Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

More interesting Philly drama:

[url]http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/PHI/8781467[/url]

PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 28, 2005) -- The [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/news/PHI"]Philadelphia Eagles[/url] withdrew their franchise tag on former first-round draft pick [url="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/187398"]Corey Simon[/url], making the defensive tackle an unrestricted free agent.

Simon was offered a one-year franchise tender, but wanted a long-term contract and never signed the deal or reported to training camp. With the franchise tag, another team would have forfeited two first-round picks if they signed the former Pro Bowl lineman.

"We appreciate all that Corey has done for this organization over the last five years," coach Andy Reid said. "With the great amount of depth and talent we have along the defensive line, we chose to give Corey an opportunity to sign with another team."

Simon was the Eagles' first-round pick and the sixth overall selection in the 2000 draft. In five seasons with Philadelphia, Simon had 211 tackles and 32 sacks.

He set the Eagles' rookie record for sacks with 9.5 in 2000 -- including one of Dallas' Troy Aikman on his first career play.

Simon was selected for the Pro Bowl after recording 64 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 2003.

Certainly, Simon's high asking price was a factor in the Eagles cutting him loose, but so was their depth at defensive tackle. [url="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/187671"]Darwin Walker[/url] and [url="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/4385"]Hollis Thomas[/url] start for the Eagles and first-round pick Mike Patterson has had a strong preseason.

"I think we are playing pretty good defense right now. To say I wish Corey was not here, no I wish he was here, but he's not here and, I said it before, we just move on," defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said last week. "It's an opportunity for those other guys that are playing pretty well."

Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

This is an interesting development. I'm glad he's left Philly but I hope that we don't even consider signing him; he'll ask for too much money and he's overrated.

Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

Wish we could get him at a reasonable price though. Imagine him lined up next to Griffin.

Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

[QUOTE=Kevikazi]Wish we could get him at a reasonable price though. Imagine him lined up next to Griffin.[/QUOTE]

I honestly think his name is a lot bigger than his heart/talent. He's not nearly as talented as "experts" give him credit for. He was going to be benched last season (after the Steelers game) because he was playing so poorly against the run.

Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

Give me Griff, Salave'a, and Noble.....no more splashy FA signings.

Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

[QUOTE=12thMan]Give me Griff, Salevea, and Noble.....no more splashy FA signings.[/QUOTE]

Thank you. Anyone remember the last time we signed an Eagle who had a franchise tag lifted from him?

Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

[QUOTE=Ramseyfan]Thank you. Anyone remember the last time we signed an Eagle who had a franchise tag lifted from him?[/QUOTE]


How about.....hmmm J. Trotter. What a bust!!

Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

Quick! Someone tie down Snyder!:biggthump

Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

I didn't know about Simon almost getting benched. I think we still need another solid DT though, just in case Noble's knee doesn't hold up. Salave'a and Boschetti(sp?) are good players in rotation, and I'm not too sure on Cedric Killings.

Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

I'm guessing this is because the Green Bay proposed trade broke down. Good news for us, no matter where he signs.

Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

The only position on our defense im not 100% on is definitely cornerback. I think we'll be ok. But I would love an upgrade.

Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

[QUOTE=BrudLee]I'm guessing this is because the Green Bay proposed trade broke down. Good news for us, no matter where he signs.[/QUOTE]

I thought the Packers were having cap problems. How were they going to afford Simon? What were they offering Philly?

Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

lemme be the first to say i'd be glad to see Simon in a skins uniform, he's not that old and Noble freely admits he's rusty (and running on an essentially artificial knee). maybe Simon just wants the respect of a long term deal and not necessarily megabucks.

our defensive line has been great at stuffing the run, but no one's gonna say it brought a pass rush on it's own. our sack leader was a CORNER! with a little more push from the front four our defense would have been no.1 instead of no.3

Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

[QUOTE=illdefined]lemme be the first to say i'd be glad to see Simon in a skins uniform, he's not that old and Noble freely admits he's rusty (and running on an essentially artificial knee). maybe Simon just wants the respect of a long term deal and not necessarily megabucks.

our defensive line has been great at stuffing the run, but no one's gonna say it brought a pass rush on it's own. our sack leader was a CORNER! with a little more push from the front four our defense would have been no.1 instead of no.3[/QUOTE]

Two questions:

1. How would we afford Simon? Even if he's after "respect," he'll still command a ton of bucks.

2. I know it's strange for a corner to lead the team in sacks, but ultimately was there anything wrong with our defense last year?

Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
 

k, my two answers.

1. the philly org. is infamous for treating players as completely expendable. a little Snyder attention, a back loaded long term incentive based contract and the best opportunity to spite the Eagles may just do the trick. like a more enlightened version of the Trotter deal. better numbers, better player.

2. again, a little more defensive action in the backfield instead of relying so much on the secondary would put our defense over the edge. our secondary is restructuring, and while it may end up better than it was before sometime over this season, it'd be best if the QB didn't even get that chance to test them.