Sims: 'Ready to Jump In'
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Sims: 'Ready to Jump In'
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
The Eagles might have addressed one of their draft needs with a trade today for Detroit Lions linebacker Ernie Sims, a 2006 first-round pick from Florida State.
The trade was a three-way deal with Denver and Detroit. The Eagles sent a fifth-round draft pick (137th overall, acquired from Cleveland) to the Broncos. The Broncos traded tight end Tony Scheffler and a seventh-round pick (220th overall) to the Lions. The Lions traded Sims to the Eagles.
"I'm just real excited, looking for a new beginning ... I'm ready to jump in," Sims said on an early afternoon conference call with reporters. "I'm like a sponge right now."
Sims, hampered by hamstring and shoulder issues last season, was mainly a weakside linebacker in Detroit; strongside is where the Eagles seem to have their biggest LB hole. But Sims said the Lions generally just played left and right, so he was sometimes on the strongside, and sometimes covered tight ends, a big Eagles problem.
“Ernie Sims is an impact player at the linebacker position,” said head coach Andy Reid. “He brings a lot of energy to our already energized defense. We are looking forward to adding him to our team.”
“We are excited to acquire Ernie Sims,” said general manager Howie Roseman. “He plays fast, he's aggressive and his style is a great fit for our defensive scheme. He is a leader who was a team captain for the Lions and we are eager to see what he can do in our defense.”
Sims was the ninth overall selection in the 2006 draft and has since played in 59 games (56 starts) for Detroit, totaling 505 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and one interception. Last season, Sims played in 11 games (eight starts), and compiled 49 tackles and one forced fumble.
Sims, a college teammate of Eagles defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, never developed into the star the Lions thought they were getting when they drafted him. A change in defensive schemes last year seemed to give Sims problems, reports from Detroit indicated, and with the regime that drafted him long gone, his departure wasn't a shock.
"They tried so many different solutions" in Detroit, Sims said. "Different head coaches, different coordinators, different GMs." He indicated he got lost in the shuffle of the NFL's losingest franchise.
The Eagles now own 10 picks in the upcoming draft: 1st round (24th overall), 2nd round (37, 55), 3rd round (70, 87), 4th round (105, 121), 6th round (200), 7th round (243, 244).
Sims, 6-0, 230, said he hasn't discussed his Eagles role with any coaches yet.
Asked whether he viewed Sims as a starter, Roseman said, "We’ll figure all of that out, we do. He’s a starter in the National Football League, but we’re trying to create competition. We have a lot of starters on our defense and our offense. We think he brings that.”
Comment removed.
This is a GREAT pickup for a 5th round pick. If you have BS to say about this move then you are an idiot!— rubbergash- for a 5th rounder it was a great play better than Akeem Jordan and Gocong— dcram1980
- bleed green forever - AGREE 100%. Classic Negadelphia. Reading this board, you'd think the Eagles were the Lions....they aren't. Like the few astute FANS have noted, this is a SMART move because, for the low cost of a 5th round pick, the Eagles can assess the player for one year, determine if he's a good fit and THEN sign him (see Weaver, Leonard)....as opposed to overpaying for some rock star free agent, realizing he DOESN'T fit the system and then being stuck with a big contract (see Snyder, Daniel). I think they know what they are doing.— reils
- There's nothing about this trade that can be critiziced. So of course the crybabies are doing just that.— bobbyd24
- Good deal! Sims is a Philly kind of player, he will give up the body to deliver a big hit. He was the captain on defense too, so some needed defensive leadership skills are filled.— Tom98786
- I am amazed that this rumor wasn't out there, what with all the alleged experts who write columns and post here ... guess nobody really knows anything when it comes right down to it ... including whether Denver will get "lucky" with the 137th pick, if they keep it, and draft a future superstar... then we'll hear how the Eagles screwed up because they ( along with 136 other picks ) didn't select ...— AsValidAsYours
- Oh yeah that's what I'm talking about. This has the potential to be great value for the 137th pick. Plus he's not due too much salary. Just check his stats you'll like what you see. He's real active and can cover.— Murrayman
- Outstanding at FSU but coming off serious injury. My concern is why a poor quality team like the Lions got rid of him. Hate to be so pessimistic but the linebackers are now all walking wounded. All of them.— dapmman
- Stinky bologna, thank you for telling me it's going to be ok. What a load off...I mean, if you sign off on this trade, everything must be great and on the way up. But I guess you're missing the point of having now 3 weakside lb's (Gaither, Jordan and Sims), but no SAM and a recovering MIKE. But it's only 1 level of defense, I'm sure the lineman and db's will cover up their play.— Bleue
- I like Ernie Sims. I think he is a very aggressive Lb that is too aggressive, that is why he's injured so much. He throws his body around. I agree he's a Weak side linebacker because of his height and weight. If they can get that kid Hall to play smart football, then they would be a nice duo. Only question is where does that leave Akeem Jordan, Fokou and Mays..— riza1976
- Is he as good as Witherspoon, whom they cut? One of these years, the Eagles will figure out their linebacker situation. They are an inept bunch of bafoons when it comes to linebacker evaluation.— Pat c
instant upgrade over Akeem Jordan or Omar Gaither- Comment removed.
Wow, we actually addressed the LB issue. Lets see if we actually keep him.
