Alexis Chassen
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John Simon signs 3-year deal with the Colts
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The linebacker is moving on from the Texans.
Former Ohio State stud John Simon entered the NFL offseason as an unrestricted free agent, but the Houston Texans decided not to retain the linebacker moving forward. Instead, the Indianapolis Colts have agreed to terms with the Buckeye on a 3-year deal worth $17 million, according to ESPN.
The edge rusher had a career-season as a Texan in 2016, even though he only suited up for 11 of the 16 games. He finished the year with 51 total tackles (42.5% of his career total), 3.5 sacks, two passes defended and a forced fumble.
In Week 11’s Monday Night Football game against the Oakland Raiders, Simon suffered a chest injury in the overtime loss. Despite rehabbing 12 hours a day, Simon was only active for one additional regular season game the rest of the year. His dedication to getting back in the game spoke volumes about the type of player he is, making him even more valuable.
Simon also had a secret weapon in Houston: former linebacker coach and now defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the Buckeye who chose to come back to Ohio State and help coach during the transition year between Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer — you know, the one under Luke Fickell.
Vrabel is actually a big reason Simon was in Houston to begin with. The linebacker was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, before being released after just one season and added to the team’s practice squad. Two months later in Oct. 2014, the Texans swooped in and picked up the Buckeye.
Under Vrabel’s tutelage, Simon thrived as a back-up to J.J. Watt and eventually turned that into a starting role with Watt’s season-ending injury ahead of the 2016 season.
Continue reading...
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The linebacker is moving on from the Texans.
Former Ohio State stud John Simon entered the NFL offseason as an unrestricted free agent, but the Houston Texans decided not to retain the linebacker moving forward. Instead, the Indianapolis Colts have agreed to terms with the Buckeye on a 3-year deal worth $17 million, according to ESPN.
The edge rusher had a career-season as a Texan in 2016, even though he only suited up for 11 of the 16 games. He finished the year with 51 total tackles (42.5% of his career total), 3.5 sacks, two passes defended and a forced fumble.
In Week 11’s Monday Night Football game against the Oakland Raiders, Simon suffered a chest injury in the overtime loss. Despite rehabbing 12 hours a day, Simon was only active for one additional regular season game the rest of the year. His dedication to getting back in the game spoke volumes about the type of player he is, making him even more valuable.
Simon also had a secret weapon in Houston: former linebacker coach and now defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the Buckeye who chose to come back to Ohio State and help coach during the transition year between Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer — you know, the one under Luke Fickell.
Vrabel is actually a big reason Simon was in Houston to begin with. The linebacker was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, before being released after just one season and added to the team’s practice squad. Two months later in Oct. 2014, the Texans swooped in and picked up the Buckeye.
Under Vrabel’s tutelage, Simon thrived as a back-up to J.J. Watt and eventually turned that into a starting role with Watt’s season-ending injury ahead of the 2016 season.
Continue reading...