ExtremeRavens Posted June 6 Posted June 6 Until further notice, Trenton Simpson is simply the inside linebacker who replaced Ravens starter Patrick Queen. The 2023 third-round draft pick out of Clemson is the heir apparent to Queen, but consistency is the key to playing regularly and becoming great in the NFL. Simpson knows he has a lot to prove. “I’m living my dream and just to be able to be in the National Football League is something I dreamed of since I was 6 years old,” Simpson said. “My opportunity is here, and these don’t come around too often, so I just have to make the most out of it. “From when we started back and getting going with the OTAs to now, I’m just taking it every day at a time, and then by the time we’re ready to roll for Game 1, I’ll be ready.” So far, the 6-2, 238-pound Simpson has been outstanding in organized team activities. His speed and ability to cover ground as well as running backs and tight ends has been clearly evident, and the Charlotte, North Carolina, native appears to have bulked up in the offseason. But replacing Queen, an unrestricted free agent who signed a three-year, $41 million contract in early March with AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers, might be more difficult than expected. Queen had his share of critics during his first two seasons in Baltimore, but that might have been more of a result of poor planning by the front office and coaching staff. The Ravens moved him to the middle instead of allowing him to play on the weak side, which is where he played at LSU. But once the Ravens traded with the Chicago Bears for middle linebacker Roquan Smith on Nov. 1, 2022, in a move that allowed Queen to go back to his natural position, his career reached new heights. Queen, drafted by the Ravens with the 28th pick in 2020, led the team in tackles in 2022 with 117, including five sacks, and was second on the team a year ago with 133 behind Smith’s 158. Even Simpson acknowledges Queen is a tough act to follow. “You know, I wish [Patrick Queen] the best,” Simpson said. “We had a great relationship. He was a great mentor for me my rookie year, but I learned so much from him, so now, I’m just taking what I learned and just making the most out of my opportunity and coming in and doing the best Trenton Simpson can do.” “My opportunity is here, and these don’t come around too often, so I just have to make the most out of it,” Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson said. (Amy Davis/Staff) There is so much potential with Simpson. Like Queen, he can provide pressure from the outside as a pass rusher. He had 13 tackles last season, including seven in the regular-season finale when the Ravens rested starters and lost to Pittsburgh, 17-10. But there is one caveat for Simpson this season: He still has Smith working with him on the inside. Queen looked lost in that Jan. 6 game against the Steelers without Smith, but Simpson played well. This might be the time for more Roquan Smith magic. “That dude is a ‘dawg,”’ Simpson said of Smith. “His mentality is the same every single day, it’s the same that you see on Sundays. It’s a blessing to be beside someone like that, learn from him. Also, I’m sitting right beside him in film [sessions]. Whenever I have a question, he’s there to answer it. Off the field, the relationship has grown a lot, also. Just every single day, I’m learning something from him and matching his energy.” Having Simpson sit and learn from both Queen and Smith might have worked out well for the Ravens. There are too many times when top draft picks are forced into games and have on-the-job training. Simpson got the opportunity to learn from one of the top tandems in the NFL. “It’s definitely humbled me a little bit, but it was exactly what I needed because it was a year of growth,” Simpson said of his rookie year. “I wasn’t rushed and thrown into any type of pressure. I was able to grow every week on [our] scout team, and then when I got a chance to play in Week 18. I had 17 weeks of practice.” The Ravens are hoping last season carries over into a possible breakout in 2024. Simpson has done everything needed, especially after a strong offseason in the weight room. The key now is communication. Like most rookies, Simpson had to adjust to the speed of the NFL game. Now, he spends a lot of time watching and breaking down film. It’s time to make a name for himself as a starter. “Trent is doing awesome right now, every single day getting a little bit better, making progress one day at a time,” new inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone said. “He is a young player that hasn’t played the position for very long. So, I’m just looking for every day to be better than the day before, and we’ll continue to work that progress.” View the full article Quote
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