To be honest, I really didn’t think I would need to write this article, but seeing as the question still remains about whether we should pick up Isaiah’s 5th year option or not, I decided it’s time to give my final eval in hopes of giving a deeper insight.
To get a full understanding, it does help to get a little back story and it so happens I’ve written 3 articles about the man, two concerning his so-called “dimebacker” position, the “Star” role, and his botched development. The links are below, they are very good in-depth reads.
One popular argument for Isaiah having his 5th-year option picked up has to do simply that the Cardinals already botched the development of Haason Reddick, a linebacker that has similarities in being athletic like Isaiah but was misused by 3 different coaching staffs, until being given a role at his natural OLB/DE position. I’ve written about Haason as well, and you already know the story, they declined to pick up his 5th year option, and now he’s a 2nd team All-Pro.
That’s not my reasoning for wanting to pick his 5th-year option up, as I pointed out time and time again, those two circumstances are vastly different. They are too different builds body-wise, one has a strong base and the other is top-heavy. As a matter of fact, athleticism is all they share in common but I’ve heard time and time again that we should convert Isaiah into a full-time pass rusher. While there could be some legitimacy, I don’t buy that notion due to the fact that with Isaiah is already going into his 5th year, you already spent the better portion of his developmental years moving him around four different positions, none of which have fully taken advantage of the closing speed and ability to track down the ball carrier.
There was one notable snap that reminded me of his Clemson Tigers days: Week 18 vs the 49ers.
I have to give credit in a form of a shot, cause I mean I’m still me when it comes to Vance Joseph, but better late than never I guess. It’s not entirely the way Isaiah was supposed to be used (he is in slot after all where he was the majority of the year) but how he was in pursuit of Brock Purdy was the way he was utilized in college. Vance called a blitz on a third down on this quarters look, the condensed formation of the #1 and #2 receiver pushes Isaiah closer to the line of scrimmage. What made this possible was Dennis Gardeck blitzing in a stand-up formation attracting three 49ers in pass protection, allowing JJ to pull a stunt up the middle untouched, flushing Brock from the pocket. This is where Isaiah Simmons gives chase to Brock taking him down for a 17-yard sack. Notice how Isaiah never engaged with any offensive linemen or the running back in pass protection, and once Brock left the pocket and got in the open field, Isaiah used the 4.3 speed to close in on the sack.
Unfortunately going into his 4th year this was the only example I could find where Isaiah has a chase-down sack for a big loss. It is important to note since being in the league he’s had 7 sacks total, 4 last year. With the exception of the one already shown, I have the other 6.
He’s had most of the sacks in his career attacking the edge, but in a way where he’s coming on late and usually lined up with an edge defender to his inside, two of those times he lined up pre-snap and one time he moved down from the second level to rush at the snap.
Twice he did it from the double mugs, once coming unblocked on a rare all-out blitz against the Chargers, all pass protectors were engaged, and the Cardinals had more men than the Chargers could block. In contrast, I searched for his 2019 college highlights and my biggest criticism about Vance’s utilization of Isaiah was not utilizing him as a QB spy or a freelancer, which is what made Isaiah so deadly in the open space. These are the highlights I was able to find to convey that notion:
This last one I just wanted to include it cause I think it’s the funniest thing to see a running back flail around and still give up the sack:
At Clemson, coach Brett Venables often deployed Isaiah as the soft 4th rusher, soft as in not engaging with the pass protectors. The reasoning was that any contact could hamper his ability to use that 4.3 speed. So on most plays where he was deployed as the Dime Linebacker, the 3rd linebacker, usually Coach Venables rushed 3 down linemen and Simmons was the clean up.
Unlike the sack he had on Brock Purdy where he was lined up as a DB sent in on a blitz, the concept remained the same, “We will flush him out, go win for us Simmons”. That’s the only snap to date where I saw Simmons rush in that manner. What does this mean, there were a whole lot of snaps where sacks, fumble’s, TFL’s were potentially left on the field, and that’s leaving a ton of potential big plays that can affect the outcome, speaking of which, lets look at what I call impact stats in his career and lets compare those to other linebackers of note.
Isaiah Simmons Career Stats via Pro Football Focus:
7 Sacks, 32 Pressures, 238 Tackles, 7 Forced Fumbles, 4 Interceptions, 7 PBU’s, 4 TD’s, 173 Targets, 133 Rec’s, 1,266 yards given up, 853 Yards after catch, 28 Missed tackles, 2,278 snaps.
Snaps by position and type:
Pressure: 239 OLB: 432.
Coverage: 1,249, FS: 63, Slot: 641, Corner: 65, Total: 769.
Run Defense: 790 Box:1,077.
Passer Rating Allowed 2020: 121.9, 2021: 89.8, 2022: 98.6.
Kenneth Murray RD 1 23 3 years Los Angeles Chargers Stats via PFF:
2 Sack, 25 Pressures, 206 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumbles, 1 Interceptions, 7 PBU’s, 5 TD’s, 114 Targets, 96 Receptions, 881 Yards given up, 515 Yards after catch, 27 missed tackles, 2,040 snaps.
Snaps by position and type:
Pressure: 146 OLB: 178.
Coverage: 1,051, FS: 9, Slot: 195, Corner: 4, Total: 208.
Run Defense: 843 Box: 1,652.
Passer Rating Allowed 2020: 112.7, 2021: 142.9, 2022: 94.5.
Nick Bolton RD 2 58 2 years Kansas City Chiefs Stats via PFF:
2 Sacks, 21 Pressures, 290 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumbles, 2 Interceptions, 2 PBU’s, 2 TD’s, 116 targets, 105 Receptions, 1,004 yards given up, 672 Yards after catch, 16 Missed Tackles, 1,741 snaps.
Snaps by position and type:
Pressure: 111 OLB: 52.
Coverage: 957, FS: 11, Slot: 61, Corner: 10, Total: 82.
Run Defense: 673 Box: 1,607.
Passer Rating Allowed 2021: 108.6, 2022: 96.8.
Jordyn Brooks RD 1 27 3 years Seattle Sea pigeons Stats Via PFF:
2 Sacks, 22 Pressures, 377 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumbles, 0 Interceptions, 10 PBU’s, 13 TD, 210 Targets, 170 Receptions, 1,874 yards given up, 1,162 Yards after catch, 36 Missed Tackles, 2,502 snaps.
Snaps by position and type:
Pressure: 122 OLB: 233.
Coverage: 1,289, FS: 14, Slot: 195, Corner: 16, Total: 255.
Run Defense: 1,091 Box: 2,044.
Passer Rating Allowed 2020: 100.1, 2021: 129.6, 2022: 123.8.
Patrick Queen RD 1 28 3 years Baltimore Ravens Stats via PFF:
12 Sacks, 55 Pressures, 307 Tackles, 5 Forced Fumble, 3 Interceptions, 5 PBU’s, 6 TD’s, 198 Targets, 160 Receptions, 1,601 yards given up, 1,060 Yards after catch, 60 Missed Tackles, 2,708 snaps.
Snaps by position and type:
Pressure: 278 OLB: 209.
Coverage: 1,417, FS: 13, Slot: 116, Corner: 43, Total: 172.
Run Defense: 1,013 Box: 2,326.
Passer Rating Allowed 2020: 117.5, 2021: 107.1, 2022: 92.2.
Micah Parsons RD 1 12 2 years Dallas Cowboys Stats via PFF:
28 Sacks, 157 Pressures, 107 Tackles, 6 Forced Fumbles, 0 Interceptions, 1 PBU, 0 TD’s, 39 Targets, 26 Receptions, 214 Yards given up, 165 Yards after catch, 18 Missed Tackles, 1,819 snaps.
Snaps by position and type:
Pressure: 795 OLB: 1,111.
Coverage: 348, FS: 1, Slot: 27, Corner: 10, Total: 38.
Run Defense: 676 Box: 669.
Passer Rating Allowed 2021: N/A, 2022: N/A.
Jamin Davis RD 1 19 2 years Washington Commanders Stats via PFF:
2 Sack, 19 Pressures, 173 Tackles, 0 Forced Fumbles, 0 Interceptions, 1 PBU, 2 TD’s, 96 Targets, 78 Receptions, 684 Yards given up, 458 Yards after catch, 20 Missed Tackles, 1,414 snaps.
Snaps by position and type:
Pressure: 129 OLB: 105.
Coverage: 728, FS: 2, Slot: 117, Corner: 15, Total: 134.
Run Defense: 557 Box:n 1,175.
Passer Rating Allowed 2021: 105.5, 2022: 100.7.
Bobby Wagner RD 2 10 years Seattle Sea Pigeons (going on a 3 year sample size) Stats via PFF:
10 Sacks, 50 Pressures, 430 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble, 3 Interceptions, 12 PBU’s, 221 Targets, 173 Receptions, 1,701 Yards given up, 1,114 Yards after catch, 27 Missed Tackles, 3,349 snaps.
Snaps by position and type:
Pressure: 270 OLB: 61.
Coverage: 1,830, FS: 36, Slot: 157, Corner: 12, Total: 205.
Run Defense: 1,249 Box: 3,083.
Passer Rating Allowed 2020: 92.3, 2021: 98.2, 2022: 92.4.
Roquan Smith RD 1 8 5 years Baltimore Ravens/Chicago Bears (going with a 3 year sample size) Stats via PFF:
13 Sacks, 37 Pressures, 459 Tackles, 1 Forced Fumble, 6 Interceptions, 8 PBU’s, 212 Targets, 162 Receptions, 1,331 Yards given up, 938 Yards after catch, 38 Missed Tackles, 3,065 Snaps.
Snaps by position and type:
Pressure: 189 OLB: 78.
Coverage: 1,571, FS: 10, Slot: 210, Corner: 27, Total: 247.
Run Defense: 1,305 Box: 2,738.
Passer Rating Allowed 2020: 75.8, 2021: 86.7, 2022: 90.4.
I added two prominent names to the linebacker room, one who pundits tried to link to the Cardinals in trade proposals after 2 games into the season. These are all the basic stats and snap counts, the obvious difference with Isaiah is the high amount of usage in the slot and the snap count in coverage. Isaiah has 431 more snaps in the slot and 514 more snaps total in the three coverage positions not named linebacker.
Aside from Micah Parsons being a full-time edge rusher (as he should be) Isaiah is second when lining up on the line of scrimmage as an outside linebacker with 432 snaps. This is the definition of moving him all over the field and my criticism has been if you want to maximize his usage, you see what makes him special, and you utilize him in a way where his strength can be amplified.
Everyone knows the term “jack of all trades master of non” and that’s Isaiah’s career in a nut shell. Every year instead of sticking to one position and stream lining to amplify his strenghts, he’s been asked to move around where he has to learn different tells, different reads, and different assigments, this was warned about when drafting Isaiah, you didn’t want to overload him too soon cause it can stall his progression (which don’t get me started, he’s had to fight through being on a snap count since his rookie year, important development and evaluation years).
Let’s talk about his body type. Now, I’ve provided some highlights that show what made him special in college but let’s talk about his measurables. He’s 6″4 238 LBS and has a 4.39 40, we know that, one thing we don’t know is what his 3 cone time is, you wanna know why? Bause it probably would’ve tanked his draft stock.
It’s not uncommon to have players pull out of certain drills due to the nature that you are trying to present the best look for NFL teams, but it gives a tell. When looking at a prospect, aside from the film, you look to see where he’s weak and then you come to a decision “change his build and change who he is or focus on his strengths”. I know this has to do with offense but Isaiah has a similar build to Calvin Johnson and DK Metcalf. Two hyper athletic, big-body receivers who are 6″3 and above, but why is that important? Because that means the center of gravity is higher, which makes them vulnerable to change of direction. Heck! Calvin didn’t even try the 3 cone, and DK had such a horrible performance in the 3 cone with a time of 7.38 seconds, that it basically took him out of any team’s board as a possible 1st round pick. Derwin James (who people compare Isaiah to) also didn’t do the 3 cone BUT! Derwyn being 6″2, also weighs 215 LBS at the safety position. Famously Calvin Johnson made a hall-of-fame career specializing in 4 routes, Nine (go route), Post, slant and curl. Defensive backs had to respect Calvin’s speed, so they had to give Calvin cushion where he was able to take advantage and utilize his change of direction that way. The same applies to DK, and on defense the same has to apply to Isaiah, the less demanding the leverage the better he performs.
Isaiah, as far as PFF goes, had the highest coverage grade amongst DB’s who played prominently in the slot (69.9) and more than tripled the snap count of former Cardinal Byron Murphy, who had 130 snaps in the slot to Isaiah’s 409. Yet Byron Murphy’s coverage grade was 63.9.
I’m not gonna defend Isaiah for what happened against the Chiefs, they do have a tendency to dominate good defenses (see 49ers and Eagles), as well as dominating Vance Joseph-led defenses (reminder, Vance blitz Mahomes more then Mahomes has ever been blitz’d before), but absolutely no one, with the exception of 2 players on the defense (Rashard and Zach), had what you would consider a good game. I think a huge factor for Isaiah was his draft status, which plays a part on why he was eviscerated after game 1.
Ask yourself this question, off the top, can you recall a game-breaking/sealing play by any other Cardinals defender in the last 4 years? For example.. A game sealing interception/pick 6, forced fumble and/or return, game-sealing sack? That’s because there hasn’t been a game sealed by any of those plays not involving Simmons. At the linebacker position that’s rare to hear about, which is why it’s another reason it’s not considered a premium position. Edge rushers and corners who are premium, aside from shutting down game plans are also expected to make game-breaking plays to win the game on defense. I can think of two times Isaiah changed the game, that’s 2 games we don’t win without going into an alternative universe discussion, and to top that off, just like Zaven who also gets flack, Isaiah has a pick 6, alongside Byrons 1, Marco’s 1, and Budda’s almost 1. What more does he need to prove?
My last note, I will do the breakdown of the plays from the games Isaiah “cost” us. The Chargers are “targeting Isaiah” game, and the Falcons.
On this play call, Isaiah is in coverage on Josh Palmer, who was motioned across the formation. At the snap there are multiple things happening at once. Marco is sent on a corner blitz, which means the safety replaces Marco on the coverage assignment, that’s until Isaiah is moved from the right side of the formation, to the left. On this coverage call Isaiah was the Apex defender, the Apex is tasked with the No.2 reciever to his side. Obviously, that changes when the offense motioned, and with Marco taking off for the blitz, both Isaiah and Jalen were suddenly tasked with the same receiver, who did the smart thing and curled his route inward to clear the path for Josh.
Another factor is Justin Herbert evades the blitz and had nothing but about 20 yards of green grass ahead of him. This split second puts Isaiah in conflict because if he chooses (in his mind) to not pursue, then Herbert is off for a huge gain. Losing contain after blitzing should be something we are used to as Cardinals fans, but on this play, as usual, miscommunication was the culprit. The Chargers confused our secondary, and it was compounded by the corner blitz. Still, this is partially Isaiah and Jalen’s (who’s supposed to midpointing the #1 and #2 reciever, if there were muliple recievers to his side) but the motion threw everything off assignment-wise, leading to the confusion. In other words, they got one on the defense and yes one on Vance for sending the corner blitz.
This play along with the next play are controversial, this one will come down to whether or not you think Isaiah made the effort for the play to prevent the TD. Isaiah is lined up at edge, but his primary read is run, secondary is on Gerald Everett in case he runs a route.
With the Chargers lining up under center, the threat of the run is a factor, but after the snap, it confirmed that Justin Herbert still had the ball. If any indication that the #3 receiver (or #2 after the motion) who was Ekeler was running fast to the flat, the Hook defender which was Neimann at the time, should’ve made the push call sooner.
It’s crucial to make the call because it’s obvious that Neimann doesn’t have the athleticism to match the route by the RB, especially if it’s through traffic. As you can see after Neimann makes the call, he then takes Everett in coverage further confirming the switch of assignments. It comes down to the viewer whether Isaiah made the effort and if his reaction was fast enough. I do think so and it’s unfortunate calls like these that look different in real-time.
On this snap Isaiah was caught over-committing, Gerald takes advantage of Isaiah’s lack of good lateral movement. This was the weakness of his top-heavy build, which is why I was against his usage in the slot covering usually smaller stature receivers. He’s watching Gerald stem his route outside before planting his foot and declaring his route back towards the middle. Isaiah leveraged himself outside in case the Chargers were using Keenan Allen and Trevon Mullin as natural rubs. Keenan, being who he is, garners attention which clears a wide-open path for Gerald. This is on Isaiah but as I’ll mention once again, it is the DC who needs to know his player’s strengths and weaknesses, and if Isaiah is to be better laterally, it’s to change his build, which can ruin him. Give credit to the play design, it was smart using Keenan.
This one right here is just simple, once again Isaiah is the Apex in this cover 2 man call, although it looks like it could definitely be quarters coverage. Regardless, the assignments on a coverage call like this are straightforward. Its a 3 by 2 formation, trips to the field side with the No. 2 receiver on the boundary being a running back in the backfield. If the RB on the boundary releases to that side, then that’s Grueger-Hill’s assigment, if the RB doesn’t release to his side, then he spot drops into the hook (underneath) zone looking to rob any that route’s that enters it.
Thus the tight end runs a quick stick route turning around right before the sticks for the catch, Grueger-Hill is reading the QB’s eyes making a break on the ball, a gamble that didn’t pay off. Isaiah drops to cover the number 2, notices the catch by the tight end. He knows this is for the game and quickly reacts to make the tackle, unfortunately, the tight end does the smart thing knowing he had 1 yard for the 1st, he leans back to ensure the first down. Because of that Isaiah misses on the tackle, and I do think that once the catch was made, that was it, if the tight end falls backwards, that’s a first down. It’s another product of unfortunate circumstance, I had to see on Twitter after this game, Isaiah being blamed for this, it wasn’t his assignment to begin with and I know the tackle has to be made, but that’s why you have to watch, pause, and rewind to assess whether or not it is fair to fully blame Isaiah, you be the judge.
“Don’t focus on what a player cannot do. Focus on what he can do, and how we can use it.”
The scouting philosophy of New England. This is important being that Monti has ties with the organization itself. We need to secure the opportunity for this new regime to maximize Isaiah, I have faith in Coach Gannon and DC Nick Rallis. Simmons is a rail gun that with a clean shot to the ball carrier, can obliterate him. Let’s not make the same mistake twice and possibly let a star go.
