Ryder was close to best afield in the Bombers' 91-point rout of the Giants in the third round of the NAB Cup, with 21 disposals (15 contested) and three goals.
Click here for our full match coverage
The talented big man also had 13 hit-outs and made seven clearances while sharing ruck duties with fellow Bomber Tom Bellchambers.
Hird said he was "very happy" with Ryder's performance, but the next step was to gain consistency.
"Paddy has set a standard. Last year he set a standard and regressed occasionally," Hird said.
"If he sets that standard he needs to keep that standard. We thought his time in the ruck today was exceptional."
Ryder, who turns 25 next week, was one of the biggest contributors in Essendon's win, working closely with the club's beefed-up midfield unit.
Brendon Goddard has been a standout since crossing to the club and he collected 26 disposals against the Giants, but it was the performance of Dyson Heppell that gained more attention.
Heppell had 21 disposals midway through the third quarter before he was subbed out of the contest.
"Heppell's progression has been there for everybody to see, and it's been a steady progression. He started at a high level and he's only getting better," Hird said.
Giants coach Kevin Sheedy went as far as to compare Heppell to Hird, who won two premierships, five best and fairests and a Brownlow Medal under Sheedy's coaching at Essendon.
"He'll be a top-class player, there's no doubt about that," Sheedy said.
"He probably doesn't play unlike James Hird in that he has a good feel and read of the game."
Sheedy described the loss to the Bombers as "ugly", but saw it as an opportunity to test some of his younger players against a full-strength Essendon line-up.
The Giants lost captain Callan Ward to concussion in the first quarter. Jono O'Rourke, the No.2 pick at last year's NAB AFL Draft, was subbed into the game then out of it after suffering a back spasm.
The veteran coach was pleased with the efforts of young defensive pair Lachie Plowman and Aidan Corr, and stressed the club's concentration was on its round-one encounter with the Sydney Swans.
"In the end it's all about playing against the Swans in round one. That's what our focus is," Sheedy said.
"I think it's a very important part of the development of this team that we do measure ourselves against the premier team."
Follow AFL website reporter Callum Twomey on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.
Paddy Ryder is a ruckman/midfielder in NAB AFL Fantasy. He averaged $465,100 points in 2012. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.
The talented big man also had 13 hit-outs and made seven clearances while sharing ruck duties with fellow Bomber Tom Bellchambers.
Hird said he was "very happy" with Ryder's performance, but the next step was to gain consistency.
"Paddy has set a standard. Last year he set a standard and regressed occasionally," Hird said.
"If he sets that standard he needs to keep that standard. We thought his time in the ruck today was exceptional."
Ryder, who turns 25 next week, was one of the biggest contributors in Essendon's win, working closely with the club's beefed-up midfield unit.
Brendon Goddard has been a standout since crossing to the club and he collected 26 disposals against the Giants, but it was the performance of Dyson Heppell that gained more attention.
Heppell had 21 disposals midway through the third quarter before he was subbed out of the contest.
"Heppell's progression has been there for everybody to see, and it's been a steady progression. He started at a high level and he's only getting better," Hird said.
Giants coach Kevin Sheedy went as far as to compare Heppell to Hird, who won two premierships, five best and fairests and a Brownlow Medal under Sheedy's coaching at Essendon.
"He'll be a top-class player, there's no doubt about that," Sheedy said.
"He probably doesn't play unlike James Hird in that he has a good feel and read of the game."
Sheedy described the loss to the Bombers as "ugly", but saw it as an opportunity to test some of his younger players against a full-strength Essendon line-up.
The Giants lost captain Callan Ward to concussion in the first quarter. Jono O'Rourke, the No.2 pick at last year's NAB AFL Draft, was subbed into the game then out of it after suffering a back spasm.
The veteran coach was pleased with the efforts of young defensive pair Lachie Plowman and Aidan Corr, and stressed the club's concentration was on its round-one encounter with the Sydney Swans.
"In the end it's all about playing against the Swans in round one. That's what our focus is," Sheedy said.
"I think it's a very important part of the development of this team that we do measure ourselves against the premier team."
Follow AFL website reporter Callum Twomey on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.
Paddy Ryder is a ruckman/midfielder in NAB AFL Fantasy. He averaged $465,100 points in 2012. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.
