Ernie Sims

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Detroit Lions
currentnumber=50
currentpositionplain=Outside linebacker
birthdate=birth date and age|1984|12|23
birthplace=Tallahassee, Florida
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=225
debutyear=2006
debutteam=Detroit Lions
highlights=
* "ESPN" 1st team All-American (2004)
college=Florida State
draftyear=2006
draftround=1
draftpick=9
pastteams=
* Detroit Lions (2006-present)
nfl=SIM696501

Ernie Sims III (born December 23, 1984 in Tallahassee, Florida) is an American football player for the Detroit Lions, who played outside linebacker for the Florida State University Seminoles. He also attended North Florida Christian High School. His father Ernie Sims Jr., played football under head coach Bobby Bowden at Florida State in 1977, 1978, 1980 and 1981. His mother, Alice Sims, formerly Alice Bennett, was an All-American sprinter on the Florida State track and field team from 1980 through 1983. His younger brother, Marcus Sims, a highly regarded high school running back, announced in February of 2006 that he will also play his college football at Florida State.

Early years

Sims was an athletic standout at North Florida Christian High School, beginning his football career there by earning a varsity letter on the high school football team while only in the eighth grade, a feat not often heard of. He led his team to four state championships from 1998-2001. Coming out of North Florida Christian High School, in Tallahassee, Sims was considered by most college football publications to be one of the best high school football players, and the best linebacker, in the country. Rivals.com, a high school football recruiting service named Sims the number one overall high school football player in the country ahead of Reggie Bush. Sims chose to play for Florida State over Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, and Southern California.

College career

In 2003, as a true freshman at Florida State, Sims played in every single game. He finished ninth on the team in tackles and was one of the teams top special teams performers. In 2004, his sophomore year, Sims played in all 12 games, and started the final 11. For his exceptional play on the field in 2004, Sims was named to the second All-ACC team and ESPN named Sims to their first team All-American team. Expectations for his junior year were high, as The Sporting News and other publications named him to their pre-season All-American teams. Sims' had a productive, but not spectacular junior season, starting all 13 games, including the Orange Bowl.

At Florida State, Sims wore #34, a number that was retired in honor of former Seminole football player, Ron Sellers. Sellers gave Sims and the university permission for Sims to wear the jersey number.

In January 2006, Sims announced that he would forgo his senior season in lieu of entering the draft.

NFL career

2006 NFL Draft

Sims was selected as ninth overall in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. Sims was targeted by Lions general manager Matt Millen to bolster the Lions' defense at weakside linebacker.

:("* represents NFL Combine")

Detroit Lions

As of July 30th, 2006, he signed a 5-year, $15.735 million contract with $12.1 million guaranteed. [cite web|url=http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_contract.aspx?sport=NFL&id=3667|title=Ernie Sims; Contract Information for Ernie Sims|date=2008-8-14|work=2008-8-14|publisher=Allstar Stats, Inc.|accessdate=2008-08-14] Sims started all 16 games his rookie season at outside linebacker, collecting 124 tackles (81 solo tackles) and was credited with a half sack and 1 pass deflection. On December 3rd, against the New England Patriots, Sims had a career high 13 total tackles. On December 31st, Sims made a key tackle on 4th down to give the Lions a big win against the Dallas Cowboys. On September 3, 2007, Sims was named 1 of 5 captains for the 2007 Detroit Lions. His play is said to resemble that of Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Derrick Brooks, who was coached under Lions head coach Rod Marinelli.

References

External links

Official website : http://www.erniesims50.com/