Eagles steal DeMeco Ryans

The question kept coming: When are the Eagles going to wise up and sign a legit middle linebacker? The answer finally came yesterday.

The Birds announced that they had traded Houston a fourth-round draft choice in exchange for middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans, a two-time Pro Bowl selection. The Eagles and Texans also swapped third-round picks (moving from 77th to 89th).

“DeMeco is a proven Pro Bowl linebacker in this league and we’re excited to be able to plug him into the middle of our defense,” said coach Andy Reid. “He’s been the signal caller and a leader on a very good Texans defense for the last several years. He’s a tough, instinctive football player and he’ll be a great fit.”

“We’re thrilled to be able to add a young and productive linebacker in DeMeco Ryans,” said GM Howie Roseman. “Once we found out that he could be available to us in a trade, we quickly found a way to work together to produce a good outcome for both teams.”

Ryans was a second round pick in 2006. The 27-year-old leaves Houston as the franchise’s all-time leader in tackles with 637.