I realize this is truly out of order or at least not the day for such things, but with the acquisition of Isaiah Simmons, I am absolutely giddy here about the options on defense for the team I love. There is an article about the trade on ESPN which, if I’m being real, is overwritten. First off they start by calling the trade a ‘risk’. What risk is involved in trading a 7th round pick for a number 8 overall pick who is only owed 1 million. Frankly, that is likely less than the vet being cut to make room for the guy–whomever that may be. Simmons is a ‘tweener’. He isn’t a guy who is going to take on Linebackers as a MLB or even OLB. He’s also not good enough to be a safety. He lacks the pure coverage skills. However, between those two roles is the Money back. That is a hybrid position that doesn’t take on the big boys but thrives in covering TEs in space and blitzing the QB. Last season the Giants used Tony Jefferson, Jason Pinnock, and Landon Collins in that role. Simmons is a physical upgrade from all three… combined. In addition to that he is in a contract year and extremely hungry to prove himself.
That isn’t even the best part.
Simmons thrived in the Clemson D in college, thanks largely to sexy Dexy, Dexter Lawrence II. Yeah, they putting the crew back together. Now the argument is that Simmons doesn’t want it. He won’t play LB, and really prefers to be a safety lurking and blitzing and hitting fools. Well, he got his wish in all but position name. Simmons is in the best possible position as a positionless player in Wink’s D. I’m entirely stoked to see him excel and earn his next contract.