Satisfied Simon becomes a Colt

By Bob Brookover INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: September 02, 2005

Corey Simon got the two things he wanted: financial security and an outstanding opportunity to return to the Super Bowl.

The former Eagles defensive tackle received them yesterday when he agreed to a five-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts. The deal came four days after the Eagles had removed the franchise tag from him, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.

Financial details of the agreement were not immediately available, but Simon was more than satisfied.

"It's a good fit for me," he said from his home in Tallahassee, Fla. "The defense they are playing allows me to do some things that I really hadn't done since college. I'll be able to get loose and rush the passer."

The Colts, with Peyton Manning at quarterback, are a Super Bowl contender. They have been to the postseason five of the last six seasons and played in the AFC championship game two years ago against New England.

"It was important to me to go to a winner," Simon said. "It's an opportunity to win a championship. It's very possible.

"They also gave my family financial security. Not that I ever worried about injuries, but I do have a little bit of job security."

If there's one thing that has kept the Colts from reaching the Super Bowl, it is their defense. They have ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in points allowed for eight of the last nine years. They were 19th last season.

Simon will probably play left tackle, alongside left end Raheem Brock, who is a former Eagles draft pick and a Temple product. Larry Triplett, who has just one sack in three seasons, had been listed as the starter at left tackle.

The Colts are not on the Eagles' schedule, but Simon said he wouldn't mind a reunion with his old teammates in Detroit, site of Super Bowl XL.

"That would be nice," he said. "I definitely plan on playing in the Super Bowl. If the Eagles are there - great. They have the ability to go back."

Contact staff writer Bob Brookover at 215-854-2577 or bbrookover@phillynews.com.