Denver Broncos: Justin Simmons Next Great No Fly Zone Member
Depth at safety is not a question regarding the Denver Broncos secondary and their defense as a whole entering the 2017 season.
Next Great “No Fly Zone” member: Justin Simmons.
The Denver Broncos drafted both Justin Simmons and Will Parks in 2016 to be a potential replacement for TJ Ward and Darian Stewart. With Stewart extended last season and Ward facing negotiations himself, it is appropriate for Simmons to take more of a center stage in 2017. Both Simmons and Parks made their presence felt in numerous games last year.
No safety appears geared for more improvement it seems than Simmons. Simmons is an athletic rangey safety that makes plays in both the passing and running attack. A playmaker in every sense of the word, Simmons approaches the game humble and one game at a time. He saw plenty of transition as a rookie and now in year two.
“As a rookie, you have a lot going on from preseason all the way to the postseason,” Simmons said. “One of the vets told me, ‘In college, you really just play football. But in the league, you learn football.’”
Broncos safeties Ward and Stewart are veterans to teach Simmons to open his eyes further on the position. He coined the term the “Baby No Fly” and is thankful for every time he has to learn the trades of being an NFL safety.
“Myself, Will Parks and a few others consider ourselves ‘Baby No Fly.’ We’re still in the works, we’re still learning a bunch of the tools of the trade to carry that No Fly Zone,” Simmons stated about continuing to learn the No Fly Zone.
The coaching and breadth of knowledge Simmons learned about the position is top notch.
“Those veterans truly are the most selfless guys I’ve ever met, with the standard they hold being the best. They just want to win. The vets don’t care who is on the team to help them win. They just want to win.” (via Denver Broncos PR)
It is this attitude to learn that helps many transform from good to great as quick as a hiccup. If Simmons learns ropes of safety as quick as last year, the Denver Broncos will be pleased with the progress. At 6’2 and 202 the sky is the limit for a player like Simmons.
Next: Justin Simmons sees increased role in 2017
Simmons soaks up a playbook like a sponge. It is only a matter time before he reaches the level the Broncos saw in him as a player in Boston College.