The Eagles announced today that they have acquired starting weakside linebacker Ernie Sims from the Detroit Lions through a rare three-team deal that also included the Denver Broncos.

The Eagles sent a fifth-round draft pick in 2010 (137th overall) to the Broncos. The Broncos gave tight end Tony Scheffler and a seventh-round pick in 2010 (220th overall) to the Lions, who sent Sims to the Eagles.

In essence, it's a fifth-round pick for a proven starting linebacker.

"Ernie Sims is an impact player at the linebacker position," said head coach Andy Reid. "He brings a lot of energy to our already energized defense. We are looking forward to adding him to our team."

"We are excited to acquire Ernie Sims," said general manager Howie Roseman. "He plays fast, he's aggressive and his style is a great fit for our defensive scheme. He is a leader who was a team captain for the Lions and we are eager to see what he can do in our defense."

This marks the fifth trade of the 2010 off-season for the Eagles and the third for a veteran defensive player (defensive end Darryl Tapp, linebacker Alex Hall). The Eagles now own 10 picks in the upcoming draft - 1st round (24th overall), 2nd round (37, 55), 3rd round (70, 87), 4th round (105, 121), 6th round (200) and 7th round (243, 244).

Sims (6-0, 230) was originally a first-round choice (ninth overall) of the Lions in 2006 and has since played in 59 games (56 starts) for Detroit, totaling 505 tackles, 2.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and one interception. The 25-year-old linebacker played in 11 games (eight starts) in 2009, and compiled 49 tackles and one forced fumble.

Now in his fifth season out of Florida State, Sims was immediately plugged into the Lions starting lineup as a rookie and earned* Pro Football Weekly* all-rookie honors in 2006 after starting all 16 games and leading the team with 144 tackles. He was named the team's defensive captain for the 2007 and 2008 seasons, starting all 32 games and again pacing the team with 312 tackles during that span.

A native of Tallahassee, Fla., Sims' father, Ernie Jr., played running back at Florida State from 1977-81, and his mother, Alice Bennett, was an All-America sprinter on the Seminole track team from 1980-83.

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 11:36 a.m., April 19