The John Simon era is over in Baltimore!
According to multiple sources the OLB was signed off the Ravens practice squad and on to the Texans 53-man roster where he will be re-united with Texans’ assistant coach Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel and Simon where paired together when both were at Ohio State University as coach and player.
You may recall reports of how the Ravens war room was giddy with excitement when they drafted Simon in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Yet Simon rarely made his way on to the field in Baltimore.
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer on a few occasions has spoken glowingly of Simon.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/nmBpjGMk0gI[/youtube]
Simon is a grinder, a hard worker and ironically he has been compared often to Vrabel.
Admittedly when I’ve watched Simon during practice he’s never been all that impressive. But when he’s taken the field during preseason games, he’s been dominant at times. Granted, his preseason minutes were against second and third string opponents but you can only play against those lining up opposite you, right?
On a team that really needs a boost in the pass rush it’s surprising that the Ravens didn’t give Simon a chance yet they willingly field undrafted players like James Hurst or journeymen like Christo Bilukidi and Lawrence Guy. It makes you wonder if the scouts and the coaches are on the same page when it comes to selecting and developing collegiate talent.
Just ask Arthur Brown.
I’m sure that on Saturday April 27, 2013 when the Ravens pulled Simon’s draft card, the jubilant scouts weren’t expecting this news just 17 months later.
We’ll see what happens to Simon from this point forward.
I know I’ll be watching.
