Brian Simmons (1 Viewer)

[cpstorm]

When Odell Thurman comes back from suspension, what do you guys see happening with Simmons? He has been a monster, and the Cincy LB corps is decimated right now.

 

[pretender]

When Odell Thurman comes back from suspension, what do you guys see happening with Simmons? He has been a monster, and the Cincy LB corps is decimated right now.

I would like to see Thurman start but he will be rusty and depending how he practices and how made Marv is with him - he may see the bench for the rest of the season. I doubt it as I think Cincy needs him. My opinion is that Thurman will start maybe not the first game after the bye but probably the second (I think week 7 ) and Simmons will move back to the WLB.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I think pretender is on point here.

Geoff Hobson of bengals.com answered an e-mail last night that addressed this. He's of the mind that Thurman may have to sit when he comes off suspension because Simmons and Johnson have been playing too well to take off the field. He's probably going to be right as Thurman hasn't been able to practice with the team and he'll probably be rotated in for awhile. But Thurman, rookie blemishes and all, was the most sudden linebacker the Bengals had last season. He brings a different presence and attitude to the unit. Simmons has his share of blown assignments and missed tackles; he's not a stud MLB. Landon Johnson is a different story. Hurts to say it as a Bengal fan and longtime Simmons guy, but that dude needs to be on the field at all times, undersized or not.

The linebacking unit is actually pretty deep. Rashad Jeanty is going to be a better run defender than Pollack. The Bengals lose something in pass rush, but in reality, Pollack hasn't been around enough to miss anyway. With Landon Johnson and Caleb Miller filling in, and Ahmad Brooks in a pinch, this team is still league average or better at LB top to bottom.

 

[Chaos Commish]

I think pretender is on point here.

There is some intrigue here, right? Your Simmons Johnson comment is the most interesting to me. You see the need to keep Johnson on the field. I wonder if it goes that way, or split duty... I have a feeling Simmons is going to join a bunch of my other draft picks and lose value very soon. It's nice to say sell him high, but it's not something easily pulled off.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I think pretender is on point here.

There is some intrigue here, right? Your Simmons Johnson comment is the most interesting to me. You see the need to keep Johnson on the field. I wonder if it goes that way, or split duty... I have a feeling Simmons is going to join a bunch of my other draft picks and lose value very soon. It's nice to say sell him high, but it's not something easily pulled off.

Short term, I think there's a rotation until Thurman is ready. When he is, it'll be Simmons and Thurman. The Bengals have rotated Caleb Miller in for a series or two each game for Simmons already, so you may see Johnson (and maybe Brooks) do the same when things settle out. But I think it's Jeanty/Thurman/Simmons for the vast majority of the snaps.I don't know what's going to happen here long term. If the deal signed by Willie Anderson is any indication, the Bengals are looking to keep established leaders around and Simmons is one of those. It's hard to see the Bengals releasing him or sitting him with two years left on his contract. I'm just not sure where he fits into the coming 3-4 defense. He's really not an outside backer and I still think Brooks talent is wasted a bit as a 3-4 OLB, unless he truly can become proficient in pass rush. Johnson, well as a Bengal fan I'd love to see him here long term. His contract is up at year's end though and I think a lot of teams might see him as a starter in this league. It'll be interesting to see how the Bengals tender him this offseason if they don't make room (priority is still probably elsewhere).I've got Simmons as awesome depth in one league right now. I haven't looked to move him for the same reasons as you. If Thurman doesn't come back immediately, I think that may be the best sell high point.

 

[cpstorm]

so the best case scenario would be a move to WLB and worst case is a PT player?

 

[Jestefarean]

Any chance with Pollack down they move Simmons to SLB and put Odell back in the middle? (leaving Landon on WLB)

 

[Jene Bramel]

Any chance with Pollack down they move Simmons to SLB and put Odell back in the middle? (leaving Landon on WLB)

I wouldn't say it's impossible if Rashad Jeanty plays poorly over the next couple games or gets injured. But if not I think Simmons goes back to the weak side. Simmons probably could survive on the strong side, but that's not really his best spot. It may be more likely that Brooks plays on the strong side should Jeanty break down.

 

[Jestefarean]

Makes sense. I do know I read a lot of things about how they like Landon a lot this offseason. Perhaps we are seeing Simmons last year as a starter with Landon playing well on the weak side.

 

[littletank]

Simmons slides back over. I personally think Simmons is way too small for Mike. He is being pushed all over the place by Pitt. He constantly puts himself out of position.

 

[Young 8]

another great game by Landon Johnson

they are crazy if they will put him back to the bench

 

[Jestefarean]

Well, now that Odell likely isn't coming back I wonder if they leave things as they are....