Eagles withdraw tag on free agent Simon

The Philadelphia Eagles withdrew their franchise tag on former first-round draft pick Corey Simon on Sunday, making the defensive tackle an unrestricted free agent.

Simon was offered a one-year franchise tender worth about $5.13 million, but wanted a long-term contract, never signed the deal or reported to the minicamps or training camp. With the franchise tag, another team would have forfeited two first-round picks if they signed the former Pro Bowl lineman.

Simon, 6-foot-2, 293 pounds, was the Eagles’ first-round pick and the sixth overall selection in the 2000 draft. In five seasons with Philadelphia, Simon had 270 tackles and 32 sacks.

He set the Eagles’ rookie record for sacks with 9.5 in 2000 – including one of Dallas’ Troy Aikman on his first career play.

Simon was selected for the Pro Bowl after recording 64 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 2003.

Niners release 10 players

Andrew Williams, San Francisco’s third-round pick in 2003, was among 10 players released by the 49ers.

Williams, who played defensive end in his first two seasons in San Francisco, had difficulty becoming a linebacker in the 49ers’ new 3-4 defensive scheme.

The 49ers also waived cornerback Joselio Hanson, who started three games last season, defensive end Josh Cooper, receiver Javin Hunter, guard Paul Zukauskas, safety Arnold Parker, tight end Doug Zeigler, kicker Kirk Yliniemi and punter Cole Farden.

San Francisco reached an injury settlement with fullback Brian Johnson, who has an ankle injury. The 49ers still must make two more moves by Tuesday to reach league roster requirements.

Falcons rookie could miss season

Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker Jordan Beck will likely go on the injured reserve list this week with a foot injury, effectively ending his season.

Beck, a third-round draft pick from Cal Poly, tore a ligament at the base of his left toes as he returned an interception in the fourth quarter of Atlanta’s 23-7 victory at Jacksonville last Thursday.

Boyer released by Browns

Linebacker Brant Boyer, a 12-year veteran who missed last season because of a foot injury, was one of 13 players released by the Cleveland Browns.

The club also cut punter Derrick Frost.

The 34-year-old Boyer was one of four linebackers released along with Justin Kurpeikis, Sherrod Coates and undrafted rookie Kevin Harrison.

Other players released included offensive lineman Javiar Collins, quarterback Lang Campbell, defensive lineman Corey Jackson, safety James King, wide receiver Lance Moore, offensive lineman Clint Stickdorn, tight end Keith Willis and kicker Tyler Jones.

Saints head to California

The New Orleans Saints headed for northern California on Sunday, leaving several days early as Hurricane Katrina bore down on the city under a mandatory evacuation.

The team has a Thursday night preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, and will practice today through Wednesday at San Jose State. The Saints’ flight left Sunday afternoon around 3 p.m.

“We decided to leave as late as possible on Sunday to give everyone enough time to take care of their personal situations and to ensure that everyone’s family was out of harm’s way,” team spokesman Greg Bensel said in an e-mail to the Associated Press.

Team officials expect to decide after Thursday night’s game whether to return to New Orleans.

“Our plans for flying home will be determined once we see what kind of condition the city is in,” Bensel said. “We are all hoping for the best for the city and the people that remain.”

Katrina intensified into a Category 5 hurricane over the warm water of the Gulf of Mexico on a path to make landfall at sunrise today in the heart of New Orleans. That would make it the city’s first direct hit in 40 years and the most powerful storm ever to slam the city.

Jags release WR Edwards

Troy Edwards, a one-time first-round pick, was released by Jacksonville after he was unable to move ahead of rookie receivers Matt Jones and Chad Owens.

Edwards, the team’s second-leading receiver with 50 catches for 533 yards last year, was displeased with his reduced role this season. He voiced his angst after Thursday’s preseason game against Atlanta, saying, “you can see what’s going on. It’s obvious.”

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Edwards was the Jags’ No. 3 receiver the past two years, but he lost that spot to first-round pick Jones this season and even fell behind sixth-round selection Owens in the last two preseason games.

Edwards started 15 of 29 games with the Jaguars.

Rutherford, Stubblefield cut

Rod Rutherford, who was battling for Carolina’s third-string quarterback position, was one of 11 players released by the Panthers.

Also released was rookie wide receiver Taylor Stubblefield, who went undrafted despite ending his career at Purdue as the NCAA’s all-time leader in receptions.

The Panthers also released defensive tackle Omari Jordan, who played in five games last season for Carolina, tight end Chad Mustard, cornerback Dwight Anderson, running back Nick Maddox, wide receiver J.R. Tolver and linebacker Marcus Lawrence.

Offensive linemen Bill Ferrario, Chase Johnson and Michael Watson were also released.