Former North Carolina all-America linebacker Brian Simmons was released last week by the New Orleans Saints a year after signing a three-year contract with the team. Simmons became expendable after the Saints traded for linebacker Jonathan Vilma of the New York Jets. A native of New Bern, N.C., Simmons posted 27 tackles and one sack last season. The 10-year veteran played his first nine seasons in Cincinnati. (Tar Heel Blue)