Brian Simmons released - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

Matt700wlw · 02-28-2007, 03:56 PM

BENGALS RELEASE LB BRIAN SIMMONS

The Bengals today terminated the contract of LB Brian Simmons, releasing him to free agency.

Simmons, a 10th-year NFL player for 2007, was a Bengals first-round draft choice in 1998 and has played all nine of his previous seasons for Cincinnati. He has played in 121 games with 115 starts, compiling 896 total tackles, 23 sacks, 11 interceptions, 43 passes defensed, 14 forced fumbles and 8 fumble recoveries. He has scored three touchdowns, two on interception returns and one on a fumble return.

“This was not an easy decision to make,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “Brian has been a fine player on the field, and he has been a great example to all of our players as a team leader and a citizen.

“But a new NFL year is about to begin with the start of free agency, and this allows us to best position our team under the salary cap to move forward for 2007. It will afford us options for signing other players who are a better overall fit, given the strengths and needs of our current roster. This could include our own unsigned players, or players from other teams.

“We thank Brian for his years of great service for the Bengals, and we wish him the very best. We know he has been a favorite among our fans, and it has been our privilege to work with him.”

Simmons missed five games and three additional starts in 2005, due to a neck strain, but he came back to play in the last five games and start the last three. He finished the year with 11 games played and eight starts, and ranked fourth on the team in tackles (78) while leading the front seven in passes defensed (8).

He led the Bengals in tackles in 1999 and finished second on the team in six other seasons

HotCorner · 02-28-2007, 04:11 PM

Mixed thoughts on this action.

I'm glad because it creates more cap space and allows the younger LB's more PT.

Yet Brian Simmons was one of the model citizens on this team when character has become such an issue.

Heath · 02-28-2007, 04:14 PM

Someone will pick him up, no doubt.

Joseph · 02-28-2007, 04:14 PM

I'm with you Hot Corner, it's a mixed emotions kind of thing. Sim was [apparently] one of the good ones based on what we know of him, and a solid player.

LoganBuck · 02-28-2007, 04:15 PM

So, um, who plays linebacker next season? Odell Thurman? Miller and Johnson are RFAs who are likely back, they are adequate. Thurman and Pollack are in limbo and are doubtful they ever play in Cincy again. Brooks and Nickelson are young and have frankly not done anything yet. I am really hoping that the Bengals pick up something exciting in free agency.

Heath · 02-28-2007, 04:16 PM

I thought Caleb Miller did quite well - wasn't he in the Top Ten in the AFC in tackles for a while?

HotCorner · 02-28-2007, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoganBuck

So, um, who plays linebacker next season? ... I am really hoping that the Bengals pick up something exciting in free agency.

Adalius Thomas?

WMR · 02-28-2007, 04:40 PM

Hmmm the ratio of thugs to good people just got a little lower.

Good luck Simmons.

Joseph · 02-28-2007, 04:44 PM

I think Odell will be back next season in the middle, and they will draft one in round 2.

Danny Serafini · 02-28-2007, 04:47 PM

Didn't see that one coming.

dsmith421 · 02-28-2007, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heath

I thought Caleb Miller did quite well - wasn't he in the Top Ten in the AFC in tackles for a while?

He's really good at tackling running backs 6-8 yards down the field. I've seen no signs from that guy that he's NFL quality.

Degenerate39 · 02-28-2007, 07:49 PM

Damn I thought he was released from jail or something when I saw this

Redhook · 02-28-2007, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by degenerate10

Damn I thought he was released from jail or something when I saw this

That is actually pretty funny.

Obviously now, the Bengals need major help at linebacker. They did before this move too. They have to pick up a free agent (please, oh please, let that be Adalius Thomas) and draft another one. If I'm the Bengals I draft a very athletic linebacker in the first round. I think the Bengals are o.k. with their cornerbacks and can wait a year to draft another in the first round. Their safeties are decent and their line is decent. Linebacker is the Bengals big gaping hole. They have to sign and draft two linebackers. I think they can wait until the second round to get another cornerback or defensive lineman.

Ideally, the Bengals would trade down their first round pick to the mid-upper 20's and pick up a third round pick that they currently don't have.

TeamSelig · 02-28-2007, 08:27 PM

Jeez, I really thought the LB position was a big hole we needed to fix.

traderumor · 02-28-2007, 10:37 PM

Simmons was nowhere to be found virtually all season. They needed as much help at LBer with him as without him. No real loss there.

02-28-2007, 03:56 PM	#1
Matt700wlw Making sense of it all Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 26,130	Brian Simmons released BENGALS RELEASE LB BRIAN SIMMONS The Bengals today terminated the contract of LB Brian Simmons, releasing him to free agency. Simmons, a 10th-year NFL player for 2007, was a Bengals first-round draft choice in 1998 and has played all nine of his previous seasons for Cincinnati. He has played in 121 games with 115 starts, compiling 896 total tackles, 23 sacks, 11 interceptions, 43 passes defensed, 14 forced fumbles and 8 fumble recoveries. He has scored three touchdowns, two on interception returns and one on a fumble return. “This was not an easy decision to make,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “Brian has been a fine player on the field, and he has been a great example to all of our players as a team leader and a citizen. “But a new NFL year is about to begin with the start of free agency, and this allows us to best position our team under the salary cap to move forward for 2007. It will afford us options for signing other players who are a better overall fit, given the strengths and needs of our current roster. This could include our own unsigned players, or players from other teams. “We thank Brian for his years of great service for the Bengals, and we wish him the very best. We know he has been a favorite among our fans, and it has been our privilege to work with him.” Simmons missed five games and three additional starts in 2005, due to a neck strain, but he came back to play in the last five games and start the last three. He finished the year with 11 games played and eight starts, and ranked fourth on the team in tackles (78) while leading the front seven in passes defensed (8). He led the Bengals in tackles in 1999 and finished second on the team in six other seasons __________________ An excited shade of Red

02-28-2007, 04:11 PM	#2
HotCorner Big League Choo! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The 513 Posts: 2,157	Re: Brian Simmons released Mixed thoughts on this action. I'm glad because it creates more cap space and allows the younger LB's more PT. Yet Brian Simmons was one of the model citizens on this team when character has become such an issue. __________________ YouTube - Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams Baseball Stars Rocks!

02-28-2007, 04:14 PM	#3
Heath This one's for you Edd Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dayton Area Posts: 8,471	Re: Brian Simmons released Someone will pick him up, no doubt. __________________ Some people play baseball. Baseball plays Jay Bruce.

02-28-2007, 04:14 PM	#4
Joseph Tired of talk. Win! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 8,122	Re: Brian Simmons released I'm with you Hot Corner, it's a mixed emotions kind of thing. Sim was [apparently] one of the good ones based on what we know of him, and a solid player. __________________ Championships for MY teams in my lifetime: Cincinnati Reds - 75, 76, 90 Chicago Blackhawks - 10 University of Kentucky - 78, 96, 98, 12 Cincinnati Bengals - None Chicago Bulls - 91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98

02-28-2007, 04:15 PM	#5
LoganBuck I hate the Cubs Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 5,580	Re: Brian Simmons released So, um, who plays linebacker next season? Odell Thurman? Miller and Johnson are RFAs who are likely back, they are adequate. Thurman and Pollack are in limbo and are doubtful they ever play in Cincy again. Brooks and Nickelson are young and have frankly not done anything yet. I am really hoping that the Bengals pick up something exciting in free agency. __________________ Whenever you get mad over a called strike or ball on a close pitch, it's the equivalent of being mad at the QB pump-faking one time before throwing a pass in your average NFL game. ---Caveat Emperor

02-28-2007, 04:16 PM	#6
Heath This one's for you Edd Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dayton Area Posts: 8,471	Re: Brian Simmons released I thought Caleb Miller did quite well - wasn't he in the Top Ten in the AFC in tackles for a while? __________________ Some people play baseball. Baseball plays Jay Bruce.

02-28-2007, 04:44 PM	#9
Joseph Tired of talk. Win! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 8,122	Re: Brian Simmons released I think Odell will be back next season in the middle, and they will draft one in round 2. __________________ Championships for MY teams in my lifetime: Cincinnati Reds - 75, 76, 90 Chicago Blackhawks - 10 University of Kentucky - 78, 96, 98, 12 Cincinnati Bengals - None Chicago Bulls - 91, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98

02-28-2007, 04:47 PM	#10
Danny Serafini 15 game winner Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sultanes de Monterrey Posts: 4,172	Re: Brian Simmons released Didn't see that one coming.

02-28-2007, 07:49 PM	#12
Degenerate39 Senor Votto Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 7,847	Re: Brian Simmons released Damn I thought he was released from jail or something when I saw this __________________ Most Vottomatic Player

02-28-2007, 08:27 PM	#14
TeamSelig Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,727	Re: Brian Simmons released Jeez, I really thought the LB position was a big hole we needed to fix.

02-28-2007, 10:37 PM	#15
traderumor Unsolicited Opinions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Right Down Broadway Posts: 17,646	Re: Brian Simmons released Simmons was nowhere to be found virtually all season. They needed as much help at LBer with him as without him. No real loss there.

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