Isaiah Simmons Settling into Giants Defense

New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale didn't have to think twice when asked if new linebacker Isaiah Simmons is fitting in.

"Yeah, he's fitting in," Martindale said. "He's fitting in."

And why not? Martindale, who runs a "positionless defense," has already begun putting Simmons's skillset to work in the box, on the defensive line, and in the slot.

Simmons only played in 15 snaps in the Week 1 loss to the Cowboys, carrying out his assignments well enough to include a solid physical contain to force the runner into traffic, one flashing into the backfield on one blitz, and making a tackle in space when he recovered from having his back turned at the snap.

Simmons, so far, is enjoying his developing role in the Giants defense.

"It’s kind of different than any other system I’ve been in," Simmons said Thursday. "When he says positionless defense, he truly means that. Learning things conceptionally knowing that where you are some weeks, you may not be there next week.

"I think that was something that stuck with me, and it goes a long way because it’s how I think of things. Just because you align on the edge like an outside linebacker, you’re still maybe dropping curl flat. Curl flat drops curl flat drop, regardless if you’re doing it from the line of scrimmage or if you’re doing it from a linebacker spot, coming down spinning like a safety. It all could be the same; it's just all alignment and whatnot."

As Martindale unveils Simmons's long-term role in the defense, which he promises will continue to expand, it will be interesting to see what he has in mind for the former Cardinals defender.

Simmons might be most immediately useful as a blitzer, as he has rare length, speed, and explosiveness for a second-level player, all of which could make him a dangerous pass rusher.

When he isn’t blitzing, Simmons’ background as a defensive back should allow him to cover well enough that offenses can’t immediately assume that he’s a rusher – and he can eventually help coverage rotations to replace rushers from other alignments.

"What is this, the third week he's been here? It’s just going to keep expanding," Martindale said. "He's a positionless player, which is a compliment to him. We can move him around and play him in different spots.

"Through attrition, there's going to be different spots that are open, and each week, you put him in the best spot that you need him in to help us."

That's just fine with Simmons. "I think my skill set that I have personally – an example like that, I can do that from any spot on the field effectively," he said. "I feel like that just increases your value, and that’s how you stay in the NFL anyways, is holding your value. I don’t take it as anything bad."

Martindale is looking forward to seeing Simmons continue his development in Giants blue.

"He's just going to keep getting better and better," Martindale said.

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