Simmons to the North Please!
Who is going to be that “dog” for the Baltimore Ravens? Where is the OLB that will put fear into the hearts of opposing QBs the way that Terrell Suggs used to? Is there a guy on the roster that can bring the noise and put QBs on their backs and strike fear into the AFC North again? I don’t think so. Sure, Matthew Judon led the team in sacks on the season, but let’s face facts. When you have as many pressures as Don Martindale did this past season, somebody needs to get there more than 9.5 times individually. So off to the draft we go. I am dreaming, of course. I believe there is only one guy I want these Ravens to snag in the back of the first round. Isaiah Simmons is that “dog”.
Motor Motor Motor!
I looked at the film on this guy, and the first thing that pops off the screen for me is the relentless pursuit. Offensive players cringe when they see the intelligent angles in which he takes towards the ball-carrier. Not just the angles, but the speed in which he tracks the ball carriers down with is flat out scary. At 6’3, 230lbs with a 4.5 40-time, he’s bound to raise some eyebrows.
Straight gushing over here
My favorite thing about the former Clemson Tiger is his ability to stay disciplined and let the opponent make the first move before attacking. You could see him simply playing his coverage until the QB tries to roll out of the pocket on most plays. Shortly after, you would see Simmons tracking them down like a dog in heat. With 9-sacks in 2019, you would have to wonder what the potential is at the next level with Wink designing blitz packages around him?
The Ravens had a clear need in run-defense as King Derrick Henry rumbled on the squad for 195-yards in the Divisional Round. I’m not the only one high on him. According to walterfootball.com’s Charlie Campbell:
“Simmons totaled 89 tackles with six passes broken up, three forced fumbles and one interception in 2018. He is a tough run defender who flies around the field and is a physical tackler. Simmons has good instincts with a nose for the football.”
Apparently, Simmons is not exactly all Linebacker. He plays a hybrid mix between Safety and OLB and has a nose for the ball. He had three picks in the 2019 season. Imagine this monster standing beside or even in front of Earl Thomas, laying the smackdown on anyone daring to touch the pigskin. I don’t know about you right now, but I am full-on gushing. Eric DeCosta, if he slides to the Ravens at 28, PLEASE PLEASE, do the right thing and pull the trigger!