A little over two weeks ago, the Eagles struck an unexpected trade with Seattle in which defensive ends and a Draft pick were swapped. However, another deal could soon becoming between Philadelphia and the Seahawks, except this time involving an offensive player. With the release of Shawn Andrews a little while ago and a remaining need for a bit more depth on the o-line, the Birds are looking into a potential acquisition that would bring veteran guard Rob Sims to the team. The 4-year blocker was recently mentioned as being on the trading block, and the Eagles and Lions are among a small group of clubs who have shown interest in him.

At 6-foot-3 and 312 pounds, he possesses quality size for an offensive lineman, and is one of the more agile players at his position. Selected in the 4th-round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Ohio State University, Sims started 14 games this past season after missing nearly all of the 2008 campaign because of a shoulder injury. Something that’s looked upon as a large positive note in his career is the fact that Sims played in a combined 30 games from 2006 to ‘07 and helped the Seahawks maintain an impressive rushing attack as well as solid pass protection. He had restricted free agent status in this year’s signing period, but agreed to the 1-year tender contract he was offered in hopes that a trade would form in the near future.

The previous removal of Shawn Andrews from the roster isn’t likely to be the only reason the Eagles are looking into Sims. Their starting center Jamaal Jackson is not expected to be ready to take the field until the preseason because of an ACL tear sustained late in ‘09, and there seems to be some reliability concerns at the right guard spot, which entertained a number of players last season because of the lack of production from Stacy Andrews and inconsistent performances by Max Jean-Gilles.

As for the Lions, Detroit is rumored to simply have interest in Sims because they’d like more solid pass blockers to protect young QB Matthew Stafford. Trading for a guy like Rob Sims would likely eliminate the need for the Lions to select a lineman very early in the draft.

NFL Network’s inside reporter Jason La Canfora reported in a recent online article that Sims “very likely will be dealt before this month’s draft” and that the teams interested in him–including the Eagles–are “strongly in the mix”. He cited league sources for part of the information, and is typically a reliable producer of reports and rumors of this magnitude. Whether the Eagles or Lions will actually display their wishes to obtain Rob Sims by trading for him is yet to be seen, as none of their front office members or staff members has commented on the situation.

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