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A player who the Broncos spoke to at the Senior Bowl is Ohio States DE John Simon. The big question with him is where will he play in the NFL? In college he's played DE, NT, OLB and ILB. His versatility could help and hurt him. Teams love versatility, but also not fitting into one specific postion may hurt him as well. What makes me really like this guy is that he has a non-stop motor. He's relentless and highly motivated. I love to have those type of guys on my football team personally. According too CBSSports.com Simon is ranked as the 10th overall DE in Aprils NFL Draft and the 86th overall prospect. Simon expects to go anywhere from the late second to the 4th or even 5th rounds
Bio:
John Simon had a very productive four year career at Ohio State. Simon totaled 154 total tackles, 42 tackles for a loss, 20.5 sacks, 10 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles. His best season came his junior and season seasons. In 2011 he totaled 53 total tackles, 16 for a loss and 7 sacks and in 2012 Simon totaled 44 tackles, 14.5 for a loss and 9 sacks.
54 John Simon
Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio
High School: Cardinal Mooney
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 263
Position: DL
Graduated: 2012
Draft Profile for John Simon:
NFL.coms Scouting Report on John Simon:
STRENGTHS:
Strong, high-motor defender. Can break down to tackle ballcarriers in the backfield. Combines agility with excellent upper-body strength to be a secure and explosive tackler. Works down the line with a blocker on his shoulder without giving up ground. Will pressure the upfield shoulder of slower tackles when selling out as a rusher, possesses enough flexibility to capture quarterbacks stepping up in the pocket. Patient when containing, stays engaged until ballcarriers goes inside or outside, then rips off to chase. Uses his hands very well, often batting down the arms of linemen attempting to block him. Displays good pad level. Two-time captain leads his teammates vocally and by example.
WEAKNESSES:
Shorter than many teams prefer in a defensive lineman, and his length is only adequate. Late to react to the snap, less than stellar first step. Slow in spin move attempts. Can struggle to get off blocks from better tackles and will lose sight of the ball at times. Might need to drop some weight to gain agility and quickness whether playing end or linebacker. Not very experienced getting deep drops in coverage or playing man-up for longer periods of time.
NFL COMPARISON: Rob Ninkovich
BOTTOM LINE:
This two-time All-Big Ten pick and two-time Buckeyes captain lacks the height and length most NFL teams want in a defensive end, but teams with less stringent size requirements will covet his exceptional weight-room work ethic. He's late off the ball, and not an explosive athlete, but he understands pad level and hand usage. He's going to have to prove to teams that he can handle himself effectively enough in coverage.
Via: NFL.com
CBSSports.com Scouting Report on John Simon:
Strengths:
Simon has a motor that never quits, playing extremely relentless as one of the best attacking defenders in college football the past few years. He has a strong upper body to swat and use his limbs to beat blocks with the natural power and forceful playing style to keep blockers off balance and shed.
Simon does a nice job setting the edge against the run and takes on blocks destructively, staying disciplined with excellent recognition skills. He takes aggressive angles in the run game and doesn't play hesitant, trusting his eyes and reacting in a flash. Simon tackles through the ballcarrier and has strong wrists and hands to secure stops, rarely missing tackles. He has good short-area quickness with good snap anticipation and dip off the edge to bend around the tackle and gain a step on blockers.
Simon plays every snap as if it's his last and doesn't know how to go half speed, playing motivated and focused. He is a smart, heady player to make impact plays against the run and pass, getting his hands up at the line of scrimmage. Simon is a two-year captain and there isn't a lot he hasn't seen, leading Ohio State as the heart of the team. He closes quickly and plays with excellent pursuit on defense and special teams coverage. Simon has versatile experience at both LE and RE, standing up and with his hand in the dirt, also moving inside to DT at times.
WEAKNESSES:
Simon is almost too bulked up, which limits his fluidity, and he lacks ideal arm length, making it tough for him to disengage at times. He is more of a one-speed rusher and doesn't flash consistent explosion, lacking creativity as an edge rusher. Struggled to cover running backs or tight ends in one-on-one coverage at the Senior Bowl, lacking the natural hip movement or footwork to quickly adjust and blanket his man.
Simon plays too energetic at times and will wear himself out due to his relentless attitude. He takes overaggressive angles at times and needs to control his intensity (roughing the passer penalty vs. California, 2012).
Simon suffered a minor right knee injury (bursa sac) against Wisconsin in 2012, missing the Michigan game (his final collegiate game).
COMPARES TO:
Allen Bailey, DE, Kansas City Chiefs - It's tough to find an exact comparison for Simon, but Bailey comes close with their muscular frames, quick feet and relentless attitude. Simon isn't as big as Bailey (285 pounds), but he's just as strong.
-- Dane Brugler
Via: CBSSports.com
Videos:
2011 - Ohio State Sugar Bowl Highlight Video
John Simon vs. Nebraska (2012)
John Simon vs Penn State (2012)
My Take:
I like Simon. He's a high effort guy who will give his all to the team, but he doesn't really have a position. His effort and relentlessness reminds me a lot of Wolfe. Now I'm not sure if Elway looks for that in his players or not, but it's not a bad trait to have. My issue is that I don't see a spot for him on the Broncos. He doesn't have the prototypical size for a DE and is a little big to be a 4-3 LB. Honestly he seems like a perfect fit for the Patriots or Ravens or any team that plays a 3-4 Defense. I would love for him to be a Bronco though, I'm just not sure he fits in Denver.
What do you think?
Go Broncos!