Simmons is a safety, not a linebacker

[WindCardinal]

Can someone please change the title to “he’s a linebacker not a safety”

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

And that's fine.

Because he can be a Woodson or Polamalu level strong safety. The trend in the modern game is to move guys around more like we did with Badger (as have the Chiefs) , and we will do the same with Simmons. But his base position will be SS.

Playing 120 snaps at Linebacker in college in no way qualifies you to play that position in the NFL. When he played LB in college he wasn't being asked to diagnose the play and come downhill and fill gaps and when he did he wasn't great at it.

As we learned with Reddick it's very difficult to learn the mental side. It takes 1000s of snaps.

Also you want your MLB to be a stalwart of the defense. You don't want to be moving them around and subbing in other linebackers.

Much easier to move him around from SS.

SS in base. Slot in Nickel. And he'll be great at it.

You are completely underselling this young man. Do you know how smart he has to be to effective at all of those positions? As a LB he'll know where every palyer is supposed to be. You don't move him around simply becusue he has freakish athleticism, you move him around because he can understand and execute at almost all levels of the defense and read offenses.

 

[Proximo]

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Uh

This is not really what he said at all. Listen to the press conference if you don't believe me. He said he would primarily be a linebacker, but he would be used in many of the same ways he was at clemson, including rushing from the edge, in the slot, and at strong safety.

Weinfuss is a dufuss in my opinion.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

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[Brak]

I think they should play him all over the place and create headaches for offenses trying to avoid him. QB spy against someone like Seattle. SSLB where the opponent has a strong TE. Etc. But that creates another dilemma - they need a super-sharp D-coordinator to make that work, and sadly, there's not a lot of reason to think that VJ can be that guy. I hope he proves me (and all his other detractors, which is about 99% of the population) wrong.

 

[Redsz]

I think he is a lb that you can play like a safety. He will see more snaps at lb than he will at safety.

 

[GuernseyCard]

Who's ever been successful in the NFL without a set position where they play the majority of snaps?

The NFL isn't college. There are much larger, more complicated playbooks and no player can remember several full positions.

He will play 90% of snaps at one position and have a set of subpackages where he moves around.

I'm sure you've mastered checkers; occupy three corners and you win.

That playbook is about chess, clearly a mystery to a "place for everything, everything in its place" kind of thinker.

You'd make a fine accountant.

 

[TheCardFan]

He will see more snaps at lb than he will at safety.

Just like he did in college.

 

[Krangodnzr]

This is the DJ Humphries argument all over again

PFF blah blah blah.

Well @BritCard PFF credits Humphries with only 2 sacks on the year.

LOL

Who gives a...and I'll quote Jake Plummer... a rat's ass where he plays?

 

[Stout]

Brian Urlacher anyone?

 

[WildBB]

VJ - He'll be mainly used at LB.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...e-defensive-versatility-rookie-isaiah-simmons

 

[JeffGollin]

I think they should play him all over the place and create headaches for offenses trying to avoid him. QB spy against someone like Seattle. SSLB where the opponent has a strong TE. Etc. But that creates another dilemma - they need a super-sharp D-coordinator to make that work, and sadly, there's not a lot of reason to think that VJ can be that guy. I hope he proves me (and all his other detractors, which is about 99% of the population) wrong.

I agree.

Doesn't mean the Cards shouldn't spread false info. I just feel the Cards will see what he can do all over the field and let that dictate how they'll use him as he gains more experience.

Modern defenses have all 11 players spotted all over the field like checkers on a checkerboard, and that's how we'll use him (despite the rhetoric).

 

[cardncubfan]

He even said his most comfortable position is ILB. They will move him around by down, distance, & opponent.

 

[cardsfanmd]

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116 snaps at OLB and 299 at ILB.

And won the Butkus award for best linebacker in the country.

Dude just stop

Yet thr OP thinks he is ready to play SS where he logged only 100 snaps...

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I think they should play him all over the place and create headaches for offenses trying to avoid him. QB spy against someone like Seattle. SSLB where the opponent has a strong TE. Etc. But that creates another dilemma - they need a super-sharp D-coordinator to make that work, and sadly, there's not a lot of reason to think that VJ can be that guy. I hope he proves me (and all his other detractors, which is about 99% of the population) wrong.

Is Wade Phillips still available for Defensive consultant?

He would know how to use him and could mentor VJ.

 

[CardNots]

Brian Urlacher anyone?

he’ll fill out another ten pounds and by year two he will make Brian proud.

I didn’t ever consider my having to peer into his future but this kid’s star shines brightly.

 

[slanidrac16]

Now pitching , Bugs Bunny, catching, Bugs Bunny. At first base, Bugs Bunny..... some of you will get this.

 

[blindseyed]

Vance just said he'll be used as a LB , so thread is pointless now

 

[az jam]

I respect everyone's opinion and I know that BritCard is a good Cards fan and has his own opinion where he feels Simmons should play. DC Coach VJ has come out and said he will be a linebacker in his scheme. They will try to use him similar to how Clemson used him. What I am hearing from the AZ sports media is they feel it's important to start him at a specific position and go from there. Looks like the is the plan. i'm just glad we got him.

 

[AZ Native]

He will be a hell of a LB. (With the ability to move around where needed). Priceless.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I think they should play him all over the place and create headaches for offenses trying to avoid him. QB spy against someone like Seattle. SSLB where the opponent has a strong TE. Etc. But that creates another dilemma - they need a super-sharp D-coordinator to make that work, and sadly, there's not a lot of reason to think that VJ can be that guy. I hope he proves me (and all his other detractors, which is about 99% of the population) wrong.

Mark my words, he will be a Goff killer for a QB who cannot think for himself... and the one on one with the brilliance which is Russell Wilson and the Hawks will be epic, the NFC West rocks

 

[Russ Smith]

What position did Urlacher play in college. Thomas Davis?

 

[WisconsinCard]

Now pitching , Bugs Bunny, catching, Bugs Bunny. At first base, Bugs Bunny..... some of you will get this.

You forgot now batting...buggs bunny...

 

[SoCal Cardfan]

I don't care where they line him up, They can put him at NT for all I care, The kid can ball from anywhere on the field.

Smart, Athletic..... with instincts that are unreal!

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

You forgot now batting...buggs bunny...

1,2,3 strikes you’re out... 1,2,3 strikes you’re out...1,2,3 strikes you’re out.

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