Florida native is homing in

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Corey Simon has been returning home to North Florida this time of year ever since joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2000. This time, though, the defensive tackle does not have as much time to spend at the Corey Simon Success Center for youngsters in Tallahassee, or to play golf with Bobby Bowden, his coach at Florida State.

Instead, Simon is dealing with requests for Super Bowl tickets and preparing with his teammates to take on the Patriots.

"The state of Florida is so big, it doesn't even feel like being home," Simon said yesterday. "I live two hours from here. The state is just so big. I'll tell you, the ticket situation is a little difficult.

"It's like I said in training camp: Super Bowl or bust. The way we played this season, we wanted to take every play as our last. It wasn't about showing up here, it was about getting to the Super Bowl and winning it. Now, we have to take the next step."

Simon, who organized a Bible study group with some teammates in 2000 that has blossomed into the Morning Star Church of Greater Philadelphia, is the current version of the Eagles' minister of defense, a role popularized by the late Reggie White in the 1980s and '90s.

Simon has been a major part of the Eagles' resurgence. The team has a 7-4 playoff record since 2000, success that even the ordained minister, White, never achieved with the Eagles, who won one playoff game during his tenure (1985-92).

Simon, after getting 5 1/2 sacks this season, is in the all-time top 10 on the Eagles with 32. White is the leader with 124. In 2003, Simon became the third tackle, and the first since Rhett Hall in 1997, to lead the Eagles in sacks with 7 1/2. Jevon Kearse led the team with 7 1/2 this season, an indication of the team's effectiveness in rushing from the outside, and reserve Sam Rayburn was second with 6, evidence of increased depth. "We have a lot of new guys," Simon said. "We got to know the system better, to know each other better, and progressed as the season progressed. We got better as a unit. And we have two units which could possibly start for other teams.

"I think the coaching staff has done a tremendous job of putting guys together that can work well together. We are able to learn each other's tendencies and go out there and play together. We've stayed fresh all year due to our depth, as well."

But the Eagles expect the Patriots to provide a tough test.

"The thing about the offensive line is, you talk all you want about what Tom Brady has done, he's done a tremendous job, Corey Dillon has done a tremendous job," Simon said. "But without this offensive line, none of this would be possible. They've done a great job. They've stayed pretty healthy this season. That's the secret. When your offensive line can stay pretty healthy, you're going to have a successful year.

"First and foremost, we're going to have to put some pressure up front and go out and play well against the run, well against the pass. We've got to play our defense and do what we do.

"Just like we didn't change what we do against Michael Vick [in a 27-10 win over Atlanta in the NFC Championship game], we're not going to change what we do against New England. We're the same team, the same defense, and we're going to go out there and play the same way we always play."

By next year, though, Simon could be with a new team. Asked about his pending free agency, Simon replied, "This is a special moment in my career. It doesn't come by every day for players. My focus all week, all month, and all season hasn't been on those questions.

"I'm not going to start now. We're at a point in the season where everybody is on board, we're taking care of business, and I'm still a Philadelphia Eagle. I'm not worried about all that other stuff -- it will take care of itself after the end of the season."