While I agree, I am missing your point. Whose Career? Sims? Hes still almost a "New" Players considering he changes defense almost every season. We have No idea how his "Real Career" will go once he is on a decent team with a stable defense that doesnt change yearly.

Otherwise, I still think that Quality Depth pushes "Weak" Starters to be better than they would be without the pressure. Change Career long bad habits... no. Make them try harder/work harder or at worst case, Replace them. with someone willing to play/work harder. Yes.

While I don't really want to get rid of Sims, I had a thought. With the trade deadline coming up, is there any team in need of a LB that we could trade Sims to for a corner?

I brought this up back on page 2, but the Lions can't trade Ernie Sims this year. They only have around $2M of cap space remaining and they would take a hit of exactly $3,162,353 if they were to trade him at the deadline.

That, and Sims hasn't exactly been stellar this season and I'm sure his trade value isn't at its all time high either.

Not hardly.

I'd trade Sims this off-season and start Levy in his place next season. Re-sign Foote and see if a re-structure can be figured out for Peterson, if not.. then find his replacement in the draft or FA.

But that's just me.

As has been mentioned before, I would have no problem with Levy replacing Sims in the starting line-up since he has clearly out-played him. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing Sims getting traded in the off-season for a 3rd or 4th round pick (if that is even possible).

Sims impresses with late barrage of tackles
BY NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

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The lasting image was the last one: linebacker Ernie Sims diving in vain as Rams running back Steven Jackson scored a 25-yard touchdown with 1:38 left Sunday, handing the Lions a 17-10 loss.




But Sims showed something to defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham earlier in the fourth quarter.
"Prior to the touchdown, there was a series of about five or six plays where I went, 'My God, he's finally come and figured it out,' " Cunningham said Wednesday. "And he knows it. I talked to him today. He felt really good about that."The Rams started a drive on their 22-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Sims made or shared the tackle on five of the first six plays -- including one that didn't count officially because of a penalty. Then quarterback Marc Bulger threw an incomplete pass on third down, and the Rams punted.
Sims, who declined to speak to reporters Wednesday, led the Lions in tackles for the first time this season, with seven.
"I said, 'Let's not look back anymore. You play like this the rest of the year,' " Cunningham said.
When the Lions drafted Sims ninth overall in 2006, former coach Rod Marinelli hoped Sims could fill the Derrick Brooks role in the Tampa Two defense. But after a promising start, Sims struggled with the rest of the team,especially last year.
When Jim Schwartz replaced Marinelli this year, Sims was supposed to improve because he could "play with his eyes" in the new system. In other words, he could be more instinctive and attack. But Sims' struggles have continued, partly because of a shoulder injury.
Cunningham said Sims hasn't been alone.
"This scheme thing is really baffling them all, including some of the coaches," Cunningham said. "And what people don't understand, when you're trying to build something like we are, there's a whole new philosophy in town, and there is for coaches who have never coached this thing. So it does take time. But day by day, I see it getting better, and today's practice was probably one of the better ones we've had mentally."
Sounds to me that Gunther was shocked that the light went on for ernie. I wish the rest of the defense would get it soon. Hopefully we can keep the same coach's here for awhile using the same schemes thats the only way to build. Stan kwan being the exception he needs to go

Those 4 coaches that have never coached this thing. Holdovers from Marinelli's staff?

If Fisher gets the axe in Tennessee, how many from that staff find their way to Detroit? And which would you choose The ST coach from the Titans or the Bills if each staff gets fired?

Billy, the article didn't say "four". It said "for". I have no idea how many of them have never coached this system before though. As for the current defensive coaches, all of them are new except for Don Clemons. That guy has been here forever and nobody really knows what he does.

As for Sims, it's about damn time that he woke up and figured out what he was supposed to be doing.

i agree that sims looked very good in the latter parts of that rams game - lets see if it was a fluke or not

As far as ST goes probably Bills. They seem to have a good unit the last couple years

I have no problem if they decide to stick with whomever is playing the best that day. Hell, they should probably do that with most positions.

Now that's what I want to hear! I am a BIG Levy fan, since he showed up in pre-season.. I really think this kid will be starting for us on a regular basis next season, if not before then. This competition between Sims & Levy is going to be fun to watch!

Who's our starting sam line backer when Peterson is playing DE??