Arizona Cardinals Release ILB Ernie Sims

Nov 10, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem (17) carries up the field against Dallas Cowboys inside linebacker Ernie Sims (59) during the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

That didn’t last long.  The Arizona Cardinals released inside linebacker Ernie Sims on Thursday morning.  Sims, signed in June to fill the void left by the suspended Daryl Washington.  It was a signing that didn’t overwhelm many to start with.

In my roster profile of Sims the other day I mentioned how my biggest concern with him was his downward trend over the past several seasons.  Clearly, the trend continued.  Cards Head Coach Bruce Arians had to have some major reservations about Sims ability to contribute at all to release him even before the first preseason game.

His production over the last three seasons hasn’t come near his peak in 2010.  You have to wonder just how bad Sims looked in camp, which is just under two weeks old.  Sims was behind others on the roster though and seemingly didn’t outperform any of them since joining the Cards.  It was a quick two months for him.  His release now leaves two open roster spots with the retirement of tight end Jake Ballard on Wednesday.  No word on whether the Cards planned to fill them or not.