ErnieSims.com
  
Ernie Sims is a junior who came out early for the 2006 NFL Draft that could have really improved his status by staying for his senior season. He is a well-built linebacker with good athletic ability, and when he plays aggressively and under control, he is consistently productive. Gets moving quickly at the snap, and when he reads the play correctly, he can accelerate quickly to the ball, close fast and make a lot of tackles chasing in pursuit. Has the natural strength to fill quickly and blow plays up in the hole. But if the blocker can get a hold of him first, Ernie Sims struggles to shed in time to make the play. Overall, Ernie Sims is going to be drafted high due to his excellent off-field workouts, but he is not the consistently productive player that is a high draft pick is considered to be. He will end up being a starting linebacker in the NFL who makes his share of plays each game, but will struggle to be the consistently productive linebacker he has the physical ability to be.
 
Ernie Sims is a good athlete with the quickness, acceletation and speed to make plays from sideline to sideline against the run and the pass. Has good instincts and has shown the ability to read and react quickly to the play when he stays focused. Has good natural strength and can stand up the lead blocker in the hole on the inside run. Drops off the ball into zone coverage very smoothly, reads the quarterback correctly, breaks and closes quickly. Can use his front arm to break up the pass well. Has shown the athleticism and speed to cover tight ends in tight man-to-man coverage -- can stay with them down the seam and out of their cuts.
 
Obviously, Ernie Sims is shorter than ideal and this allows blockers to engulf him if they can lock up. Cannot make plays on high passes in man-to-man coverage. The biggest thing that hinders his production is his tendency to play too aggressive and get out of control at times, because this leads Ernie Sims to jumping on fakes and missing too many tackles. Overall, his weaknesses are definitely correctable because he has the physical tools. Rarely do players become better tacklers once they get to the NFL.