Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon

MTK · 08-28-2005, 10:40 PM

More interesting Philly drama:

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/PHI/8781467

PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 28, 2005) -- The Philadelphia Eagles withdrew their franchise tag on former first-round draft pick Corey Simon, 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. Darwin Walker and Hollis Thomas 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."

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 08-28-2005, 10:45 PM

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.

Kevikazi · 08-28-2005, 10:50 PM

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

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 08-28-2005, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevikazi

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

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.

12thMan · 08-28-2005, 11:01 PM

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

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 08-28-2005, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Give me Griff, Salevea, and Noble.....no more splashy FA signings.

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

12thMan · 08-28-2005, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramseyfan

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

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

GoSkins! · 08-28-2005, 11:28 PM

Quick! Someone tie down Snyder!

Kevikazi · 08-28-2005, 11:42 PM

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.

BrudLee · 08-28-2005, 11:42 PM

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

Monksdown · 08-28-2005, 11:44 PM

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.

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 08-29-2005, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrudLee

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

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

illdefined · 08-29-2005, 12:18 AM

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

Sheriff Gonna Getcha · 08-29-2005, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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?

illdefined · 08-29-2005, 12:50 AM

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.

08-28-2005, 10:40 PM	#1
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,518	Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon More interesting Philly drama: http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/PHI/8781467 PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 28, 2005) -- The Philadelphia Eagles withdrew their franchise tag on former first-round draft pick Corey Simon, 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. Darwin Walker and Hollis Thomas 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." __________________ Support The Warpath! \| Warpath Shop

08-28-2005, 10:45 PM	#2
Sheriff Gonna Getcha Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 45 Posts: 8,317	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.

08-28-2005, 10:50 PM	#3
Kevikazi Special Teams Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Maryland Age: 55 Posts: 187	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.

08-28-2005, 11:01 PM	#5
12thMan MVP Join Date: May 2005 Location: washington, D.C. Posts: 11,460	Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon Give me Griff, Salave'a, and Noble.....no more splashy FA signings.

08-28-2005, 11:28 PM	#8
GoSkins! The Starter Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Yorktown, Va Age: 55 Posts: 1,587	Re: Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon Quick! Someone tie down Snyder! __________________ Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts. A. Einstien

08-28-2005, 11:42 PM	#9
Kevikazi Special Teams Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Maryland Age: 55 Posts: 187	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.

08-28-2005, 11:42 PM	#10
BrudLee Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE Posts: 3,494	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. __________________ There's nowhere to go but up. Or down. I guess we could stay where we are, too.

08-28-2005, 11:44 PM	#11
Monksdown The Starter Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Warrenton, Virginia Age: 44 Posts: 1,515	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.

08-29-2005, 12:18 AM	#13
illdefined Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: nyc Age: 48 Posts: 2,631	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

08-29-2005, 12:50 AM	#15
illdefined Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: nyc Age: 48 Posts: 2,631	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.

Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon

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