Isaiah Simmons the Starbacker – Duh!

Vance Joseph has a name for Isaiah Simmons role – the STAR backer.

For anyone that doesn’t know me – and as a reminder to those who do – I’m very, very, very, critical of Vance Joseph. But, I will give him credit when it is due, and he’s definitely got one coming from me for something he recently said. I could’ve looked like a genius – or at least as someone who knows what he’s talking about – in my Isaiah Simmons – The Dimebacker article I wrote last week, had I titled it what Isaiah Simmons is actually playing: the “STAR” position. Yes that is an actual position in the NFL, usually designated for very talented Safeties/Linebackers.

The position is an answer to today’s college spread offenses. Of course, we know that the college level is a testing ground for the NFL. The fact that Vance announced this position to begin with, marks a big change coming to the Cardinals defense. And, while I have my criticisms of the handling of Isaiah Simmons deployment and usage for the Cardinals defense, better late than never at this juncture.

The “base” defense where the “STAR” backer is utilized is the 4-2-5, which consists of four down linemen, two off ball inside linebackers, and five defensive backs (two corners, two safeties, and one linebacker/safety hybrid).  The basics idea is that you are having an athletic linebacker play as a box safety.

Of course, every call has different assignments, but it is such a versatile position that it truly places the STAR all over the field.  I mean, that’s what we’ve heard about Isaiah’s utilization since he was drafted.

The projected 4-2-5 starting lineup

DT J.J. Watt

DT Rashard Lawrence

DE Markus Golden

DE Devon Kennard

LB Zaven Collins

LB Nick Vigil

STAR Isaiah Simmons

CB Byron Murphy

CB Marco Wilson

S Jalen Thompson

S Budda Baker.

Keep in mind that’s just my projections – it could very well be Zach Allen in place of Rashard Lawrence, but with four down linemen that would be giving up size at the line of scrimmage. Of course, this could be just one of their of personnel groupings, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they tried to run this as their base defense.

Now the STAR is usually lined up on the field side (the larger side of the field opposite the boundary side) and kept around a depth of five yards.  This is done in case the offense is running an RPO – usually RPO’s run towards the field side, so having Simmons take that responsibility is exactly part of why you drafted him to begin with.

Of course, we worry about this very little in the NFC West, except in the case of defending Trey Lance, with whom Isaiah has history (we all remember the goal line stop).

It’s very encouraging that Vance has finally acknowledged this position for Isaiah. I know the media has handled the name of the position as “he’s gonna play like a star,” but this move probably offers the future of the defense its biggest upside.

Just imagine what the Cardinals are doing here: just like the spread offense changing the game, then Kliff and Kyler bringing the Air Raid to the NFL, this could be the first time an NFL team has a 4-2-5 as its base defense. Even teams like the Patriots are taking elements, getting smaller and faster at the linebacker position with the release of the veterans and the infusion of the young athletic linebackers. Old Billy has a version of his “STAR” backer in Kyle Dugger.

The league is shifting – let’s hope our Cardinals plant the flag first! Let’s go Red Sea!!