Two OTs? Who is hurt?
Bears seventh-round 2020 draft pick Lachavious Simmons, an offensive lineman from Tennessee State, recently chatted with ChicagoBears.com about his background, how he's staying in shape during the COVID-19 pandemic and more. Here are five things you should know about the 6-5, 315-pounder:
(1) Simmons was the only player from a historically black college and university (HBCU) selected in this year's NFL Draft.
"I take a lot of pride in that because I'm glad I can continue the tradition of HBCU players getting drafted," Simmons said. "It's an honor to be the only player this year. But there's so much talent at HBCUs. There were plenty of other guys who deserved to be drafted."
This year marked the first time since 2012 that only one HBCU player was drafted. Three were chosen in 2018 and four were picked last year.
Restrictions resulting from the coronavirus certainly didn't help. Due to COVID-19, a Combine for HBCU players scheduled for late March in Miami was canceled. In addition, prospects were prohibited from visiting NFL facilities and scouts were not permitted to meet with players at their colleges.
Simmons feels that he'll be representing all HBCU players, saying: "I don't mind having that target on my back representing all of the HBCU players. I take pride in it and I'm going to make them proud."
(2) Simmons is also proud to be a native of Selma, Ala., a historic city that was instrumental in the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
On March 7, 1965, about 600 civil rights marchers left Selma heading east toward Montgomery, the state capital. After they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were attacked by sheriff's deputies and state troopers—a day that subsequently became known as "Bloody Sunday."
Two weeks later, Martin Luther King Jr. led a march over the bridge to Montgomery. Along the 50-mile trek, the group grew from 3,200 to 25,000. The marches helped generate public support for the civil rights movement, leading to the U.S. Congress passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
"I take great pride in being from Selma," Simmons said. "I love my city. Every year we have the Jubilee festival to remember those who marched across the bridge and I always attend the event. There's a great pride in being from here."
(3) Simmons is motivated by the memory of his first cousin, Roderick Ellis, who passed away on May 15, 2002 at the age of 12.
"He had an asthma attack and he lost too much oxygen to his brain," Simmons said. "It still drives me today because I know he didn't get to enjoy his full life. He had so much potential and I just want to do it for him."
Simmons and Ellis were inseparable as kids.
"We used to always hang out together," Simmons said. "If I wasn't at his house, he was at my house. We were real tight."
(4) While participating in the Bears' offseason program, Simmons has been shuttling between Selma and his family's farm about 15 miles away in Orrville, Ala.
"When we have all of our virtual meetings, I'll be in Selma because there's a better [internet] connection up there, and then I go down to the farm and I work out down there," he said.
"I have a rack, so I can do the basic bench, squat, incline and stuff like that. After I finish that, my dad got me a tractor tire. I flip the tractor tire down and back in a little pit, and then I drag the tire, Man, that's a workout."
(5) Simmons was nicknamed "Pig" as a kid by his grandmother because of the way he'd devour some of her special dishes.
"She used to always cook collard greens and cornbread and stuff like that and I used to just pig out on it," Simmons said. "That's how I got the nickname 'Pig,' and it just stuck."
Myself, for sure. I haven't watched closely enough to see how many inside pass rushes he's given up, but that IOL has given up a lot. We'll see on Hernandez. He's not the weakest link on this line ATM for sure.I remember people saying Hernandez was a terrible signing
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Impressed you how? What big plays has he made? I'm not being snarky, just trying to remember his impact on the games thus far.Zach Allen has impressed me through 2 games
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Pittsburgh tried to make him a bell cow back and it failed. Too many injuries. Even with the timeshare last season he still got nicked up. If the Cardinals keep trying to run him 20 times a game he will miss time.I really wish we would start Williams, or even Benjamin, and bring Conner off the bench like last year. I just don't think Conner is a bell cow type back. I think he's at his best when he gets maybe 8 - 10 touches a game.
Last year he would come in the game to spell Chase and would be all super charged and nasty. A battering ram fighting like a demon for every inch. I don't think he can sustain that as a starter. Just my opinion though.
The guy has 27 touches (rushing attempts and targets) over two games.Pittsburgh tried to make him a bell cow back and it failed. Too many injuries. Even with the timeshare last season he still got nicked up. If the Cardinals keep trying to run him 20 times a game he will miss time.
From what I saw they dominated Atlanta then took their foot off the gas. Blocked punt and fumbles.Rams barely beat a very bad Falcons team in Sofi. Rams -4 is about what you would expect. I'll put money on Cards +4
I think Hamilton has to miss the first 4 weeks minimum bc they put him on IR.We need to stop sucking at home.
On the plus side I reckon we have everyone back next week. Mullen, Hamilton and Rondale.
I think the Falcons are showing to be pretty competitive. They are nearly 2-0.Rams barely beat a very bad Falcons team in Sofi. Rams -4 is about what you would expect. I'll put money on Cards +4
Isn’t he in the non-football injury list not IR? And I’m not sure there’s a difference?I think Hamilton has to miss the first 4 weeks minimum bc they put him on IR.
It probably didn't hurt that Humphries used to go against Chandler every day. Glad CJ was containedxc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
Total ownage.xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
Isn’t he in the non-football injury list not IR? And I’m not sure there’s a difference?
Hamilton will miss at least the first four games of the season for the Cardinals before he's eligible to return.
Jones hardly looked like a challenge for Humphries. It appears like Jones is done, finished, a shell of what he used to be.Total ownage.
Jones pretty much always feasted on below average tackles. Good tackles often owned Jones. Look at his stats against Andrew Whitworth... Whitworth not only didn't give up sacks, he also owned him in the run game.Jones hardly looked like a challenge for Humphries. It appears like Jones is done, finished, a shell of what he used to be.
Jones hardly looked like a challenge for Humphries. It appears like Jones is done, finished, a shell of what he used to be.
They even get less support than the Angels.Why Your Team Sucks 2022: Los Angeles Rams | Defector
This Rams' Super Bowl victory is an omen, not a triumph. It represents the NFL’s successful transition from America’s favorite sport to America’s favorite background noise.defector.com
Anyone living in the greater Los Angeles area can attest to how little enthusiasm there is for the Rams here. It's like they are a minor league baseball team or something, and I don't think I'm exaggerating.
If you’re talking about me I was laughing at a list containing a long snapper, a backup QB and journeymen as evidence of his free agency prowess. And I’d do so again for any list with a long snapper and backup QB. Why didn’t you list the punter and kicker?I said this.
And this.
I also said Kiem has made some HR signing.
That poster said Kiem hadn't had any good signing and thought all 6 I mention were poop.
Jones pretty much always feasted on below average tackles. Good tackles often owned Jones. Look at his stats against Andrew Whitworth... Whitworth not only didn't give up sacks, he also owned him in the run game.
That doesn't mean I feel the Cardinals did enough to address edge in the offseason, but Jones definitely wasn't the answer.