Eagles traded for Demeco Ryans, physical pending. https://twitter.com/#!/McClain_on_NFL/statuses/182241476170874881 I've always been a Ryans fan, a little undersized, but a solid player.
Was thinking about bringjng this up as soon as I heard of the trade. I still wouldn't 100% write them off but its certainly a good sign. I have this feeling he could be drafted by the Chiefs or Cardinals, though.
For a 4th rder + swap of 3rd rd picks... wow, that's cheap. How wonder how well he's recovered from his injury.
That's the concern, I think he will be fine. Ryans is a hellva player when healthy...I love the those Bama MLBs.
Kuechly is a 4-3 MLB though, right? And the scouts seem to be split on whether he can be an impact player in the NFL. He's very blockable.
Sometimes we get caught up in 3-4/4-3 players and forget about talent. Some players (LBs) don't have the physical ability to take the pounding in a 3-4. IMO, Kuechly could play in the middle next to Harris. Kuechly is stronger and quicker than most scouts have him rated.
So WW, in your opinion, Kuechly or hightower? Both have been mocked to us recently. Of the Two I have the feeling i'd tend to agree with you.
Kuechly needs to add some weight. I love his smarts and is great run stopper. Hightower is more versatile and can play anywhere in the 4 LB positions. The better talent is Kuechly, so I would draft him. You don't pass on a better football player. IMO, Hightower is a better fit in our defense, sorta kills two birds with one stone.
From what Ive seen and read on Kuechly -he can get easily blocked at the LOS -he doesnt make many impact plays (plays behind the LOS) -he is good in coverage -is a tackling machine but only when the ball is in front of the LOS -great instincts So overall, a tackling machine once its in front of the OL and very cerebral. I might rather Hightower because he does things Kuechly cant, like make plays behind the LOS and rush the passer...
FWIW, it was real funny, JJ Watt & Antonio Smith were live on NFLN's Total Access when the trade was announced...great timing. Smith looked like he was going to cry.
Was very impressed in Kuechly when I saw BC play the Irish last season. Great instinct, wraps up his tackles, underrated east/west speed and is a great leader. Exactly what the locker room could use, a no-nonsense, unafraid defensive captain. He is what a Pre-Cancer Mark Herzlich was.
Kuechly is a beast. I just think OLB is a much bigger need so I'd still take the best OLB prospect available, be it Ingram, Upshaw, Perry, etc
I feel like my boy Jerrell Powe should be the man there, I don't care if he was a 6th rounder. Romeo will see the Wilfork like skills present in him. As for Kuechly, I don't want him. He's a good player, but a lot of guys available are good players. I just can't see an ILB be a focus pick with a great ILB already on board and nothing on the outside.
Exactly this, I would completely be okay with Hightower since he can play outside too and rush, which is the biggest weakness on the defense.
Seattle is the only other team that scares me, if he drops past them he'll def be a Jet. 1st Kuechly 2nd Ronnell Lewis Hopefully Maybin continues to improve his run defense as well as work on some pass rush moves to go along with his freak athletic ability (remember although he was a bust in Buffalo he's still only 23, lots of room to improve under a great defensive head coach!) Our linebacking core would rival our Cornerbacks as the best unit on the team. Maybin (what he could be), Harris, Kuechly, Lewis, Amazing! I can only hope!
