Jay Glazer is reporting that the Philadelphia Eagles have acquired LB DeMeco Ryans from the Houston Texans for a fourth round pick in next month's draft. The two teams have also swapped 3rd rounders this year. Ryans is a two time pro bowler and represents a major upgrade for the Eagles, who have struggled to find a consistent starting middle linebacker since Jeremiah Trotter left nearly 10 years ago.
Ryans was miscast the past two seasons in Houston as the team transitioned from a 4-3 to a 3-4, where Ryans never adapted to playing the weakside. In Philadelphia, he'll be back at MIKE where he was most successful. Perhaps as important as his level of play, Ryans brings a veteran presence and leadership to a very young and inexperienced Eagles LB crew.
He did injure his achillies and missed part of 2010, but was healthy all of last season and hasn't been a guy who has proven to be injury prone in his career. He does bring a monster contract with him that will pay him a base salary of $5.9 million next season, $6.6m in 2013 and $6.8 in 2014 & 2015. However, none of that money is guarnateed.
It's a big get for the Eagles and a dramatic upgrade to their LB corps.
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