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LB John Simon - (2012 B1G DPOY, Super Bowl Champ)

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Pro Days: Steelers' GM might see Harrison clone in Buckeyes' Simon
By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com
March 25, 2013

While the Baltimore Ravens filled their need for another pass rusher by signing veteran Elvis Dumervil over the weekend, the Pittsburgh Steelers might be targeting a rookie to help take the place of five-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker James Harrison, who the team released two weeks ago in a cost-cutting move.

Reports have surfaced that the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year might be willing to return to Pittsburgh, but general manager Kevin Colbert has never been one to wait for replacement options and, judging by his appearance Monday at a private workout for Ohio State pass rusher John Simon, Harrison may have waited too long.

Colbert was the headliner among representatives from 12 teams at Simon's workout, according to a report from NFL.com's Gil Brandt.

The 6-1, 257-pound Simon starred as a defensive end for the Buckeyes but will likely have to make the transition to outside linebacker in the NFL at this size. He struggled when asked to do so in Mobile, Ala., during Senior Bowl practices before succumbing to a shoulder injury that kept him sidelined at the combine and during Ohio State's originally scheduled Pro Day, March 8.

Despite being hampered by a knee injury that limited him to just 11 games in 2012, Simon was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year with 44 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and a career-high nine sacks. On more than one occasion, the high-effort Simon was characterized by Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer as the "heart and soul" of the team.

Simon demonstrated enough athleticism during his drills Monday to reassure scouts from 3-4 clubs of his ability to pressure the quarterback as a stand-up rusher. He was clocked between 4.62 and 4.70 in the 40-yard dash and posted times of 4.42 seconds in the short shuttle and 7.10 in the three-cone drill. These times are in line with some of the other intriguing "second-tier" hybrid edge rushers of the 2013 draft class, like Auburn's Corey Lemonier and Southern Mississippi's Jamie Collins, among others.

Sporting similarly compact builds, as well as burst and power, Simon and the 6-0, 242-pound Harrison have a lot of similarities in the way that they wreak havoc off the edge.

If healthy, Simon could prove to be an immediate impact defender likely to be available in the second to third round.
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http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...rt-might-see-harrison-clone-in-buckeyes-simon
 
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49 in 49: DE John Simon
Alex Espinoza 49ers.com

Big Ten Week of our 49 in 49 pre-draft series concludes with a look at a versatile and veteran defensive player from Ohio State.

In the changing landscape of the NFL, versatile players have become key parts of team?s draft strategies. When it comes to versatility, John Simon certainly fits the bill.

Though he made his name as a relentless defensive lineman during his career at Ohio State, Simon?s future position in the NFL is yet to be determined. At 6-foot-1, 257 pounds, Simon hounded opposing teams in the trenches during college, but he might be better served as a linebacker at the next level.

?I?m projected by some teams as an outside linebacker in a 3-4,? Simon said. ?That?s just a standup D-end which I played a lot of at Ohio State. I?d definitely feel comfortable if a team wanted to put me in that position. I?d do whatever they want me to do. I?m not going to tell a coach no.?

Aside from new head coach Urban Meyer, who turned Ohio State?s program around from its 6-7 record to an undefeated 12-0 mark in 2012, Simon has also benefitted from the tutorship of former NFL veteran Mike Vrabel. During his 14-year NFL career that included three Super Bowl rings, Vrabel was used in a variety of roles on defense after excelling as a defensive end at Ohio State.

?I definitely know I?m going to have to be adaptable and do whatever I can do to help the team,? Simon said. ?Coach Vrabel taught us so much on the defensive line. I feel we?re similar players. I?ve watched a lot of film on coach Vrabel and have seen how he handled different positions. He played standing up, with his hand down and a couple yards off the line.?

Above all, Simon is known for his non-stop motor and work ethic in the weight room. Before he suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery shortly after the season ended, Simon claimed to have bench pressed 225 pounds more than 40 times, which would have been tops at the NFL Combine.

Instead, Simon had to sit out the Combine and Ohio State?s Pro Day on March 8 until his shoulder was fit for action. On Monday, Simon reportedly held a private workout for 12 NFL teams, running the 40-yard dash in 4.68 and 4.73 seconds. While he didn?t have the strength necessary to get back on the bench at his private workout, Simon?s reputation as a workout warrior should help him make the next step.

?It?s a big step and it comes with the same requirements as it did from high school to college and that?s hard work,? Simon said. ?I?m rehabbing every day doing everything I can, coming in here trying to meet with some coaches and leave my mark and do everything I can to help myself out.?

Despite suffering his shoulder injury in the second week of the season, Simon played through the pain and finished his senior year with First-Team All-Big 10 honors after racking up 44 tackles, nine sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble.

?I?m a true teammate who?s going to help the team no matter what it takes and a guy who?s going to go non-stop to the whistle for four quarters,? Simon said. ?Hopefully I?ll get picked up by a team that really wants me and I can help out. ? They?re going to get the hardest worker on their team and a guy who?s going to be loyal to the team.?
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http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/49-in-49-DE-John-Simon/8f7d407f-fd2c-494c-b3b2-343b7a47001d
 
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Steelers host three prospects for upcoming NFL Draft
By Alan Robinson
Published: Monday, April 1, 2013
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

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Ohio State defensive lineman John Simon (54) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012.

Inside linebacker Vince Williams of Florida State, defensive end/linebacker John Simon of Ohio State and running back Christine Michael of Texas A&M visited Monday with the Steelers. They were the first players brought in for in-house interviews.

NFL teams are permitted to bring in as many 30 players for interviews in advance of the April 25-27 draft.

Simon and Michael are projected as early to mid-round picks, and Williams, who visited last week with the Chiefs, is seen as a later-round pick.

Simon is coming off shoulder surgery that didn't allow him to take part in any of the drills at the recent NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, so he had his own pro day last week in Columbus, Ohio.

Simon was a first-team All-Big Ten player last season and led the conference with nine sacks. Michael was a backup last season but ran for 12 touchdowns and 417 yards on 88 carries.
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Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/3761722-74/michael-nfl-simon#ixzz2PJCglGTR
 
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NFL Draft?s Potential Patriots: Ohio State DE John Simon
04.10.13
By Victor Barbosa

Simon_John-Ohio-State-11-3-12.jpg

Ohio State?s John Simon (right) is known as a high-character individual in addition to being a productive defender. (AP)

JOHN SIMON

Position: Defensive end/outside linebacker

School: Ohio State

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 263 pounds

Achievements: 2012 Big Ten Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year, 2012 Big Ten Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year, 2012, 2011 All-Big Ten (media, coaches), 2012 All-America third team (AP), 2012 Walter Camp All-America second team, 2011 Bill Willis Trophy (nation?s most outstanding defensive lineman), 2010 All-Big Ten honorable mention (2010)

What he brings: Simon was recognized as one of the great leaders in college football and has both great physical and mental strength. He has good agility and outstanding upper-body strength that helps him consistently make tackles. He?s very good with his hands, batting down arms of linemen attempting to block him. Simon reportedly is a great teammate and leader who is extremely dedicated and motivated. Ohio State coach Urban Meyer constantly referred to Simon as the ?heart and soul? of the 2012 Buckeyes.

Where the Patriots could get him: Round 3 or later

Notes: Simon is only the eighth two-time captain in Ohio State history. He led the Big Ten in sacks (9.0) and ranked second in tackles for loss (14.5) in 2012. In his senior season, Simon tied a school record with 5.0 tackles for loss against Nebraska. Simon has been compared to Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich.
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http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports...-potential-patriots-ohio-state-de-john-simon/
 
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There are "huge splits" among teams and league evaluators on Ohio State DE John Simon, according to NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah.
"Some teams like him in the 2nd rd, others think he's a late round guy," Jeremiah tweeted. Simon was miscast as a stand up pass rusher at the Senior Bowl and struggled mightily in coverage. However, his motor is non-stop and Simon even won as an interior rusher, which the NFL covets. Apr 18
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http://www.rotoworld.com/player/cfb/131286/john-simon
 
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Rising NFL draft prospects
A look at 24 players who could go higher than many expected
Originally Published: April 23, 2013
By Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN Insider

John Simon, DE, Ohio St.
There is a wide range on Simon. At his worst, he's a Day 3 guy because he's not big enough to provide a pass rush or reliably set the edge as a 4-3 defensive end and doesn't have the ability to drop and play in space in a 3-4. But Simon is a productive player who brings max effort on and off the field, and could be taken in the third round by some.
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http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draf...an-franklin-ryan-swope-rising-draft-prospects
 
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