Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons is taking the second-year leap in 2020 with his sensational play on the field that has earned him the label of the team’s best defender.
The numbers speak for themselves when it comes to Simmons. His two sacks in five games matches what he did in seven regular-season games last season, and his eight QB hits are six more than he had in his rookie campaign.
But Simmons’ development is about more than just what he’s doing in the trenches. The former first-round pick is also becoming a leader for the Titans, which doesn’t happen very often with a second-year player.
Prior to games, Simmons leads the team in a chant to “get the blood flowing a little bit,” according to Jim Wyatt of Titans Online, and he hopes that his passion for the game rubs off on his teammates.
“You want to feel that fire from teammates that you have. For me, I wake up on game day so ready to play with so much passion inside. Hopefully it rubs off on other guys,” Simmons said, via ESPN’s Turron Davenport.
That’s @GrindSimmons94 in the middle getting the @Titans riled up. pic.twitter.com/ZrB24sAJqs
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 25, 2020
Simmons says being a leader is something he has always tried to be. He also holds himself to a “high standard” and pushes the guys around him to be better.
.@GrindSimmons94: I've always tried to be a leader. I take pride in pushing the guys that play my position, and holding myself to a high standard @Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 29, 2020
On Thursday, head coach Mike Vrabel shared his belief that Simmons has what it takes to be a captain for Tennessee in the future.
Vrabel : @GrindSimmons94 will likely be here a long time, and he will eventually be a captain.@Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 29, 2020
From the looks of it, the Titans seem to have the full package in Simmons, whose impact is being felt in more ways than one. With each passing day, Tennessee’s selection in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft looks more and more like a steal.
