A look at Simoneau compared to all other NFL starting inside linebackers {merged} (1 Viewer)

[dbg]

Let's put Simoneau's 70 tackles in 16 starts in perspective. Of the 24 teams that play a 3-4 defense, only one other starting MLB had less than 100 tackles - Arizona's Gerald Hayes who had 98 tackles. (Three teams - JAC, MIA, and TENN - had significant injuries at the MLB position, however, the MLB's of those teams combined for 101, 130, and 99 tackles).

The average number of tackles for a starting MLB was 111.5 tackles. That's 41.5 tackles more than Simoneau.

I listed all inside linebackers for comparison. Patrick WIllis is a tackling machine. Mark Simoneau is a reserve on any other team.

Patrick Willis SF ILB 174 (played/started 16 games)
D.J. Williams DEN MLB 141 (played/started 16 games)
Jonathan Beason CAR MLB 140 (played/started 16 games)
Nick Barnett GB MLB 131 (played/started 16 games)
London Fletcher WAS MLB 128 (played/started 16 games)
DeMeco Ryans HOU MLB 128 (played/started 16 games)
David Harris NYJ ILB 127 (played in 16 - started 9 games)
Brian Urlacher CHI MLB 123 (played/started 16 games)
Ray Lewis BAL ILB 120 (played/started 14 games)
Kirk Morrison OAK MLB 120 (played/started 16 games)
E.J. Henderson MIN MLB 118 (played/started 16 games)
Paris Lenon DET MLB 118 (played/started 16 games)
Gary Brackett IND MLB 116 (played/started 16 games)
Napoleon Harris KC MLB 116 (played in 16 - started 14 games)
Barrett Ruud TB MLB 114 (played/started 15 games)
John DiGiorgio BUF MLB 113 (played in 16 - started 14 games)
Keith Brooking ATL MLB 110 (played/started 16 games)
Will Witherspoon STL MLB 110 (played/started 16 games)
Lofa Tatupu SEA MLB 109 (played/started 16 games)
Landon Johnson CIN MLB 109 (played/started 16 games)
Stephen Cooper SD ILB 108 (played/started 16 games)
Antonio Pierce NYG MLB 103 (played/started 16 games)
Omar Gaither PHI MLB 102 (played/started 16 games)
D'Qwell Jackson CLE ILB 101 (played in 14 - started 13 games)
Bradie James DAL ILB 101 (played/started 16 games)
Gerald Hayes ARI MLB 98 (played/started 16 games)
Matt Wilhelm SD ILB 97 (played/started 14 games)
Scott Fujita NO OLB 95
James Farrior PIT ILB 94 (played/started 16 games)
Bart Scott BAL ILB 93 (played/started 16 games)
Tedy Bruschi NE ILB 92 (played/started 16 games)
Leon Williams CLE ILB 85 (played in 16 - started 9 games)
Larry Foote PIT ILB 81 (played/started 16 games)
Derek M. Smith SF ILB 78 (played in 15 - started 14 games
Adalius Thomas NE ILB 78 (played in 16 - started 15 games)
Channing Crowder MIA MLB 87 (played in 11 - started 10 games)
Junior Seau NE ILB 74 (played in 16 - started 4 games)
Eric Barton NYJ ILB 73 (played in 16 - started 15 games)
Mike Peterson JAC MLB 70 (played/started 10 games)
Mark Simoneau NO MLB 70 (played/started 16 games)
Scott Shanle NO OLB 68
Andra Davis CLE ILB 67 (played in 16 - started 10 games)
Akin Ayodele DAL ILB 57 (played in 16 games - started 14)
Ryan Fowler TEN MLB 54 (played/started 14 games)
Zach Thomas MIA MLB 52 (played/started 5 games)
Stephen Tulloch TEN MLB 45 (played in 16 - started 1 game)
Jonathan Vilma NYJ ILB 43 (played/started 7 games)
Brian Iwuh JAC MLB 31 (played in 16 - started 1 game)

 

[canuckredux]

24 teams play a 3-4? Come again? You mean 4-3? I count 9 teams that run a 3-4:

New England
NYJ
Miami (part-time)
Pittsburgh
Cleveland
San Diego
Dallas
Arizona (part-time)
SF

 

[kr29]

He doesn't make at least half of the other teams in the league
Simoneau=Pathetic

 

[fr3sh]

I've stated this before and I'll say it again: Simoneau is one of the worst starters in the LEAGUE.

 

[Saint Droopy]

He had 66 tackles last year... so a Patrick Willis had more in one year did he has in 2...

 

[CitySaint]

Who did we have starting before Simoneau came here? Were any of the Haslett Mlb's better than him? Clemmons maybe? He isn't as bad as people make him out to be. The guy isn't a starter but would be a serviceable backup.

 

[Saint Droopy]

Who did we have starting before Simoneau came here? Were any of the Haslett Mlb's better than him? Clemmons maybe? He isn't as bad as people make him out to be. The guy isn't a starter but would be a serviceable backup.

Ronald McKinnon... he was actually a tackling machine...

 

[canuckredux]

Let's sign DeMorrio Williams. He has a nose for the ball not seen since Charlie Clemons' beastly 2001 season.

 

[sykobob671]

nice post. i would also like to see the numbers for Grant and Smith and see how they compare.Does the fact that we were thrown at so much have any effect on the stats? Myself and others like me on the board really appreciate this kind of info...

 

[bigno]

He isn't as bad as people make him out to be. .

Yes he is. Zach Thomas has almost just as many tackles in just 5 games as him and Shanle.. That is bad 2 me...But I would agree with you he could be a serviceable back up if he were a good ST player but he is not so.... NOT...GO SAINTS....

 

[fr3sh]

He isn't as bad as people make him out to be.

Name one thing he is good at, besides being terrible.

 

[Jackavelli]

Who did we have starting before Simoneau came here? Were any of the Haslett Mlb's better than him? Clemmons maybe? He isn't as bad as people make him out to be. The guy isn't a starter but would be a serviceable backup.

you said a mouth full. the problem with him and over half our defense is they are serviceable backups but we have them as starters.

 

[Saintsphere]

You don't need numbers like this to show how inadequate Simoneau is, the game tape shows that enough.

 

[CitySaint]

Always in position to never make the play pretty much sums it up.

 

[St. PJ]

If he plays that poorly, can you imagine how much worse Simmons would be. He must have been ultra washed up for the coaches to keep him on the sideline. The front office tried hard to bring in better veterns, they just choose to sign elsewhere. No use breaking the bank unless it is for a bonafied playmaker. Only point I can make is maybe the Saints should have drafted David Harris. Hopefully they can make a deal for Vilma. I remember they wanted to draft him and he is better suited to play the 4-3 defense anyways.