Rookie defensive tackle Pat Sims made his NFL debut on Sunday, and we were granted access to the Bengals film session on Monday. Here is a look at how things went:
SCENE: Meeting Rooms at Paul Brown Stadium. Defense is watching film together with head coach Marvin Lewis. The room is dark, and there is snoring heard around the room. Coach Lewis cannot hear it because he is focused intently on the film being shown.
Marvin Lewis: Dammit, Pat (Sims), you were in the Jets backfield on that play.
Pat Sims: (looking confused) yeah coach, i was.
(another play is shown and Sims again bursts through the line)
ML: God Dammit, Pat!! You were in the backfield again on that play!
PS: Yeah coach, but...
ML: No buts. You know that our defensive scheme calls for the tackles to be driven back at least three yards. You are fucking up the entire defense when you are in the backfield like that. Haven't you been watching John at all this season?? John, please explain to Pat his role as a defensive tackle again.
John Thornton: Yeah coach. I try to stand straight up so it is easier
for the offensive lineman to push me back. This helps me get to the three yard depth we are looking for. Once I have achieved that depth, I either continue getting pushed backwards, or I fall on my ass, either technique is acceptable.ML: Exactly! John I sure hope you heal up quickly, I don't know how much more of these young guys I can take!
(tape continues.....Sims makes a tackle in the backfield......Lewis jumps up from his seat and throws his clipboard on the floor.)
ML: Jesus Christ! That makes five tackles and a quarterback pressure in limited action Pat!
PS: Thanks coach.
ML: That wasn't a fucking compliment. We are not looking for selfish players on this team. If you would have played the entire game you might have had 8 tackles or more. Who ever heard of that?? Our defensive tackles are not supposed to make plays. How on earth are Rashad (Jeanty) and Dhani (Jones) supposed to get their tackles if you are making them? I've dealt with your type before. You young guys think its cool to burst through the line and disrupt the other team's offense. You ever heard of Shaun Smith and Langston Moore?
PS: I know who they are.
ML: Well those guys thought it was cool to do their own thing instead of getting pancaked like the plays called for, and they found themselves looking for work elsewhere. You have to learn to be more of a team player, right John?
JT: That's right coach. How do you think Landon Johnson was able to lead this team in tackles for multiple seasons? It took a lot of hard work by me to make sure I left all of the tackling up to Landon. I just focused my energy on going backwards and falling on my ass. If at the end of the day I had grass stains on my ass and cleat marks on my chest, I knew I had done my job.
ML: You listen to him Pat. John has been to a Super Bowl, isn't that right John?
JT: You got it coach. I led the Titans to the Super Bowl, and I almost got us a victory, but the rest of the team let me down. Take it from me kid, you are only doing your job well if you are moving backwards.
(Sims looks puzzled. Everything he has just heard is the opposite of what he has been taught his whole life.)
(the tape continues rolling....Chinedum Ndukwe is shown flying around, making a tackle...Lewis again pauses the tape.)
ML: Chinny, what was that?
CN: A tackle, coach?
ML: Yes it was, but why on earth are you the one making it??
CN: I thought that it was my job to make tackles.
ML: There's your problem. You thought wrong! I don't think there is any play in our defense that has the safeties flying around like that, is there Dexter?
Dexter Jackson: (looking up from polishing his Super Bowl Ring) No coach. I try and act like my feet are in quicksand, or like they are stuck in cement. This helps me to stay in one place while all of the action goes right past me.
ML: Perfect! I hope you are taking notes Chinny. If you are flying around making tackles, then who is standing still, holding their position?
CN: My bad, coach.
ML: Its ok, you are still young. Just keep learning from a vet like Dexter. Dexter was a Super Bowl MVP, right?
DJ: That's right! I led the Bucs to a win over the Raiders. Everyone remembers my interceptions from that game. What people forget is that I played along side Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber, and John Lynch. They also forget that we were playing Coach Gruden's old team and that the defense knew almost every play the Raiders ran. I did not have to do anything. I just went where the coaches put me and Rich Gannon threw the ball right to me. Still, I have been milking that one game throughout my career. I even got Mike Brown to overpay for me even though no one else was showing any interest in signing me. Still, it was a smart move by Mr. Brown. He saves money by overpaying for a free agent no one wants, and he can still spin it by pointing to my Super Bowl MVP and the fact that he paid more than I wanted. This is still cheaper than going after a quality free agent that multiple teams want. Why get in a bidding war over a good player when you can have DJ?
ML: A Super Bowl MVP and a savvy businessman.
DJ: Don't forget that I can also talk a lot or trash with the other sideline while play on the field is going on!
(Lewis, Jackson, and Thornton all laugh hysterically. Marvin is giggling like a Monday press conference).
(tape continues....Marvin White is shown picking off a Brett Favre pass.)
ML: Marvin, what are you doing here?
Marvin White: Well, coach, I had man coverage, and I picked up my man and made a play on the ball.
ML: But why isn't your man behind you?
MW: I thought I was supposed to make sure that no one got behind me. I thought that the safeties are the last line of defense.
ML:(throwing hands in air in exasperation) Dexter, please teach the youngster.
DJ: Again, as a safety, you need to pretend like you are stuck in quicksand. This will make sure that your guy gets behind you. You always want to be between the ball and your receiver.
MW: That doesn't make any sense.
DJ: (flashing his Super Bowl Ring at White) Sure it does. How are you supposed to pick off any passes if you are behind your guy?
MW: But won't I get burned for touchdowns all the time playing like that?
DJ: Hey, that's just the way it goes sometimes.
MW: Man, I still have a lot to learn.
ML: Its ok, Marvin. Just stick close to Dexter and you will go far. One last thing Dexter. Should you ever be in a position to scoop up a fumble like Chinny did last week?
DJ: Hell no, coach. I never go across the line of scrimmage. Even if I am supposed to be blitzing, I like to hang around the line of scrimmage and just kind of scope things out. This way I make sure I don't get in anyone else's way.
ML: Spoken like a true champion. Did you catch that Chinny and Marvin?
CN & MW: Yes coach.
ML: Very good. John and Dexter I really need you guys to heal up quickly. I don't know how much more of these young guns I can take. All of their hustle and play making is screwing up our defensive system. Pat, maybe you know why you have been inactive until last week.
PS: I got it coach.
ML: (raising the lights and standing up) OK guys, lets get out to practice. We are 0-6 and have the Steelers this week. We are very close to being a good team. Just make sure that no one tries too hard, and certainly make sure to do no more than your assignment calls for. You got it, knuckleheads? (looking at Sims and Chinny)
PS & CN: (smiling sheepishly) we got it, coach!
ML: All right, well lets go get em!
(Everyone puts on their equipment and begins heading out to the practice field. Thornton stops Sims on the way out.)
JT: (handing Sims some kind of padded equipment) Here you go kid. This is my ass pad. It really helps me out when I am out there. I have no worries of getting knocked on my ass when I am wearing this. It is my secret weapon.
PS: (nodding his head) Wow, thanks a lot John. I can learn so much from you.
JT: Just take it one day at a time, kid. Stick with me and you will have a bright future ahead of you.
(Sims straps on his ass pad and heads out to practice as yet another young defensive tackle is ruined by the Bengals.)
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