LB Review: Ryans Provides Bright Spot

If you’re looking for a positive to take out of Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, DeMeco Ryans once again played at a high level.

Here’s the player-by-player breakdown of the Birds’ linebackers, after having re-watched the game.

DeMeco Ryans – He’s played every snap the past two games and has missed just two snaps all season. The coaches credited him with eight solo tackles, and Ryans was once again a playmaker. He’s put together an outstanding three-game stretch to start the season. Ryans brought running back Ryan Williams down after a 4-yard run. He shot through the hole and dropped LaRod Stephens-Howling for a 5-yard loss in the third. And he and Mychal Kendricks combined to stop Williams short of a first down on 3rd-and-1 in the third. Ryans now has six tackles for loss in three games. In coverage, Ryans nearly had an interception in the red zone, but the ball popped up in the air, and wide receiver Michael Floyd came down with it for the touchdown. The Eagles only blitzed three times all game, and Ryans was sent on two of those occasions.

Mychal Kendricks – Eagles coaches credited him with a season-high six solo tackles. Kendricks was not perfect, but he was active throughout. He tackled Beanie Wells after a 2-yard gain in the second and stopped Wells for no gain in the third. Kendricks chased Williams to the sideline on a 3-yard run in the third. And he shot through the hole, combining with Darryl Tapp to bring Williams down for a 4-yard loss in the third. One bad moment against the run was when he couldn’t get off the tight end’s block on the 25-yard draw to Williams in the fourth. In coverage, Kendricks got picked by the wide receiver on a 12-yard completion to Williams in the first. He missed a tackle on Larry Fitzgerald after Kevin Kolb flipped the ball to avoid a sack in the first. Kendricks beat by tight end Rob Housler for an 11-yard completion on 3rd-and-2 in the second. He and Ryans both went to cover the back on 3rd-and-7 in the second, leaving TE Jeff King wide open for a 15-yard gain. It looked like Kendricks pointed to himself after the play, acknowledging that he made a mistake. Kendricks blitzed once and got a hand on Kolb.

Akeem Jordan – He only played 14 snaps before injuring his hamstring. Jordan got off his block and tackled Williams after a 3-yard gain in the second. We’ll see if he can go Sunday vs. the Giants.

Brian Rolle – He filled in for Jordan and played 16 snaps. Rolle got beaten by Housler for a 7-yard completion in the fourth. And he was blocked by the tight end on the Williams run that went for 11 yards on 3rd-and-3.

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