Simmons' career in Steeltown was steady, yet unremarkable. As a first round pick, one could say that he underachieved, given the history of other recent Steeler first rounders. I will point out that during his rookie year, in a Wild Card game against the Browns, Simmons did throw a key block on a crucial touchdown run. In the defense of the Auburn product, the affliction with adult diabetes in 2003 more than likely tied a hefty anchor around his ankle, preventing him from ever attaining greatness.
Our last memory of Simmons
With Simmons' departure, the team is now left with just the overachieving yet underqualified Darnell Stapleton as the only experienced guard under contract. At this point we must make a few assumptions: 1) the James Harrison contract is coming along, yet at a steep price 2) the team is actually working hard towards retaining big man, Chris Kemoeatu 3) the Jeff Saturday rumors may be legit 4) Kevin Colbert fully intends upon drafting a guard in the first round 5) plans are being made to convert a current roster tackle to guard (Willie Colon ??) 6) Bruce Arians plans on fielding lots of death threats this year as the run game manages to actually get worse. I'm guessing a combination of #1, 2, and #4...and maybe a bit of #6.
One last note on Simmons before we let him vanish into the mist of Steeler history...let's never, ever forget that he made the all dumbass team for suffering from frostbite after falling asleep with an ice pack on his foot. Hopefully, wherever Kendall and his sore feet re-surface, the ice packs will all have timers and alarms.
