The Philadelphia Eagles Wednesday released veteran middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans. The New York Giants need a middle linebacker. Thus, here is your obligatory "should the Giants sign Ryans" post.
Before I even get started on Ryans' accomplishments as a player, or any of the reasons for what I am about to say, here is my take on whether or not the Giants should show interest in Ryans. Not. A. Chance. No way, no how. Moving on. Nothing to see here.
Is that a clear enough opinion?
Ryans is a 10-year veteran who will be 32 next season. He has suffered two torn Achilles tendons. He had a hamstring injury last season. He has missed 11 games the past two seasons.
The Giants just saw an injury-prone veteran middle linebacker who used to be really, really good retire. After parting ways with Jon Beason, why would the Giants want to sign an even older injury-prone middle linebacker?
Even our friends at SB Nation's Bleeding Green Nation understand that Ryans, while he still has leadership capabilities, doesn't have much left as a player. Here is an assessment from BGN of Ryans' play in 2015:
DEMECO RYANS Numbers: 620 snaps, 32 tackles, 1 hit, 3 hurries, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 5 passes defensed, 11 missed tackles
Review: Mufasa looked surprisingly spry early in the season, especially after coming off his second career Achilles injury. Believe it or not, the Eagles actually had the NFL's top ranked run defense early in the season. Ryans' run-stuffing ability was part of the team's success. Then Ryans suffered a hamstring injury and missed a few games. He didn't play well when he returned to action. Ryans' 11 missed tackles are a high number for someone who only made 32 tackles. His tackling efficiency ranks 40th out of 45 inside linebackers, which is bad. Age, injury, and workload has caught up with Ryans.
BGN called cutting Ryans "an easy decision" for the Eagles:
Cutting Ryans was an easy decision from a business perspective. He's not the same player he once was, especially after suffering multiple Achilles injuries. He had one of the worst tackling efficiency rates of any linebacker in the NFL last season. He also looked a step too slow in coverage too often.
It is also an easy decision for the Giants, who should look elsewhere to fill their hole at middle linebacker.