First and foremost, I'd like to thank Ernie for his service to Detroit.  It sucks he never panned out, but it's also important to note that Sims has been a huge liability every year he's been in Detroit - you don't grade out as a horrible linebacker on profootballfocus on accident every single year.  Perhaps he'll turn it up in Philly, and I hope he does.  And I hope we do better without him as well

Trading Ernie, however, gives us more than just a great receiving TE.  It gives us an enormous amount of flexibility in round 2 or 3.  4-3 OLBs are at a premium in this draft, and guys like Darryl Washington stand out as hot commodities in round 2.  With Ernie gone, teams can no longer feel safe that he may fall to them.  This opens the door to them possibly getting Mayhewed.  Maybe the Lions themselves wants a guy like Washington, but I think it's more likely he'll be used as bait to acquire extra picks.  The holes on this team are gaping, and we need to fill them up with as many good players as possible.  I love the trade just from the Scheffler for Sims perspective - but this might net us even more rewards on Day 2 of the NFL draft.  Stay tuned.