Simon says?

Head coach Brad Childress shot down rumors that the Vikings are interested in signing free agent Corey Simon, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

The former Pro Bowl pick sat out the entire 2006 season for an undisclosed reason. He was placed on the non-football illness/injury list, and the Colts cut him earlier this month after he didn't pass his physical. Minnesota defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was familiar with Simon from his time coaching in both Indianapolis and Philadelphia.

"He's a good player and a guy who I'm sure still has some football left in him," Frazier said. "I am not certain where he is injury-wise, based on what happened a year ago, but I am sure he has some football left."

The Vikings signed Fred Evans to backup Pat Williams. His legal troubles are cleared up, so there's no need to bring in Simon.

Cowboys news..

Tight end Anthony Fasano said he expects to practice today, but coach Wade Phillips wasn't sure. He needed to speak with the trainers for more information. Fasano tweaked a shoulder injury in the second quarter and didn't return

Fasano remains the backup to starter Jason Witten, and there's no reason for fantasy owners to expect much out of Anthony this year.

Also Greg Ellis Cowboys linebacker has been ruled out of the final two preseason games, and he remains out of practice due to bursitis in his left heel. Ellis, who was coming off of left Achilles surgery, practiced on the first day of camp but left quickly due to his injury. He could still play in the season opener. "Guys that work like Greg, I think can certainly do it," head coach Wade Phillips tells the Dallas Morning News.

He's lost much of his value in IDP fantasy leagues, and rookie Anthony Spencer is seeing action in his stead.

Eagles release Trotter

The Eagles released linebacker Jeremiah Trotter on Tuesday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

“Jeremiah is one of my favorite guys,” Reid said in a statement. “There’s no question that this is the toughest part of this job. He and I met about this last night, and it was very emotional for the both of us. Jeremiah and I have been together for many years, and he’s played a vital role in helping this team win a lot of football games. He developed himself into a Pro Bowl middle linebacker through a lot of hard work and desire. In my mind, he will always be a Philadelphia Eagle, and I’m sure he feels the same way. I wish he and his family nothing but the best in the future.”

Trotter, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who was in his second stint with the Eagles, spent the off season losing weight to alleviate pain in his knees. He looked good in training camp, and was slotted as a starter with Takeo Spikes and Chris Gocong beside him. Omar Gaither, who was No. 2 on the depth chart behind Trotter, presumably will moved into a starting spot.

In 88 regular-season starts for the Eagles, Trotter totaled 940 tackles (10.7 per game). He was a vocal leader of the defense, an immensely popular player inside and outside the locker room and a successful businessman off the field.

Trotter was on the downside of his career due to bad knees, but we figured the club would keep him around as at least a part-time starter. Alas, the middle linebacker job now belongs to Omar Gaither, who should appear on IDP cheatsheets.

Willis had won a starting job

The 49ers have promoted rookie Patrick Willis to a starting middle linebacker spot and Brandon Moore has been moved to a backup role, according to the Oakland Tribune. Derek Smith will be the team's other inside linebacker in their 3-4 base defense.

Willis greeted the news with one word: "Wow."

"It's not about calling home to tell your dad or your friends that you're starting. It's bigger than that," Willis said. "At any moment you can be back where you started or even below. So, you've got to seize the opportunity and go hard. I'm staying positive. I'm staying humble. I'm staying hungry."

The promotion of Willis, 22, comes three weeks before the 49ers' Sept. 10 opener against Arizona. It was part of a shuffle that knocked Brandon Moore out of the starting lineup and moved Derek Smith and Jeff Ulbrich to different positions.

Coach Mike Nolan said he pulled the trigger on the changes because Willis' play in practice and in the team's first two exhibitions demanded it.

"The rookie thus far has shown that he's worthy of making this change," Nolan said. "Brandon is still a big part of the things we do, and that won't change. But we felt this is a decision we want to make now to build continuity on the defensive side of the ball."

Even though some believed Mike Nolan would take it slow with the rookie, this move was inevitable because Willis was as good a defensive prospect as there was in this year's draft. He has the skills to become an immediate factor in IDP leagues.