New Lions tight end Tony Scheffler, a Chelsea native and former Western Michigan standout, summed up his reaction to Monday's big trade to Detroit in one word. "Relief," he said, laughing, shortly after the fifth-year pro got the news he'd be playing for his hometown NFL team next season. The reaction from Ernie Sims, who was dealt from the Lions to Philadelphia as part of the three-way trade that brought Scheffler from Denver, was similar, even if the enthusiasm was tempered a bit in a conference call with Philadelphia reporters Monday. "I loved it in Detroit," said Sims, the ninth overall pick in the 2006 draft. "But it just didn't work out. That part of my career is over with. I'm ready for a new beginning." Sims, 25, was due to make $1.8 Million in the final year of his rookie contract and didn't figure into the Lions' long-term plans, though it's unclear who'll replace him as a starter, options on the current roster include Zack Follett, Landon Johnson and Jordon Dizon, but the team likely will look to the draft or free agency, with veterans Keith Bulluck, one of Jim Schwartz's former players, and Akin Ayodele, who visited the Lions last month, among those available. Source: Detroit News
