Post by EagleGene on Aug 28, 2005 23:41:06 GMT -5
Eagles withdraw franchise tag on DT Simon
By DAN GELSTON, AP Sports Writer
August 28, 2005
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia Eagles withdrew their franchise tag on former first-round draft pick Corey Simon on Sunday, making the defensive tackle an unrestricted free agent.
Simon was offered a one-year franchise tender worth about $5.13 million, but wanted a long-term contract, never signed the deal or reported to the minicamps or training camp. With the franchise tag, another team would have forfeited two first-round picks if they signed the former Pro Bowl lineman.
``I didn't expect them to lift the tag,'' Simon told The Philadelphia Inquirer. ``This gives me a chance to be a free agent, but I have mixed feelings. I'm going to miss the guys I played with there and the coaches I played under. I had a great five years, and I enjoyed every minute of it.''
Simon, 6-foot-2, 293 pounds, was the Eagles' first-round pick and the sixth overall selection in the 2000 draft. In five seasons with Philadelphia, Simon had 270 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.
``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.''
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.''
The Eagles have some history with this kind of move.
After the 2001 season, the Eagles named middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter their franchise player. Trotter had a bitter contract dispute with the Eagles and complained about the tag before it was removed. He then signed with Washington and returned to the Eagles last year.
Dumping Simon means one less distraction for the NFC champions who also are involved in contract disputes with wide receiver Terrell Owens and running back Brian Westbrook.
Westbrook skipped a week of training camp, showing his unhappiness over being unable to work out a long-term deal with Philadelphia. Owens and agent Drew Rosenhaus have protested the Eagles' refusal to rework the wide receiver's deal as he enters the second season of a seven-year, $48.97 million contract.
Updated on Sunday, Aug 28, 2005 10:01 pm EDT
By DAN GELSTON, AP Sports Writer
August 28, 2005
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia Eagles withdrew their franchise tag on former first-round draft pick Corey Simon on Sunday, making the defensive tackle an unrestricted free agent.
Simon was offered a one-year franchise tender worth about $5.13 million, but wanted a long-term contract, never signed the deal or reported to the minicamps or training camp. With the franchise tag, another team would have forfeited two first-round picks if they signed the former Pro Bowl lineman.
``I didn't expect them to lift the tag,'' Simon told The Philadelphia Inquirer. ``This gives me a chance to be a free agent, but I have mixed feelings. I'm going to miss the guys I played with there and the coaches I played under. I had a great five years, and I enjoyed every minute of it.''
Simon, 6-foot-2, 293 pounds, was the Eagles' first-round pick and the sixth overall selection in the 2000 draft. In five seasons with Philadelphia, Simon had 270 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.
``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.''
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.''
The Eagles have some history with this kind of move.
After the 2001 season, the Eagles named middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter their franchise player. Trotter had a bitter contract dispute with the Eagles and complained about the tag before it was removed. He then signed with Washington and returned to the Eagles last year.
Dumping Simon means one less distraction for the NFC champions who also are involved in contract disputes with wide receiver Terrell Owens and running back Brian Westbrook.
Westbrook skipped a week of training camp, showing his unhappiness over being unable to work out a long-term deal with Philadelphia. Owens and agent Drew Rosenhaus have protested the Eagles' refusal to rework the wide receiver's deal as he enters the second season of a seven-year, $48.97 million contract.
Updated on Sunday, Aug 28, 2005 10:01 pm EDT