ExtremeRavens Posted May 30 Posted May 30 For Ravens weakside linebacker Trenton Simpson, the sequel has to be better than the original. In his second NFL season, the 2023 third-round draft pick out of Clemson finished with 73 tackles. That might be good for a reserve, but not a starter. Since they are mostly uncovered, weakside linebackers generally finish second or third on their team in tackles, right up there with a safety. But after Week 13, the Ravens benched Simpson, and Chris Board and Malik Harrison shared starting duties for the rest of the regular season and into the playoffs. Board then signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the New York Giants on March 12, and a day later Harrison finalized a two-year agreement for $10 million with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Guess who is the Ravens’ starting weakside linebacker going into training camp next month? It’s Simpson, based more on design than the lack of available talent. “Most definitely, I expect to start,” said Simpson, who started with the first group in base defense Wednesday in the first voluntary practice of organized team activities that was open to the media. “That was my goal all through the offseason, just to improve and earn the trust of my teammates and coaches. I expect a big year for myself.” So do the Ravens. Last year, Simpson was benched in what coach John Harbaugh termed a “reset period.” He was right. The reviews were mixed on the 23-year-old Simpson. There were times when he looked lost and couldn’t find a running back or tight end in coverage even with the aid of a navigation system. That was strange because he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds with a 1.55-second 10-yard split at the 2023 NFL scouting combine, both elite marks for the linebacker position. There are some running backs who don’t run that fast. Simpson’s development, though, wasn’t about his great athleticism, but more about film study and recognizing down and distance. Then there is reaction time. A step slow in the NFL can lead to touchdowns. Many touchdowns. “I’m blessed to be playing the same defense going into my third year,” said Simpson, who is entering his second season with defensive coordinator and former inside linebackers coach Zach Orr after playing his rookie year under Mike Macdonald. “Just going into this year, I have more understanding of what to expect from an offense, being ahead of the play. I learned so much last year; grew a lot from what I went through and am so excited.” The effort to learn and grow is sincere because of Simpson’s sense of humility. Also, the Ravens have him as a starter with William Kwenkeu and rookies Teddye Buchanan and Chandler Martin behind him. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, right, beats Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson, left, for a catch in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season. The Ravens are counting on Simpson taking a step forward in 2025, his third NFL season. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Simpson, from Charlotte, North Carolina, reported to offseason workouts weeks before most other Ravens. Last year, he played at 235 pounds but has added 6-8 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-2 frame. He is chiseled because of a diet that has helped increase his strength. He now squats over 500 pounds. “I’m just competing with myself,” Simpson said. “Honestly, just being sharp myself, focusing on coming in every day, making sure I know the game plan, communicating at a high level and playing fast. I truly feel like this year is just me versus me, and I want to go out there and make plays. “I mean, going back, I just did a lot of self-evaluation and looking at myself in the mirror and I knew that I wanted to gain a little bit more weight so I can be more stout against the run. I mean, I can run fast regardless of whatever weight I’m at. God gave me speed, so yeah, the weight was something I wanted to improve on myself.” There will be some missing parts. Pro Bowl linebacker Roquan Smith will be in the middle again, and Simpson counted on him for advice. But he also was tutored by Harrison and Board, who are now playing elsewhere. Once considered a youngster, Simpson has become a veteran. “We always had a solid room,” Simpson said. “One thing I took away from in my rookie year is both [Smith] and Patrick [Queen] both playing relentlessly, playing like a Raven. What I learned from them is something that I know will benefit me.” Simpson still remains in frequent contact with Queen, the player he replaced at the start of last season. Despite the Steelers being Baltimore’s top nemesis, Pittsburgh now has Queen and Harrison. But Simpson wants to focus only on himself. This season has to be a big one. “Truthfully, you just have to know how important the details are at this level,” Simpson said. “Just knowing concepts and tendencies, just understanding that it’s a battle, it’s a long season. You just got to be able to stick it through, continue to perform. I need to be in the right spots so my teammates can depend on me.” One person who will keep an eye on Simpson is Harbaugh. There cannot be another “reset” period. Those ground rules were set after last season. “Trenton Simpson is a young player for sure, so there’s not any one thing I think [that] any one player needs to work on, but for Trenton, it’s going to be just processing the game at the position,” Harbaugh said. “That’s a function of study, for sure, but just also reps and confidence and learning the defense, understanding what the offense is trying to do. Then, when you get out there, processing the game, reacting, and I guess putting that physical ability — which is so prolific — putting it to good use.” Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article Quote
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