Line backer Demeco Ryans of the Houston Texans, was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for a fourth round pick plus the Texans and Eagles will exchange draft positions in the third round.
The Texans get the fourth pick in the fourth round from the Eagles who acquired the pick from a trade with Tampa Bay.
Ryans, a seven year veteran from the University of Alabama, was primarily a one down player (defended against the run) in the Texans 3-4 defense. Ryans left the field every time the Texans switched to their nickel package against the pass which happened quite often against the pass happy offenses in the NFL today.
In Philly, Ryans will play middle linebacker, a position for which he is best suited, in the Eagles 4-3 defensive scheme. Philadelphia, who is considered a Super Bowl contender by many NFL analysts, will stand to benefit considerably from this trade for Ryans, a former Pro Bowl player. Ryans will fill the gap in the middle of the Eagles' defense quite well. In my view, this trade will elevate Ryans' play (since he will be on the field more in the 4-3) and he will stand to gain considerably in the long run, from this trade.
It is difficult to believe the Texans could only get a fourth round pick from the Eagles' for a former NFL Pro Bowl player who may be entering the prime of his playing career. Couldn't they have received a second round pick, or, at worse a third round draft choice for a player of Demeco Ryan's caliber? It seems to me that the Texans got "played" by the Philadelphia Eagles in this trade. Maybe, just maybe, Houston Texans GM Rick Smith and head coach Gary Kubiak got the worse end of this deal.
Having said this, we must consider that perhaps Demeco's injury (a torn Achilles tendon in 2010) is worse than publicly acknowledged. Also, the value of middle linebackers has taken a big hit in the last few years due to pass defense being pre-eminent over run defense in the pass first, foremost and often offensive mentality in the NFL of today (run only to keep the pass rush honest).
Another factor to consider is, that at this point in time, the trade leaves the Texans thin at the linebacker position, a position crucial to the 3-4 scheme. Perhaps the Texans can acquire a quality linebacker in the upcoming draft or via free agency.
After releasing a quality starting right tackle-Eric Winston, losing Mario Williams, guard Mike Briesel, and Jason Allen( an important reserve cornerback) and now trading Demeco Ryans, are the Texans serious about making a run deep into the 2012 playoffs, and maybe even making a Super Bowl appearance?
Are the Texans a better team today, than they were at the end of the 2011 season? No, quite frankly, no. I see no way that today, the Texans are equal to, or better, than the team that finished the 2011 season.
Having said this, we must consider that perhaps Demeco's injury (a torn Achilles tendon in 2010) is worse than publicly acknowledged. Also, the value of middle linebackers has taken a big hit in the last few years due to pass defense being pre-eminent over run defense in the pass first, foremost and often offensive mentality in the NFL of today (run only to keep the pass rush honest).
Another factor to consider is, that at this point in time, the trade leaves the Texans thin at the linebacker position, a position crucial to the 3-4 scheme. Perhaps the Texans can acquire a quality linebacker in the upcoming draft or via free agency.
After releasing a quality starting right tackle-Eric Winston, losing Mario Williams, guard Mike Briesel, and Jason Allen( an important reserve cornerback) and now trading Demeco Ryans, are the Texans serious about making a run deep into the 2012 playoffs, and maybe even making a Super Bowl appearance?
Are the Texans a better team today, than they were at the end of the 2011 season? No, quite frankly, no. I see no way that today, the Texans are equal to, or better, than the team that finished the 2011 season.
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