Jeffery Simmons is a Scumbag

Before the 2023 season began, some observers believed that the Ravens offense would start slow. It was to be expected. The offensive system being implemented by new coordinator Todd Monken would take some time given its schematic departure from Greg Roman’s four-year-old blueprint. And let’s not forget that the preseason is no longer viewed as an opportunity to put the new plan in motion. In the modern NFL, it simply represents a chance to avoid injury.

So, the sluggish should be no surprise and at its controls – none other than Lamar Jackson.

Lamar has played decently. Each week there seems to be a little more progress, a few more building blocks added, that may one day comprise the offense’s foundation. Currently, Lamar has a 93.0 passer rating, good for 10th among NFL starting quarterbacks. That’s not bad considering the work-in-progress offense. The trouble is, when Lamar does make mistakes, they seem to come at the most inopportune times. And that’s why the optics on Jackson’s season thus far are a bit murky.

That said, through six weeks, the Ravens own a (4-2) mark, good for first place in the AFC North. Making the record that much more impressive is the fact that four of their 6 games were on the road, one being in London. The two losses were clearly frustrating, both winnable games. But such things happen in a watered-down NFL. Any given Sunday. Yet the silver lining in it all, is that the Ravens have been able to move to the top of their division while the building blocks are installed.

We’ll see how the construction of the offense goes from here, guided by an engineer named Monken.

But make no mistake about it, there’s reason for optimism.

[The Tyus Bowser Blues]

A Little Edge

On the flipside, lies DC Mike Macdonald’s squad. Currently, the Ravens defense ranks No. 2 in the league, 2nd v. the pass and 10th against the run. Credit to Macdonald for getting it done despite extended absences from Marlon Humphrey, Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo. Marcus Williams has also missed 3 games and even when he has played, he’s been disabled by that pec injury that forces him to play safety with limited extension. It’s very reminiscent of T-Rex.

Of some concern, however, is the run defense. Seemingly once per week, the Ravens give up a chunk play off-tackle that has been enabled by a defender not holding down the edge. The issue isn’t quite a red flag at the moment. But it is something to watch as the team moves forward. The return of Oweh from that high ankle sprain, should help to button up the problem.

Sizzle

One of the best to ever hold down the edge and certainly the best in Ravens history, is Terrell Suggs. Suggs anchored the boundary of the Ravens defensive front for 16 seasons. His stout presence influenced running backs to navigate between the tackles and into the waiting arms of defensive tackles and off-the-ball linebackers. But that was hardly the extent of Suggs’ contributions. He’s the team’s all-time sack leader with 132 ½; he had 63 passes defensed to go with 33 forced fumbles and 7 interceptions.

Sizzle was an absolute stud. He embodied the term “Play Like a Raven” and he was a terrific lieutenant to Ray Lewis’ general for many years. Suggs will be honored on Sunday with his induction into the Ravens Ring of Honor. That was a given. The Pro Football Hall of Fame also seems to be a given as well. The only question is, which induction class?

The incomparable @untouchablejay4 will be inducted into the #Ravens ROH on Sunday. Here's to a DUB to celebrate Sizzle!https://t.co/ItmkKmjC78

— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) October 18, 2023

What a Scumbag!

Speaking of class, or should I say the lack thereof, let’s talk about the Titans Jeffery Simmons. There’s no denying Simmons’ talents. He’s an interior force for head coach Mike Vrabel’s defense. He can gobble up blockers, stuff ball carriers and collapse a pocket. There’s also no denying that Simmons is a sorry excuse for a human being.

Simmons was one of the most visible perpetrators when the Titans came into The Bank and desecrated the Ravens shield. During the Divisional Playoff Game in 2020, it was reported that Simmons spat in the face of Marshal Yanda while shouting out the unsavory ways in which he would treat Yanda’s wife and kids. I get that part of the game is to get into the head of opponents, but Simmons tactics just go way over the line.

“I do want to say another thing. No. 98 [Simmons] for the Titans – I had that guy spit in my face today. I just want to put him on notice in the media. I’ve never done this in my career, but I just want to let you know that there’s a right way and a wrong way to play football. That guy did not do it the right way today.” ~ Marshal Yanda

Questioned about the spitting incident, Simmons did nothing to deny it.

“I know what I did and I know what I didn’t do. At this point in time — today is Wednesday — I’m focused on the Chiefs right now and helping my team win. What I did this past game, what I didn’t do this past game, is not going to help us win this week, so I’m focused on what I can do to win, and what I will do to help get this win this Sunday.”

This past Sunday in London, Simmons was back at it again with his loathsome behavior, and this time his targets were Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham, Jr.

Jeffery Simmons is a dirty player. Going at the ankles of a player already being tackled by two other players. Titans players are trash humans. pic.twitter.com/AWkNDEgzd3

— gleef.win (@TheGleef) October 16, 2023

Pictures of post-game fight between Ravens WR Odell Beckham Jr. and Titans DL Jeffery Simmons pic.twitter.com/00Vy4ItSSG

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) October 18, 2023

Here’s Odell Beckham Jr. on the postgame incident with Jeffery Simmons. OBJ obviously took exception to Simmons lunging at Zay Flowers’ leg during the game, which sparked the first scuffle. pic.twitter.com/3Lbo1Rk83y

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) October 18, 2023

Bad behavior is part of Simmons’ DNA. The spots on this leopard are indelible and they go back quite a way. He is, always has been and probably always will be a scumbag.

In 2016, as a five-star defensive end out of Noxubee County (Mississippi), Simmons beat a defenseless woman (video below). He claimed that he was defending his family.

Let’s just call Simmons what he is – a sorry sack of a man; a despicable human being and a God-awful role model for kids, who gets ushered through life by enablers who kick decency to the curb and look the other way just to win on the football field. There’s just no accountability and it’s unlikely that Vrabel will force it upon him. He, like others before him, seek job security. And if he has to look the other way in order to maintain a comfortable and safe livelihood, he has and will continue to do so every day of the week and twice on Sunday.