Colts.com article on Simon

[BigEd76]

Colts.com

SOMETHING TO PROVE
Simon Wants to Show He's More Than a Run Stopper
By John Oehser - Colts.com


INDIANAPOLIS – That Corey Simon made an impact for the Colts last season rarely was questioned.

Simon, a Pro Bowl defensive tackle with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003, signed as an unrestricted free agent just before the season, and throughout last season, he helped establish a presence on the interior of the defensive line the Colts lacked in previous seasons.

He provided strength in the middle.

And athleticism.

And veteran experience.

And size.

But the way Simon sees it, he may have provided a bit too much size, which is a reason he's around the Union Federal Football Center nowadays for the Colts' off-season workout program. A lighter Simon, Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said recently, should mean a better Simon – and a better Colts defense next season.

And Simon couldn't agree more.

"Last year, I came in and I was heavier than I was before," Simon said this week during the first week of the Colts' voluntary off-season workout program.

"I want to get down to my fighting weight and go out there and play defense the way I used to play defense. I kind of took on the role of run-stopper last season just because I was the only one bigger than any offensive linemen.

"This year's a different season and a different time."

Simon, the No. 6 overall selection in the 2000 NFL Draft, played his first five seasons with Philadelphia, becoming a free agent last August when the Eagles removed the franchise tag from him late in the preseason.

"There are a lot fewer distractions than last off-season," Simon said. "There was a lot going on last off-season and I really wasn't able to focus on what I needed to be, because I didn't know where I was going to be.

"Now, I'm secure, happy and it's time to get ready to play football."

The Colts signed Simon immediately after he became a free agent. Despite signing eight days before the season opener, and despite being heavier than he preferred, he immediately provided an inside presence, starting the first 13 games of the season before a late season knee injury.

Simon finished the season with 41 tackles, 31 solos, and although he did not have a sack, he finished with 12 quarterback pressures, a batted pass and a forced fumble.

But Simon said he believes he should be much better next season, and not only because he believes he will be in better shape physically.

"It helps tremendously," Simon said. "I missed a whole off-season, really, of working out with guys. I wasn't part of the team in Philadelphia, so I didn't work out there. Just getting around guys in the off-season, the camaraderie, helps out a lot. It pushes you through some of those tough days that you have in the weight room and on the field. It's just better to be around the guys you're going to battle with.

"Last year really gave me an opportunity to know the defense a little bit. Coming in this year I'm a lot more familiar with what we like to do on defense. We have a lot of great players on defense. I just want to get around the guys, let them see my face, come in and work out and get back to where I'm the player I want to be.

"I'm just trying to get in here and focus on some things this year that will help me in the future."

Simon, who played collegiately at Florida State, worked out in the Eagles' off-season program after his rookie season, then trained in Florida during the seasons after that. He decided to participate in the Colts' off-season program, he said, as much to get further acclimated to Indianapolis' defense and his teammates as to improve physically.

"It's important when you're new to the system, and I'm still new to the system," Simon said. "I got a chance to play in it last year, but the off-season is important. Coming into a system, when you're the new guy to a system, it gives you a chance to see how guys work and what you can do to improve where you are.

"Even after seven years in the league, there's still a lot to learn."

Whether the presence of a player of Simon's status benefits younger players, he said he doesn't know.

"I'm going to be here lending my support however I can," Simon said. "Whether that be talking through experiences, being in the league this long – you make it three years in the league and you've done a good job. You learn a few things. I'm here to lend whatever I can to those guys. We've got a great bunch of young guys and they're going to work hard. That's not a problem.

"But some of the things off the field, some of the things that go on in the off-season, it's different. It's the first off-season having money in their pockets, and it can go quickly if you don't take care of it the right way. I'm just here to try to help these guys however I can."

Returning to Indianapolis for the off-season is a benefit in many ways, Simon said. One is that he is involved in so many off-field activities – several businesses, real estate ventures and his charitable foundation – that the off-season can be as draining as football season.

"I leave the house at 7 or 8 in the morning and I don't get back until 7 or 8 at night," he said. "This gives me more time to spend with my family. I'm away from the business part of it and I'm able to get back to what I do for a living."

But he said the real benefit he wants to see is on the field.

Because while Simon made an impact last season, he said it wasn't near the impact he wanted. While in Philadelphia, he was as well-known for his athleticism and his ability to rush the passer as he was for his physical presence.

He said he wants that status back.

And the off-season program is the place to start getting it.

"There's a whole side of me I don't think Colts fans have seen yet," Simon said. "I was kind of titled that run-stuffer in the middle, but I can do so much more than play the run. The funny thing is, I wasn't always known for that in Philadelphia. It's funny coming here and getting that title. I tried to do whatever I could last year to help this team be successful.

"I'll do the same this year, but hopefully I can add a few different punches to the bag."

Corey in shape before training camp?  ok

[PhillyPhreak54]

His pants were a fire hazard last year from all of that friction.

[Rome]

His pants were a fire hazard last year from all of that friction.

Not to mention all the red beans and rice he was cramming down his neck...

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Well, he can't do much worse than last season.  I just wish he would have been doing the off-season workout program with the Eagles this time last year, the lazy bastich.

[SunMo]

I just wish he would have been doing the off-season workout program with the Eagles this time last year, the lazy bastich.

obviously, he would've if the Eagles would've paid him.  but instead, they have to draft the same need position in the draft two years in a row.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Wipe the tears from your eyes, sunshine.

[SunMo]

no tears, sweetums

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

It's not a need position.  The Eagles are "fine" at DT.  Rayburn is working hard and says he has to be better, Keyonta Marshall will probably unseat Hollis as the resident fat run stuffer, and Mike Patterson p\/\/nZ!!111

That said, does anybody know the status of Darwin Walker?

[Diomedes]

What a load of crap. 

[PhillyGirl]

What a load of crap. 

pun intended, I'm sure.