The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired outside linebacker Ernie Sims from the Detroit Lions in a three-team trade. The three teams involved are the Eagles, Lions and the Denver Broncos
Sims was supposed to be a beast when he came out of college.¬† I remember all the predictions that were made of him being a perennial Pro Bowler.¬† I think this was one of Lions general manager Matt Millen’s final drafts.
Things haven’t worked out for Sims.¬† He’s been mediocre at best.¬† The Lions defense has been horrible during his time there, so I don’t see any way you have anything but question marks at obtaining this guy.
We will be able to ask him how it feels to be a winless football team.¬† Yes Sims was on that Lions team that was so bad that they didn’t win a single game.
Sims is supposed to be an outstanding athlete and a very good tackler, but that was before he went to Detroit.
The Birds sent a fifth-round pick to the Denver Broncos.  The Broncos traded their veteran tight end Tony Scheffler and a seventh-round pick to Detroit.
Scheffler was on the chopping block all off season.  It was just a matter of time when the machete was going to get him.
Join GCobb.com for Eagles Draft Talk tomorrow night at 7pm at P.J. Whelhan’s on Rte. 70 in Cherry Hill, NJ. ¬†We’re going to do a mock draft and talk about what the Eagles should do in the upcoming draft.
There’ll be plenty of great wings and you’ll be able to get $10 dollar domestic draft pitchers. ¬†We’ll have prizes to win and a good time to be had.
“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 (6-0, 230) was originally a first-round choice (ninth overall selection) of the Lions in 2006 and has since played in 59 games (56 starts) for Detroit, totaling 505 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and one interception. The 25-year-old linebacker played in 11 games (eight starts) in 2009, and compiled 49 tackles and one forced fumble.
Now in his fifth season out of Florida State, Sims was immediately plugged into the Lions starting lineup and earned Pro Football Weekly all-rookie honors in 2006 after starting all 16 games and leading the team with 144 tackles. He was named the team’s defensive captain for the 2007 and 2008 seasons, starting all 32 games in that span, pacing the team with 312 tackles.
A native of Tallahassee, FL, Sims’ father, Ernie Jr., played running back at Florida State from 1977-81, and his mother, Alice Bennett, was an All-American sprinter on the Seminole track team from 1980-83.
This marks the fifth trade of the 2010 offseason for the Eagles and the third for a veteran defensive player (DE Darryl Tapp, LB Alex Hall). 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).
This is who alot of people, including me wanted the Eagles to draft in ’06.
Was a great player out of College, very athletic and a tackling machine…
For the Eagles 5th Rd pick (#137 Overall) probably a good move with little downside,
Now it looks like a LB Corps of Sims,Bradley and Jordan with Fokou & Hall and a 2010 draft pick as back-ups. Gaither,Mays,and T White will battle it out for a final roster spot it appears.
Also takes away a need in the draft, allowing the Eagles to focus on the secondary and the interior o-line. Even though it’s lost a lot of steam with the acquisition of Darryl Tapp, I still think that DE is necessary, since a good pass rush will mask a lot of problems a secondary has (circa 2007 Giants), especially a young secondary the Eagles will be fielding in 2010.
Sounds like a cheaper Will Witherspoon. I hope it does work out though so we’ll see.
I like it. A first rounder from 2006 who is only 25 years old and was a captain on his team? Not too shabby. Even if he ends up being a back-up, who cares. We only gave up a fifth rounder.
The only down side is that he’s in the last year of his contract.
I don’t know much about the guy, but I’m from old school. I like a LB with some size. The Eagles finally corrected started grabbing bigger LBs 3 years ago. Looks like we’re reverting. Hey, it’s a passing league and you’ve got to be able to cover, which works in the favor of smaller LBs, but you got to be able to stop the run, too.
Get him in, lock him in a room and give him nothing but game film on Whitten, Cooley and Boss.
This guy is better than Will Witherspoon. Mark my words…
He has been playing for the worst team in the past decade. Not to mention he was drafted in 2006 and had to learn the Tampa 2 defensive system, which is not a cake-walk. Also, the Lions defense was on the field more than any team in the league, and Sims was one guy that didn’t have a replacement. He didn’t rotate, so he was on the field A LOT. This can leave a guy pretty tired and drained and not performing to the top of his ability 100% of the time.
This guy will be a solid solid LB next to Bradley, mark my words. He is undersized a bit, but he hits like a mack truck and is fast enough to go sideline to sidelien.
By the looks of it we traded the 5th rounder we got from Cleveland. So we basically traded Gocong for Sims. This is a solid move for the Birds.
Excellent point Greenphan…
They way the Eagles are maneuvering and have added young,hungry but experienced players on the Defense in Tapp,M Jackson,Hall,and now Sims, they can really focus on CB,S,OL & DT on these early rounds…and may actually suprise us all with grabbing a WR,TE or RB earlier than many of us expect..
We will have to see how it works out. Worst case there will be good battle at camp may the best man win.
Great move. Low risk, high reward. I think he’ll end up starting but if not, it was a good move regardless. This guy’s going to be great competition for Jordan.
@ Paul Mancini:
“Gaither,Mays,and T White will battle it out for a final roster spot it appears.”
Eagles didn’t resign Tracy White, but I pray to sweet Jesus they bring him back
Hopefully a change in address, and a winning organization will have Sims realize some of the potential that many saw in him exiting college. For a 5th round pick looks like a positive move. The real story for the LB’s is whether or not Bradley can return from his injury and play a the same level, if not it will continue to be a merry-go-round of players until they can find a combination that will work.
Sims could also slip inside and play MLB in case Bradley was not a 100% or to have the flexibility of Bradley being able to go play OLB versus certain TE’s in certain pass Coverages..
This guy can be a placeholder for a year, so that they can rebuild the D over 2 years. Combine the picks to get Impact players. If they came out of the draft with 2 studs, I would be happy.
TraderPaul,I know that he has played MLB in the past in Detroit, but what is he, 6′ 0″ and about 230#, not the real anchor you want in the middle. Is the guy healthy? I believe he missed the end of the season with a shoulder injury. We will need to wait and see, but still positive about the move for a 5th rounder.
Playing him playing MLB? Once again that would putting in a player is a different position that he’s accustomed to and he’s undersized for that position. Please stop it. This is not Madden and just plug in players all over the field. Especially with the brusing running attacks of the NFC East. Another Will Witherspoon. Just cheaper. But that’s not a bad thing. Witherspoon had to play out of his position and with a banged up LB corp so I’d take it combined with Bradley. But we will see. I’m not going to get excited over this guy. It is only April. Also I don’t care that he was a former 1st round pick. So was Jason Babin. I hope he turns out to be good for us, but I’ll wait until the season starts to fall into the hype.
The eagles have upgraded. They basically traded Chris Gocong (a mistake at LB) for a former 1st round top 10 pick that is entering what should be the best 5-8 years of his career 25-33 years old. The risk is minimal. If he does not work out you let him go with no big contract worries. If he works out he is a guy in an age range they would re-sign.
This guy is not a MLB though but maybe he and jordan can hold down the outside.
Good. Good. Good. Who doesnt suffer going to Detroit? This may just be a friggin steal! Either way its an improvement and it cost just a measley 5th rd. pick. Good job Howie.
It looks like the birds have done their homework, bringing in guys where they needed help. This pick-up came really cheap, and has a lot of upside. Simms went to the worst team in the NFL, and didn’t do much. He’s got to be excited joining the birds. Filling these needs gives us some wiggle room on draft day.
I like this move as much as Tapp.
Makes me wonder why the Lions would bother getting rid of the guy. They surely cant be that desperate for a TE or a 7th. They got Pettigrew last year and he was starting to come along nicely..
this is a great trade. he is a monster at lb. he was on a horrible d that never had anyone to help him. this guy is a hungry tackler and will vastly improve our d and he will hit anything in his way.
Finally a SIGNIFICANT move. Its about time
The guy was fast like 4.3-4.4 but only has 2.5 sacks in four years. how could he be so missused. Let’s wait and see before we put him in the HOF
Reports are that Sims did not fit in the new system in detroit that requires bigger line backers. He was in the last year of his deal and would likely have become a free agent next year. So detroit McNabbed Sims and moved him while they benefited instead of losing him for no value. Something = Better than nothing. That must have been the same thinking for the broncos as they also traded a good player in scheffler (remember people screaming for us to trade for him last year) who was also likely to become a free agent and ask for a bigger pay day than denver wanted to give him. Also a report suggested that schelffler agreed not to hold out of camp as part of this deal.
I think this move could be huge. Roseman and co have really done a good job at getting quality (maybe stars maybe not but quality) young players in here and moving out older overpayed guys.
Detroit Linebackers-Not such a big difference in size?
. Name Pos Ht Wt Exp College
46 Vinny Circiu LB 6-0 240 8 Boston College
57 Jordon Dizon LB 6-0 232 3 Colorado
49 Zack Follett LB 6-1 236 2 California
55 Landon Johnson LB 6-2 232 7 Purdue
54 DeAndre Levy LB 6-2 238 2 Wisconsin
58 Ashlee Palmer LB 6-1 236 2 Mississippi
59 Julian Peterson LB 6-3 245 11 Michigan State
50 Ernie Sims LB 6-0 230 5 Florida State
Any way you slice it this is a good deal for the Eagles. Any time you can get a former first round pick for a 5th rounder (which turn out to be worthless about 90% of the time) you made out well.
Even if the guy doesn’t turn into the Pro Bowler he was projected to be, if he can contribute in any meaningful way it was well worth it. They DESPERATELY need help at LB.
Glad to see everybody feeling good about their Iggles today. Das wassup.
Matt Millen said he hit so hard he knocked himsef out. Is that good or bad? In 2009 he suffered shoulder injury and hamstring problems. But Howie loves the way he flies aroud and throws his body around even though his production has declined the last two years. Who knows what to think. Great choice or another Booker.
G Any chance that the eagles Package a future pick the 55 and one of out third rounders to the Redskins for the 4th overall? The skins only have 4 picks and the right package would allow us to take.
Berry or Thomas and then Pouncey in round 1. If we keep the 5th pick in round 2 we get a corner and man that would be a great two days for us.
Eagles making moves! I love it I feel like its a early draft day.
Regal – that’s impossible. The value is all wrong. Plus, the Skins don’t value draft picks. Wake up knucklehead
The Chiefs at 5 will be the key for Berry. If KC and Seattle take an OT then it comes down to whether the Browns want to take a QB or Berry. If eagles want Berry they will have to get him by trading with with their old mates over at Cleveland.
Look for the Eagles to package Asante and some high picks plus Vick to move up dramatically in the 1st rd. Id rather keep Asante but all indications are the Eagles are cleaning house. can you imagine if they somehow landed Suh? Wow.
Ernie Sims is a football player, he will run and hit all day long, it’s unfortunate he was stuck in Detroit playing for coaches and front office people that didn’t draft him. Excellent pick up for the Birds.
Sorry, his 2.5 sacks leaves me wondering why everyone is so damn excited. That stinks! Remember we were so excited to draft Gocong? He was gonna be awesome, remember? And boy were we excited when we got Witherspoon. Good deal, Eagles. Brilliant! Then we let him go after 1 year! The Eagles are taking a shot, that’s all, and it’s a long shot!
1960
A. Sims is a linebacker (Not all systems have LBs with a ton of sacks especially ones that can cover TE’s)
B Football is a team sport
C – Z He played for Detroit!!!!! (see B)
Fansince1960
Im just happy they are trying to do something to improve im not saying its the answer to our LB woes but they are trying. Cmon a 5th round pick for Erin Sims is awesome.
Regal 7 VR, I hope so. I want to see this defense be successful and aggressive once again.
There was NO ONE to play behind Jordan. Jordan was an okay player for us, it’s just that everyone else was horrible so it made him look even better. Now, with Sims starting at the weakside, we have a good WLB with a pretty decent backup; not a pretty decent backup with NO backup. Now we just need a realistic MLB backup and TWO Sam-backers.
Looks like he will be back to running behind bunkley. nice move. i like it.
to all haters of how i write and speak english. i bet you do not even remember that bunkley from florida state. i told you i know this team backwards and forwards. kiss my russian foot
Alex Hall from the Browns is also a DE, which just tells me they really have no interest in drafting a DE high unless one one of the top two just happen fall into their lap…which is stupid. If they were at all confident in their ability to draft defensive talent they wouldn’t have tried to get Ernie Simms, it just doesn’t look good. The Eagles defensive system isn’t a cakewalk, but Akeem Jordan knows the system so there’s no guarantee Simms is even a starter for the Eagles. They’re still going to need to draft a legitimate young SAM LB to back-up Bradley and potentially start if Bradley has any more injury issues/complications.
THIS IS EXCITING!!!..Another player got on the cheap (5th round) who so happened to have done absolutely nothing on a losing franchise. Call a press conference so we can take a little attention from a real championship franchise like the Phillies, and maybe we can get a little natonal “pub” by introducing tHE second coming of “Lawrence Taylor”. GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK!!!!!!!!!