding,” Davis said Tuesday. “He’s the quarterback of our defense, lines them up, keeps them steady when things go bad, and he’s making plays. I’m happy for DeMeco. He’s having a good season. It’s always good to have leadership like that.”
Ryans and company have been in the midst of a rapid turnaround on defense, allowing the eighth fewest points per game over the past three weeks.
“From where we started out defensively we have gotten a lot better," Ryans said. "That is something we have been talking about each week. We knew it would get better because guys are getting more comfortable with what we are doing on defense. Guys know what they can and can’t do, and you see how good we are getting. We still have some things to get better at. Our goal is to continue to get better each week. Even though this was a solid outing, we still have some things we have to work on."
Beyond his strong play on the field, this season Ryans seems to have further established himself as the veteran voice on a defense that spent the first half of the season in search of an identity.
How strong has Ryans' play been this season?
He's prompted legendary former Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner to sit up and take notice.
"He put together his best game as an Eagle last week against the Cowboys," Joyner said. "He's really stepping into that leadership role nicely in his second season with the Eagles."
That's high praise coming from one of three Eagles linebackers to make the Pro Bowl in the past 30 years.
Questions have followed Ryans since he became an Eagle but with each passing week he continues to answer the bell and that has led to what has become a consistent improvement for the defense as a whole.
Matt Lombardo is the Editor-In-Chief of Eagledelphia and also an on-air personality on 97.5 FM The Fanatic in Philadelphia. Join the conversation and follow Matt on Twitter.
