Five burning questions with Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons
Jun 5, 2019, 7:08 AM | Updated: 7:10 am
As mandatory minicamp rolls on at UCHealth Training Center, the prospects of an exciting Denver Broncos season continue to grow, especially from the defensive perspective.
New head coach Vic Fangio and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell have Broncos Country buzzing about what this defense could look like, given the talent on the roster and their collective resumes.
Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan was able to catch up with fourth-year safety Justin Simmons this week during teammate Von Miller’s “Celebrity Bowling Bash” to benefit his charity Von’s Vision. Here’s how he weighed in on the upcoming season:
Digital content producer Johnny Hart: Isaac Yiadom followed your path from Boston College to the Denver Broncos. Explain your relationship with him and what’s next for him in his second year in the NFL.
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons: He’s like a little brother to me. I think he was two years behind me, I’m pretty sure. I just remember when he was coming in, I actually was like his host for his official visit. And it’s just been crazy to see time flying. And now he gets drafted in the third round to Denver. I was drafted in the third round to Denver. So, it’s just crazy to see how all things work together and come together. He’s been great. And like I said, he’s a smart guy. He works really hard. I’m really excited for him, especially for this upcoming year. But, he’s just been absolutely great. He’s played great. He’s handled adversity great. So, I’m just excited to see what he’s going to do in the upcoming year.
Hart: With Ed Donatell coming in as defensive coordinator and Vic Fangio as head coach, how excited are you to play in this Broncos defense?
Simmons: I mean, beyond excited. I can even really put it into words. You know, seeing coach Donatell and coach Fangio’s resume in terms of safety play alone, if that doesn’t get the hairs on your arm standing up, I don’t know what will, you know, as a safety. To get my hands on this defense and to put a mark as my own on this defense, it’s huge. I couldn’t be more excited. It’s a great way to go into your contract to have guys like that in your corner and rooting for you. And I’m just excited.
Hart: Is there any trepidation heading into your contract year?
Simmons: No no no. Not at all. I think that there’s always that voice of doubt I think everyone would agree with. But, when it comes to playing football, I mean it’s all preparation and how much work you put in. So, you should be as confident as anyone out there on the field when you know how much work you put in, how much preparation you put in. You know, I think the great thing about it, too, that not a lot of people talk about is when you’re out there playing football, especially on defense, it’s not necessarily a one-man show. And I think we have a great group, especially a defensive group, that’s going to help each other out big time. As much as I want to selfishly have a great year, selflessly I just want to see us do well and make it to the postseason and push our chances to bring back a championship here.
Hart: This defense, how special can it be?
Simmons: As special as the top defense in the league. I think the talent is there across the board. At every level of the defense. D-line, outside linebackers, inside linebacker, corners, safeties. I just think we have all the right tools. I think the overarching factor of it all is the coaching staff. They’ve been to so many different places that you’ve seen their resume build at each place that they’ve been to. And, historically, Denver’s been a great defense. So, to have them here and just to add on top of what’s already been built here is going to be huge. Obviously, that’s no promises because every defense, for the most part, starts the year as saying they could be the No. 1 defense. But, it’s just going to have to show in our play. And I’m super confident in the way that things have been going, and I can’t wait to see the season unfold, especially defensively in front of us.
Hard: In talking to fellow safety Will Parks earlier, he said he’s the best bowler here (at Von Miller’s “Celebrity Bowling Bash” to benefit his charity Von’s Vision). Do you have a response to that?
Simmons: I mean, if we were talking like basketball, pop-a-shot, any arcade game, even laser tag, I would have to immediately interject and say, ‘Heck no.’ But bowling? I mean, it’s not my strong suit. So I can’t disagree. I’m not going to agree, but I can’t back it up as confidently as I want to because I am a terrible bowler. However, Von bowled a 166 without trying. So, I think I can confidently say (Parks) is not the best bowler here.
