Arizona Cardinals sign linebacker Ernie Sims
Jun 3, 2014, 5:49 PM | Updated: 9:47 pm
The Arizona Cardinals have signed veteran linebacker Ernie Sims to a one-year deal. It is expected Sims will help replace Pro Bowl linebacker Daryl Washington, who was suspended for the 2014 season on May 29th after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Last season in Dallas, Sims played in 12 games — with six starts — collecting 42 tackles (31 solo) and one forced fumble.
When asked Monday, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said the team would like to add more depth at the middle linebacker position, but they weren’t necessarily bringing anyone in with the intent for them to start.
“He’d have to earn it,” the coach said. “If there’s one available that can do that I’d like to have him.”
Sims entered the NFL with the Detroit Lions, who took him the ninth overall in the 2006 NFL Draft out of Florida State. The 29-year-old had his best seasons with the Lions from 2006-09, where he started 56 of 59 games and recorded 282 total tackles.
The Tallahassee, Florida native also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010 and Indianapolis Colts in 2011 before moving on to Dallas.
In his career, Sims has tallied 718 total tackles (454 solo) along with 5.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 14 passes defensed and one interception.
