The Cardinals used their first-round pick on Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons, widely regarded as one of the more versatile draft prospects in recent memory. Arizona defensive coordinator Vance Joseph told the media Tuesday that Simmons would primarily be a linebacker in the NFL, but that overall he’d be a “problem-solver” for the defense, via Darren Urban of the team’s official site.
Urban notes that Joseph said while he might not be able to do all the things he did in college, he still wants “Isaiah to be Isaiah.” Simmons played safety, corner, and linebacker at Clemson. “”If it’s a job that we think he can do, we will put him out there,” Joseph said. That echoes what Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury has said since the draft, and it sounds like the team still isn’t sure exactly how they’re going to use him.
- Speaking of Cardinals linebackers, they also signed De’Vondre Campbell to a one-year deal worth up to $8.5MM this offseason. In his comments to the media Joseph revealed that Campbell was the team’s top free agent target, but they initially didn’t think they would be able to get him because of his price. Eventually, Campbell lowered what he was asking for in exchange for a one-year deal. A 2016 fourth-round pick, Campbell spent the past four years as a starter with the Falcons. Along with Simmons, Arizona is counting on him to help revamp one of the league’s worst units.
- The Seahawks did some shuffling on their offensive line the past couple days, releasing veteran interior linemen D.J. Fluker and Justin Britt. Turns out, Britt was released with a failed physical designation, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. It’s not shocking considering Britt’s 2019 season ended back in October with a torn ACL. As Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets, this could reduce the cap space Seattle gains a bit since they’ll have to pay him a settlement if he doesn’t sign with another team in 2020. Condotta also notes that it’s one reason the release took a while. Still, we’ve heard Britt hasn’t suffered any setbacks with his knee, so the proven starter should land on his feet with a new team at some point.
- Longtime 49ers left tackle Joe Staley recently decided to hang up his cleats, and the team acquired Trent Williams as a short-term replacement. They’ve indicated they won’t be ironing out an extension with Williams any time soon, and it’s highly possible he’s a one-year rental. That would leave them in need of another successor, and one potential option could be right tackle Mike McGlinchey. However, the 2018 first-round pick said he has no idea if he’ll ever become a left tackle and that he feels very comfortable on the right side, via Matt Maiocco of NBCSports.com (Twitter link). This echoes what we heard back in March when Staley was still mulling retirement, and it doesn’t sound like the team has any plans to move the Notre Dame product.
looking forward to the Simmons vs Kittle man to man matchup twice a year.
Just don’t expect Georgie boy to show up when it actually matters. 8 catches, 71 yards and 0 TDs in 3 playoff games doesn’t cut it.
Really that was your takeaway from this last 3 game run in the playoffs the niners went on? I cant tell if you are a bitter niners fan looking for the wrong someone to blame or a Daily fantasy player who took kittle hoping for better production. He is arguably the best run blocking tight end in NFL on a run first team. The fame against green bay the niners were up 27-0 by halftime after 3 mostert tds. How many receptions did you expect him to get in that game? They basically ran out the clock the entire 2nd half. Then the game against kansas city he caught the over the shoulder pass right before halftime for like 40+ yards that got called back because of a questionable offensive pass interference call. He also had a route in the fourth quarter where he was wide open and had jimmy g seen him, nfl films anaylst went on knbr a couple days later and said he believed kittle would have scored there to ultimatey end the game and put a possible chiefs comeback out of reach. Those kind of things dont show up on a stat sheet but were noticed by anyone who actually watches all 60 minutes and doesnt just look at box scores
Sportznut, we need to just ignore this idiot. I react to him too. And I and we need to stop. He’s a bitter Rams fan and he doesn’t understand the game. And I’ll repeat, he’s a damned idiot
Never expected to be a bitter Niners fan AND bitter Rams fan…lol. I guess this means I’m off your Christmas card list. Ouch!
Britt must be damaged goods if an OL-needy team like Seattle is so quick to cut ties
They saved 8m by cutting him and hes currently 5-6 months out from an acl injury. It was really the only move if they’re going to add one more impact DL and a nickel CB. Im sure the door isnt shut on him coming back for 2m or something if he cant find better on the open market
Wagner13- I suppose it depends on your definition of damaged goods. Is there risk involved when an OL returns from an ACL? Sure, but Justin Britt is a fighter, a brawler, I have no doubt he will land on his feet with a new team. IMO Britt’s release is due more to finances than injury. I’m convinced Seattle’s FO is aware they need cap room to pay one more good pass rusher or they risk falling further behind in surely the NFL’s toughest division.
We currently have 20+ OL in house- Duane Brown is the only one on a big contract. Pete is keen on C/G BJ Finney, J Jones, P Hayes and Damien Lewis. Finney, Pocic and Hunt have experience at Britt’s spot and there’s also a couple more OL that could switch to C if we need more depth to the entire season.
It could be a cap move? If Clowney will sign one year deal for 13 , then this move was needed. See what happens but both of these moves were expected to come. Not a surprise for Hawk fans…
Right!? No surprise at all- every article that focused on Seattle’s 2020 cap room mentioned Britt, Fluker and even K.J. Wright. I could be wrong but I’m convinced the Hawks will still add at least one more pass rusher.
From a legality stand point are the 49ers required to have a LT? Could the not have 3 guards, a Center and a RT?
you can have no lineman, you just need 7 players on the line of scrimmage; however, there is a reason teams set their rosters a certain way. Guards are usually not as quick as tackles (best athletes go to tackle at a young age) so you would be at a disadvantage.
Going to disagree here. Guards are plenty quick. They have to be because they have a gap on both their left and right side to protect. They also have to be able to get out front for the RB on sweeps. Tackles are chosen primary for their size and strength and ability to protect the outside flank.
Go look at the scoutung reports for defensive lineman. Scouts will sometimes use this line “too quick for the guards, and too strong for the tackles.” The majority of top lineman in history have been tackles. Larry Allen was great and was a guard but the tackle list goes on forever.
Not sure why you would want to use scouting reports to support your opinion. Scouts whiff on the draft just as often as they score a hit. Being a OT might be slightly more glamorous and financially rewarding but it doesn’t prove they’re in any way superior to guards. If guards actually were inferior, wouldn’t the position be phased out in favor of tackles?
Scouts know more than you or me combined, therefore I will listen to them to learn. If you think that failure means they arent worth listening to then that tells the full story. Again, no guard has a prospect billing that reads ” will need to mobe to tackle to make it in the pros” but many college tackles do have the saying that they need to move to guard. anytime a team goes jumbo, they use what as an extra lineman? thats right… another tackle.
JP8, don’t waste ur time with this duh mass. Wasn’t it obvious he’s an idiot when he dissed on scouting reports. He’s a damned idiot.
Now regarding guard/tackle play. Guards were required to be quicker/faster for the longest time for pulling on traps, sweeps etc. and that is still needed but this 2 gap thing cross eyed mentioned is comical. The tackle has an inside gap AND an edge rusher. Clearly edge rushers are the fastest dlineman. They just pin their ears back and aim straight for the qb.
Joe staley, the tackle, ran a 4.65s 40 on his pro day. The tackle position has morphed. Guys like Bubba Paris are no longer nfl prospects. And they are some of the best athletes on their football teams. They have to be super strong and at they same time very mobile.
Again, we all need to ignore the idiot
Having trouble picturing Larry Allen’s tackle but the best tackle I saw was this Atwater guy who hit someone on the other team.
I think you are trolling, but to play along look at the video of larry allen running down an interception without the angle and you will know he was a freak athlete.
JP8 you do need 7 on the OL but 5 need numbers between 50-79. In the NFL you can have more but they need to report as eligible players receivers or RB.
It used to be a center was s 50# guards 60 and tackles 70. They did away with that because it was too constricting.
Like any of this will matter as the Chinese rice virus will never go away and the sports world has changed forever.
If it makes you feel any better, Frank Costanza has a SERENITY NOW tape you can borrow.
Why do you guys always like to talk about your penis in a public forum? It is way to much information. I don’t need to know you are the size of a grain of rice. Now I won’t be able to eat dinner.
Dude you opened yourself up to way to Manu jokes. Probably get banned for many of them though.
Manu jokes? Manu who? The anonymous guy was making rice jokes. Anonymous posters tend to not be real. So, it is highly unlikely this anonymous poster has a penis. Since you want to vouch for this poster, I guess you have seen this anonymous posters penis. I do not understand why guys want to brag about your penis. I’m not interested. The site is about football. You, and Donald Trump’s, penis is irrelevant.