http://blog.mlive.com/ottoman-empir...by_trading_ernie_sims_for_tony_scheffler.html I do not like the reported trade the Lions made today. They will get tight end Tony Scheffler and a 7th round pick for Ernie Sims in a three-team deal with Denver and Philadelphia. I always thought Sims was a decent player -- not great but not bad -- but at least he was an NFL-caliber starting outside linebacker. Maybe the reason to trade him away was a health thing, with Sims only able to play in nine games last season. He was still productive in that time, though, garnering 49 total tackles. Looking at Detroit's roster now, the only players who they have who could fight for the starting job are Landon Johnson, Zack Follett and Jordon Dizon. Johnson started three games over the last two years for Carolina, and had a total of 36 tackles in that time. He is far removed from his triple-digit tackle days in Cincinnati earlier in his career. Follett is a former 7th round draft pick who has appeared in 10 games as a special teamer. Dizon may be the best option, but even with Sims getting knocked out by injury last season, the coaching staff did not give him a single start. Not exactly a lot of confidence there. Before this trade, outside linebacker was one of the few spots on Detroit's defense that did not need to be addressed this off-season. Now the exact opposite is true. The Lions are going to need to find someone who is ready to start at OLB on day one. Unless the team is working on a trade, or ready to take a chance on a free agent like Keith Bullock who is coming off an injury, that means Detroit's early second round pick will now have to be a linebacker instead of the best available running back, cornerback or safety. This also means that even more pressure will be placed on the shoulders of second-year player DeAndre Levy. He takes over the starting job at middle linebacker without being surrounded by veterans. Sims and Julian Peterson, the other outside linebacker, could have helped Levy ease into his new leadership role on the defense. Instead, Levy will have to help a rookie on his side adjust to his first year as a professional. The acquisition of Scheffler makes some sense with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan's propensity to using the two tight end set. Last year's first round pick Brandon Pettigrew is rehabilitating from a knee injury he suffered last Thanksgiving, and this trade may indicate that he is not coming along as rapidly as the team would hope. Even if Pettigrew is healthy, Scheffler is a better option as a pass-catcher than current backup Will Heller. However, that's not enough of a plus to erase the huge hole that has been created with the departure of Ernie Sims. This is the first time this off-season that I have disagreed with a move that general manager Martin Mayhew has made, but this is a big one. He made a mistake by giving up a starting defensive player to get a part-time offensive player.
I don't understand the trade either. Pettigrew is the future of the Lions TEs. Why bring in another...
How many TE's does a team need? Ernie Sims was decent, not great but he could play. and now we need a LB that can play. for a TE? Our Red Zone Offense is going to be scary good this year, watch out.
