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While the news of the suspensions handed out to Sean Payton, Greg Williams and Mickey Loomis for their roles in the Saints bounty scandal along with Tim Tebow being traded to the New York Jets dominated the NFL landscape, another major move was made earlier this week. DeMeco Ryans was traded from Houston to Philadelphia for the Eagles’ fourth-round pick and the two team’s also exchanged third round picks. Ryans is a solid inside linebacker and goes to a team that was in need of a playmaking linebacker. The only catch on Ryans is the torn Achilles tendon that occurred in the middle of the 2010 season. The trade was definitely worth the risk for the Eagles, who are landing a playmaker that can be a difference maker on the defense. DeMeco Ryans joined 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia with Mike Missanelli to discuss being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, the leadership he brings to the Eagles defense, being a vocal leader of the Eagles defense, playing in the ‘Wide 9′ defense and his Achilles injury being fully healed.
How did this happen for you with the trade to the Eagles? Did you know about it?
“No it just all happened. Yesterday I got the call and the day just started moving fast from there. It just happened all of a sudden. I wasn’t expecting it, but it all turned out great.”
Everybody you played with always talks about your leadership. Tell me a little bit about that? What is your idea of a leader?
“My idea of a leader is you lead by example. You do things the right way and lead by example and guys gravitate towards those guys who they think are doing it the right way.”
Are you a talker or a guy who leads by making a play?
“Hopefully I don’t have to get in anyone’s face. I’ll talk if I have to talk. I’ll talk if something has to be said. I’ll do what I have to do.”
What’s your thoughts on playing in the ‘Wide 9′ defense?
“It can work. When guys are in ‘Wide 9′ the linebackers have to be instinctive and you have to know what to expect when guys are playing in the ‘Wide 9,’ so just getting reps at it at practice and seeing how things happen with the gap control you just become more comfortable with it.”
Talk to me about the Achilles injury? Does it take a year to recover?
“Yeah I felt that. The lockout kind of hurt me. I had a slow start to the season, but as the season went along everything picked up for me and I started to feel like myself again.”
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