Spring football may not officially get underway until March 28th, but that does not mean that the coaching staff has not been busy putting players in the spots they see them best fit, including a few new moves this week.
While the informal practices of March are meant to showcase more of the “skill” players and their progressions, Thursday’s practice was highlighted by the move of former offensive lineman Derek Simmons back to defensive tackle.
Simmons, who arrived on the USC campus a highly rated defensive tackle, went through his first day at his old position, a spot which he clearly prefers.
“I’m back on the dark side,” joked Simmons following Thursday’s workout. “It feels good to be back right now.”
The move back to the defensive side of the ball was never out of the equation, although offensive line coach Pat Ruel raved about Simmons’ potential at offensive guard.
When news surfaced this week that Armond Armstead would shift over to strong-side defensive end, the northern California native saw an opportunity open up for him to return “home.”
“It’s been on my mind for a while now,” said Simmons in reference to the change. “I talked to Jethro (Franklin) last week and asked him about it and what he thought about it. He said he’d run it by PC (Pete Carroll) and I guess they decided to let me come back over.
“He moved to strong-side defensive end so I knew it was a great opportunity for me. That was part of my decision, to go back over (to the defense) and show everybody what I have.”
His preference, while still team oriented with his response, clearly showed a player wanting to return back to the defensive side of the ball.
The only hang up to this point, however, came with how he could contribute the earliest.
“I’d rather play either way,” he said on whatever were to get him on the field the quickest. “I’ll play offense or defense, but I prefer defense but if it’s better for me to stay on offense I’ll do whatever the team needs to win.
“I’m a defensive player at heart, and I just wanted to go back to the “d” really.”
With the opening at three technique now well documented, Simmons spoke of his competition and his fervor to approach spring with a new mindset.
A mindset of competing yet again for a starting spot.
“It’s me, Averell (Spicer) and “Juicy” (DaJohn Harris),” he said of the competition at the three-technique position. “Nothing’s really set in stone, but as of now I think that’s what it is.”
“It’s there for the taking for all of us,” he said of the starting position. “We all have the equal opportunity, and the best man is going to win.”
In hindsight, the move to offensive line could be seen as a setback, but after talking to Simmons, he clearly does not view the situation in that light.
“Actually I think it was,” answered Simmons when asked if his time spent at guard was valuable to him now as he transitions back. “I’m taking the positive out of it, and I think it was a great experience.”
As far as what he took away from his experience with the offensive linemen?
“I learned a lot more about the offense so it can only help me on defense,” he said of his stint at guard. “Just as far as techniques, what to expect out of certain formations, so I think its only going to help me on the defensive side.
“Plus working out with the offensive linemen I got a lot stronger.”
