PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Former Giant Simms Retires, Joins ESPN

Former New York Giant quarterback Phil Simms effectively announced his retirement Wednesday when ESPN said he had joined the cable network as a studio analyst.

The 38-year-old Simms, released by the Giants in June, will appear on ESPN’s “NFL Prime Monday” and also will play an undetermined role in the network’s Sunday studio coverage.

Simms said last week that once he made a decision on joining a network--he also interviewed with Fox--that would be it for his football career even if a team called with an offer for him to play. “We are very impressed with Phil’s ability to communicate,” ESPN executive editor John Walsh said. “ESPN is the network for the real NFL fans. Phil will fit right in.”

Simms spent 15 years with the Giants, leading the team to two Super Bowls. Last season, Simms went to his second Pro Bowl after completing a career-high 61.8% of his passes while leading New York to the conference semifinals.

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Veteran linebacker E.J. Junior, who sat out almost half of last season because of a knee injury, will not be invited to training camp by the Seattle Seahawks. “It’s just time to go in a different direction,” Coach Tom Flores said.

Junior, 34, a 13-year NFL veteran, is expected to retire.

The Seahawks also announced they have reached agreement with former Ram defensive tackle Mike Piel.

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Defensive tackle Bill Pickel, a former Raider, has agreed to contract terms with the New York Jets.