Bengals made a move for Corey Simon

[BlainThePain]

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/12316390.htm

Corey Simon: His demands keep Birds from dealing him.

By Bob Brookover

Inquirer Staff Writer

Two teams have contacted the Eagles since the start of training camp to inquire about the availability of defensive tackle Corey Simon, an NFL source said yesterday. He did not identify the teams.

The source said the response from the Eagles was that Simon would be available in a trade to any team that can work out a contract extension with him, but both teams deemed his salary demands too high.

Simon, who has refused to sign the $5.13 million contract tender that he received after the Eagles placed the franchise-player tag on him in February, is boycotting training camp because he has not received an extension.

The Eagles have not spoken with Simon's agent, Roosevelt Barnes, in some time because the sides are so far apart on the player's market value. The team made it known throughout the off-season that Simon, 28, was available.

Barnes did not return a phone call asking for comment yesterday.

The league source said that both the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals reached agreement with the Eagles over compensation for Simon, but that the deals fell apart during contract negotiations with Barnes. The source said that an unidentified team also contacted the Eagles in the off-season, but that it backed off when told of Simon's contract demands.

A report in the Trenton Times on Friday said the Buffalo Bills are among the teams interested in Simon, but Eagles president Joe Banner said yesterday that the Eagles had not heard from them.

Given that five teams have been scared away by Simon's contract desires, it remains likely that he will open the season on the Eagles' roster playing for $5.13 million. That scenario would be fine with the Eagles as long as the sixth-year veteran reports in shape.

Simon said Monday that he will be ready when he joins the Eagles.

"I know my body, and I know what I have to do to be ready to help this team win the Super Bowl," he said.

The Eagles don't anticipate Simon's signature on his contract and arrival at training camp until at least the end of this month and possibly early next month. Their season opens Sept. 12 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Contact staff writer Bob Brookover at 215-854-2577 or bbrookover@phillynews.com.

[schweinhart]

Just heard on the Network that the Bills have indeed moved in behind the Ratbirds and Bengals to make their bid for Simon.

It'd have been interesting to see what the Eagles had agree to with the Bengals in the way of compensation for Simon: I'd guess K-Dub and a 3rd in 2006.

If the Bengals had a shot at Simon then they had to go for it. He's far better than any DT they got.

[HoosierCat]

If the Bengals had a shot at Simon then they had to go for it. He's far better than any DT they got.

Perhaps...but the word out of Philly was that his contract demands were ludicrious. Reportedly, the Eagles offered him a deal averaging $6 million a year with a $10 million signing bonus, and he called it an "insult." Given the fact that neither the Eagles nor the Bengals nor the Ravens have been able to come to doable contract terms, I expect his attitude hasn't improved.

[CantStop85]

Too much money and too much compensation required.

I'll pass.

[schweinhart]

If the Bengals had a shot at Simon then they had to go for it. He's far better than any DT they got.

Perhaps...but the word out of Philly was that his contract demands were ludicrious. Reportedly, the Eagles offered him a deal averaging $6 million a year with a $10 million signing bonus, and he called it an "insult." Given the fact that neither the Eagles nor the Bengals nor the Ravens have been able to come to doable contract terms, I expect his attitude hasn't improved.

I would at least hope that the Bengals checked to see where the contract talks between Simon and the Eagles stood before ironing out compensation.

Can't imagine that any other team would jump in if they didn't think they could one up the offer on the table unless it's just a situation like Dillon was where the player wanted out bad enough to take less money.

[HoosierCat]

The latest of Simon from the f2fa Eagles board...

http://www.concretefield.com/forum/index.php?topic=15927.0

Worth a read if only because of the Corey Simon/Takeo Spikes trade rumor that pops up on page 2!

[schweinhart]

Yeah, there's no way the Billievers buy into TKO trade. But there is a good point about clearing cap space if Simon goes to the Other Mistake on the Lake.

I can see where the Eagles might be in the market for an LB since they'll be relying on a couple of rooks this year plus a repeat performance of Trotter playing out of his mind.

The Birds are stacked at DT and getting them to agree to trade terms over Simon shouldn't be that hard.

The Bills proly are looking hard at DT. I watched some scrimmage last night between Bills-Pack. Sam Adams is still indomitable and doublewide but Ron Edwards does look like a substantial downgrade from Pat Williams.

[bengalboomer7]

Wow, I'm suprised we even agreed to terms with the Eagles. The Bengals are usually nowhere to be found on big time moves like this. While I think this will never happen it's at least nice to here the Bengals seeking high caliber pro bowl players. To me, that at least shows a high commitment to winning :player: Woah, I got light headed just saying that

[HoosierCat]

While I think this will never happen it's at least nice to here the Bengals seeking high caliber pro bowl players. To me, that at least shows a high commitment to winning :player:

It also provides more evidence that Marvin's bit about the defensive line not being the problem when it comes to stopping the run is so much PR fluff. This is the third time that he's tried, and failed, to upgrade DT with a top player (Sapp, Gardener, now Simon). Last year's failures left us with Tony Williams, this year the consolation prize apparently was Bryan Robinson. Hopefully, he works out a bit better...

[HoosierCat]

The Bills proly are looking hard at DT. I watched some scrimmage last night between Bills-Pack. Sam Adams is still indomitable and doublewide but Ron Edwards does look like a substantial downgrade from Pat Williams.

Yeah, there's some chatter on the Bills board about the virtues, or lack thereof, of cutting a deal with Simon and forking over a wideout to the Eagles as compensation. I can't see Buffalo being in any hurry to deprive Losman of weapons, tho, kid will need all the help he can get; and after Moulds, do they really have anyone the eagles might want?

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Don't see where Simon is a huge upgrade over Thorton or Robinson ultimately, thus he's too expensive for his own good.

[CantStop85]

and after Moulds, do they really have anyone the eagles might want?

Lee Evans, but there's no chance that the Bills will trade him.

[schweinhart]

Don't see where Simon is a huge upgrade over Thorton or Robinson ultimately, thus he's too expensive for his own good.

If Simon is healthy and willing to give 100 % at the line, he's awfully good. His greatest strength is his athletic ability combined with upper leg strength on the scale of non-human proportion like the old Cowboy Robert Newhouse -- thighs the size of tree trunks.

But there's enough red flags w/ Simon to not give him the bank IMO, even though a $12 mill SB over 5 yrs plus 2005 salary could be worked capwise to cost about what it would be to cut P-Dub and a couple RFAs.

Tradewise, I gotta wonder about the Eagles desire for a WR. Both the Ratbirds and Bills are WR challenged to say the least. They have no one to spare.

Besides, Stinkston sucks. The Eagles drafted Reggie Brown -- who should come out flying right away -- and Greg Lewis, who showed he's a viable deep threat.

I would have to guess that the Eagles are primarily seeking draft picks in trading Simon.

[kingwilly]

Here's a thought.

Since Philly has a green LB corp, how about a package with Simmons and a WR? Clears some cap with Simmons in the deal. Not sure if they want a decent OLB who is past his zenith. THen we might not have to give up a pick.

Of the WR's, Washington has good appeal. Another name to toss around would be TJ. Not so long ago, we all thought he'd be cut. With Henry coming on well and a KW, maybe TJ could go to Phil.

The D sounds like it is almost there. Maybe a Simon deal is not so far off.

If I were Philly, I'd wait to see who gets released/cut.

[badassBENGAL]

Here's a thought.

Since Philly has a green LB corp, how about a package with Simmons and a WR? Clears some cap with Simmons in the deal. Not sure if they want a decent OLB who is past his zenith. THen we might not have to give up a pick.

Of the WR's, Washington has good appeal. Another name to toss around would be TJ. Not so long ago, we all thought he'd be cut. With Henry coming on well and a KW, maybe TJ could go to Phil.

The D sounds like it is almost there. Maybe a Simon deal is not so far off.

If I were Philly, I'd wait to see who gets released/cut.

Yea, let's trade the best and most reliable LB we've had for a while, then lets go ahead and start 2 rookies and a 2nd yr player who played MLB last year, and put him at OLB. You are truly one smart man.

[CantStop85]

With Henry coming on well and a KW, maybe TJ could go to Phil.

You guys are overestimating our receiving depth now. Beyond TJ and CJ, there's not a single receiver who doesn't have some type of question mark. Warrick might not be healthy, Washington hasn't been productive the last 2 years, Henry's a rookie, Perry's a rookie....etc.

With TJ's new contract in place, there's no chance on earth that we are going to trade him anytime soon.

[derekshank]

Hey guys... our first pre-season game is on friday. This means that starting this weekend we will no longer have to attempt to get our Bengals fix disscusing things that have a 0% chance of becoming reality. This makes me very happy.

[HoosierCat]

Assuming, of course, that Friday doesn't demonstrate that one of those

things that have a 0% chance of becoming reality

is our run defense.

[badassBENGAL]

Assuming, of course, that Friday doesn't demonstrate that one of those

things that have a 0% chance of becoming reality

is our run defense.

smooth

[BengalBax]

Here's a thought.

Since Philly has a green LB corp, how about a package with Simmons and a WR? Clears some cap with Simmons in the deal. Not sure if they want a decent OLB who is past his zenith. THen we might not have to give up a pick.

Of the WR's, Washington has good appeal. Another name to toss around would be TJ. Not so long ago, we all thought he'd be cut. With Henry coming on well and a KW, maybe TJ could go to Phil.

The D sounds like it is almost there. Maybe a Simon deal is not so far off.

If I were Philly, I'd wait to see who gets released/cut.

This sounds like the worst idea I have ever heard. Simmons is the heart of our LB core. But wait we have Pollack, oh no wait, he's a holdout. Better hang onto Simms.

[ArmyBengal]

It also provides more evidence that Marvin's bit about the defensive line not being the problem when it comes to stopping the run is so much PR fluff. This is the third time that he's tried, and failed, to upgrade DT with a top player (Sapp, Gardener, now Simon). Last year's failures left us with Tony Williams, this year the consolation prize apparently was Bryan Robinson. Hopefully, he works out a bit better...

Holy crap Joisey, couldn't have said it better... This is the one part of the team that is, at best, questionable... You would be better off getting kicked in the balls than believe all the crap about "you have 11 players to stop the run and it didn't happen" as an excuse for last years defense. Our D-line has been horrible and all hopes are that two more rookies (One not in camp yet) and a free agent (The only one who actually plays ON THE LINE) are the answers to our sh*tty run D. God knows I hope our D has the "Let's go hit someone" mentality, but it's hard for me to believe that our D-line is NOT a concern for the coaching staff. ML stated prior to last years draft, the D-line (specifically DT) was a priority, then did nothing IMO to fix that "priority" and don't say Askew... Since then, we have been going round and round. God I hope Pollack gets in camp and they all prove me wrong !!!

WHODEY !!!

[HoosierCat]

On the subject of the defensive line, I happened across this today at football outsiders, the uber-number-crunchers of NFLdom.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/dl2004.php

Scroll all the way down to the last chart. Where were we weakest vs. the run? RDT and straight up the middle.

Meanwhile, someone needs to give some props to Thornton...

[derekshank]

On the subject of the defensive line, I happened across this today at football outsiders, the uber-number-crunchers of NFLdom.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/dl2004.php

Scroll all the way down to the last chart. Where were we weakest vs. the run? RDT and straight up the middle.

Meanwhile, someone needs to give some props to Thornton...

Thanks Joisey, that's some interesting info... but I think I'm a little confused.

It says that

These runs are from the perspective of the OFFENSE, so a run listed as LEFT TACKLE is actually at the RIGHT defensive end.

So the Right Tackle stat isn't actually Thornton, but last year would have been Clemons and Geathers... right?

However, what I'm confused about is that they have 5 directions that there are stas for. LEFT END, LEFT TACKLE, MID/GUARD, RIGHT TACKLE, and RIGHT END.

So what is the difference between Left End and Left Tackle if the stats are from the perspective of the offense? Aren't those two stats essentially the same thing when it comes to the lines?

Not to mention that if LT is from an offense's perspective that means that Justin Smith was dead last in the league in stopping the run. His run stopping skills are his strength, so I don't think I'm reading this correctly.

The only thing that I'm really sure of with this stat line is that the Mid/Guard stat is the defense's DT position(s). We had a 4-3 last year and were ranked 29th. Therefore, no props to Thornton... hopefully having 2 decent DT's (rather than one decent one and one slouch) will help us out here.

[kingwilly]

ok, i had some lame ideas about a trade fpr Corey Simon. These are fueled by visions of KK arm tackling J. Lewis as he is the first guy to hit him 7 yrds downfield. It is like a nightmare. Make it stop. Make it stop.

Simon would get here and promptly herniate a disc anyways!

[CantStop85]

ok, i had some lame ideas about a trade fpr Corey Simon. These are fueled by visions of KK arm tackling J. Lewis as he is the first guy to hit him 7 yrds downfield. It is like a nightmare. Make it stop. Make it stop.

Simon would get here and promptly herniate a disc anyways!

Then he would retire like Gardener.