ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals’ Isaiah Simmons intent on proving he’s the best guy on the field

Sep 23, 2022, 11:41 AM | Updated: 11:42 am
Arizona Cardinals star backer Isaiah Simmons chats with Marco Wilson during practice on Friday, Sep...
Arizona Cardinals star backer Isaiah Simmons chats with Marco Wilson during practice on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)
(Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

TEMPE — It’s been quite the start to the season for Arizona Cardinals star backer Isaiah Simmons.

After seeing his number called on nearly every play in Week 1 — in addition to relaying the defense — Simmons saw just 15 snaps come his way this past Sunday.

Despite the limited reps, Simmons still impacted the game’s outcome in a big way, highlighted by his forced fumble in overtime that was returned for the game-winning touchdown.

But for a player that had been touted as one of Arizona’s best weapons defensively this offseason, the lack of playing time in Week 2 was beyond glaring.

And no matter the reasoning, be it a demotion over practice habits or just how the game plan shook out, the sudden change didn’t have Simmons feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

Instead of sulking in the corner of the locker room, though, Simmons is looking ahead for his next chance to shine.

“No doubt (I was upset with the snap count),” he said Friday. “It was definitely frustrating. … The NFL’s really been like my first time not being out there 100% of the time, so it’s definitely difficult at times. But I always just keep in mind that my opportunity is going to come and when I do get in there, just make it evident that I should be in there.

“I go out there every day and give everything I got every play, in practice and in the games,” the star backer added. “That’s really just left up to the coaches based on how they evaluated me.”

From what Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph have said over the course of practice this week, Simmons is responding to the benching at practice and in the meeting rooms.

With the Los Angeles Rams coming to town, Arizona will need everything it can get out of the star backer, whether that’s 15 plays or 60.

“I believe the coaches are trying to make the choices that are best for the team, so I just got to go out there and show that I’m the best guy out there every time,” Simmons said.

“That’s my mentality. Every time I’m on that field, show everybody that I’m the best player on the field.”

Arizona Cardinals CB Trayvon Mullen runs through drills during practice on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals star backer Isaiah Simmons chats with Marco Wilson during practice on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals TE Trey McBride warms up ahead of practice on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals CB Trayvon Mullen runs through drills during practice on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals CB Byron Murphy Jr. runs through drills during practice on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner warms up ahead of practice on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals OL Lecitus Smith warms up ahead of practice on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals WR Greg Dortch runs through drills during practice on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals WR Hollywood Brown runs through drills during practice on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury looks on during practice on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray looks on during practice on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals S Budda Baker runs through drills during practice on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals CB Jace Whittaker runs through drills during practice on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals WR Javon Wims runs through drills during practice on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker and quarterback Kyler Murray joke around during practice on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker and quarterback Kyler Murray joke around during practice on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals star backer Isaiah Simmons looks on during practice on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner warms up ahead of practice on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals WR Greg Dortch warms up ahead of practice on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals WR Javon Wims warms up ahead of practice on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals WR Stanley Berryhill warms up ahead of practice on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals WR Stanley Berryhill warms up ahead of practice on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals DL Andrew Brown runs through drills during practice on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals DL Andrew Brown runs through drills during practice on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals DL Zach Allen runs through drills during practice on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals DL Rashard Lawrence runs through drills during practice on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals DL Zach Allen runs through drills during practice on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals DL Michael Dogbe runs through drills during practice on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals DL Antwaun Woods runs through drills during practice on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals DL Antwaun Woods runs through drills during practice on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Tempe. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

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