Trenton Simpson’s first second as a Raven bought off to an amusing if not clumsy begin.
Entering Day 2 of final month’s NFL draft, Baltimore had seven gamers focused for its Round 3 choose, No. 86 general. By the time their flip got here up, the Clemson linebacker was the final title nonetheless obtainable on the listing, so common supervisor Eric DeCosta phoned Simpson to let him know he was the Ravens’ alternative. The solely downside: Simpson hung up on him.
It was after all only a momentary hiccup amid the emotion and pleasure emanating from Simpson’s Stanfield, North Carolina, residence.
As for the Ravens’ choice of Simpson, it was mildly shocking, given they already had two of the NFL’s greatest linebackers final season in All-Pro Roquan Smith and rising 23-year-old Patrick Queen and a extra urgent have to discover a cornerback to play reverse Marlon Humphrey. But in some ways, it wasn’t.
Simpson match the Ravens’ M.O. of taking one of the best participant obtainable, Queen’s dear fifth-year choice was on the verge of being declined with $100 million already dedicated to Smith for the following 5 years, and Simpson’s traits match Baltimore’s model of play.
Simpson has large receiver pace (his 4.43-second time within the 40-yard sprint was simply behind fellow Ravens rookie Zay Flowers’ 4.42), his constant pursuit and energy impressed the Ravens and he’s a Swiss Army knife defender who was deployed in nickel protection, as an edge rusher and within the field in three years at Clemson.
That versatility (and pace) is one purpose the Ravens will make the most of him on particular groups this season.
“It was pretty easy to love this guy,” Ravens particular groups coordinator Chris Horton Jr. mentioned final week. “You activate the tape, and also you watch him fly round, you watch him get to the soccer, you watch him make performs.
“When I had the privilege to evaluate that guy as a special teamer, it was a no-brainer for me; I want that kind of player. That guy has the traits — those Raven traits — that we look for; he was tough, he was fast, he was physical. He loved playing football, and his energy was just off the chart.”
As for the place else the Ravens plan to make use of Simpson, whom the Ravens bought to see on their follow discipline for the primary time in rookie minicamp, it’s too early to know for sure. But the protection below second-year coordinator Mike Macdonald is thought for giving myriad hybrid and disguised seems to be.
Doing so has been extremely efficient. In the second half of final season, the Ravens had the NFL’s second-best protection behind solely the San Francisco 49ers in anticipated factors added, ranked third in effectivity in Football Outsiders’ DVOA and fifth in yards per play. Over the ultimate six video games of the common season, Ravens opponents averaged simply 192.5 passing yards per recreation, with a 4-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and three.8 yards per carry.
And whereas they’re with out defensive finish Calais Campbell and his 5 1/2 sacks from final season after he signed with the Atlanta Falcons, it’s nonetheless potential they may deliver again edge rusher Justin Houston, whose 9 1/2 sacks in 2022 led the staff, or one other veteran move rusher. There’s additionally rookie edge rusher Tavius Robinson, whom Baltimore drafted out of Ole Miss within the fourth spherical.
As for Simpson, a take a look at his previous maybe portends his function with the Ravens, at the very least for now.
In his final two seasons at Clemson, he allowed solely 353 yards on 66 targets — a ability that’s ultra-important at linebacker in at this time’s NFL. Over 37 profession video games for the Tigers, he had 87 tackles — together with 22 1/2 for loss — 12 1/2 sacks, six move breakups and three compelled fumbles with a propensity to cut on the ball.
While Simpson’s tackling method isn’t flawless — his read-and-react time is a tick slower than the place it must be and he generally will get misplaced within the wash within the center — these are issues the Ravens really feel he can enhance. His motion abilities, in the meantime, are way more much like that of a defensive again than a linebacker, which might make him an impactful defender instantly.
A take a look at one other Raven additionally supplies a clue. Safety Kyle Hamilton performed everywhere in the defensive backfield, in addition to particular groups, throughout his rookie yr earlier than finally settling in to change into an efficient starter late final season.
Coach John Harbaugh mentioned he sees Simpson as a four-down linebacker finally. But there are quite a lot of locations he thinks he can fill in till then.
“[He] looks fast, [is] picking things up, [he is a] very good communicator,” Harbaugh mentioned. “Obviously, there’s a lot for these guys on their plate; there’s a lot to learn, but he’s off to a good start.”
There’s additionally a protracted listing of legendary linebackers who’ve performed for the Ravens, together with Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, 2011 Defensive Player of the Year and two-time All-Pro Terrell Suggs and 1997 Defensive Rookie of the Year and four-time Pro Bowl choice Peter Boulware, amongst others.
Simpson isn’t shying away from that historical past, and he’s desperate to be taught from Smith and others.
“I can fit in any scheme,” he mentioned the night time he bought drafted. “You’re not going to regret this pick, and I’m going to maximize every opportunity, and Trent Simpson is going to go down as one of the greats for the Baltimore Ravens, believe that.”
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com