Serious question because I just don't know, he was touted as a freak coming out of college and alot of people in the media loved this kid, so is it VJ? Simmons? Both? i just can't tell
I don't know that it is that easy. Like most things, it starts with Keim.
Keim drafted a non-read-and-react LB to be a read-and-react LB. Keim drafted an unconventional defensive player for a DC who doesn't use unconventional players.
So, Keim drafted a player to be a different type of player than what got him drafted. Then Vance chooses to remain rigid in how he uses Simmons instead of tweaking his system to make it simpler for a raw, young player. instead of choosing to give him reps and weather the learning curve, Vance decides to bench Simmons. We see where this has gotten with his development.
Finally, Simmons has been unable to develop into a read-and-react LB despite multiple years of training to do so. Some of it has to be on him but it's like 10%.
This was destined to fail from the beginning because it continued the trend of drafting players and putting them in situations to fail vs succeed.
What I refuse to believe is that a competent DC couldn't find a way to utilize an athlete the caliber of Isaiah Simmons. Aside from everything, that is where I put it all on Vance. Even if it is a sub package, walk around LB who just blitzes.