The Indianapolis Colts need help at safety. Justin Simmons, one of the NFL’s best players at the position, is currently a free agent. With that said, a Simmons-to-Indy scenario just makes a ton of sense.

Surprisingly, Simmons is still available. After the Denver Broncos released him in March, you would think he would’ve signed with another team by now. But obviously, that hasn’t happened yet. Justin Simmons is an immensely talented Pro-Bowler who could immediately upgrade the Colts secondary.

Indianapolis Colts Need to Land Free Agent Safety Justin Simmons

Justin Simmons’ Football Career

After playing his college ball at Boston College, Justin Simmons was selected by the Broncos in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He went on to have an astounding eight-year career in Denver. Simmons earned two Pro Bowl nods and was named a four-time Associated Press second-team All-Pro. He also earned an NFL Top 100 selection three times. In addition, he was a three-time nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.

Justin Simmons had several outstanding plays during his time with the Broncos. He came up with game-winning interceptions versus the Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders in 2017, the Miami Dolphins in 2020, and the Washington Commanders during the 2021 season. Perhaps his most memorable play came in 2016 when he blocked an extra point against the New Orleans Saints. Fellow safety Will Parks ultimately returned it as Denver won the game.

Simmons is the league’s only player to record at least three interceptions in each of the past six seasons. He tied for the NFL lead in interceptions during the 2022 season.

2023 was a Pro Bowl campaign for Simmons. The Florida native produced 70 tackles, three interceptions, eight passes defended, two forced fumbles, and a sack.

Why Indianapolis Should Sign Him

The Colts selected a pair of designated safeties (Jaylon Carlies and Jaylin Simpson) in the fifth round of this year’s draft. However, both players are moving to different positions. Carlies will play linebacker while Simpson switches to cornerback. Therefore, the Colts really didn’t address the safety position via the draft.

Indianapolis did re-sign Julian Blackmon this offseason, though. While he’s guaranteed to start at strong safety, the free safety spot is up for grabs. Daniel Scott, who was competing for a starting spot, suffered a season-ending injury this spring for the second consecutive year.

Simmons would be perfect for the job. Although he’s 30 years old, he hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. He and Blackmon could form a dynamic one-two punch this upcoming season. Plus, Simmons could mentor Indy’s young safeties like 22-year-old Nick Cross.

After signing all nine of their draft picks, the Colts currently have about $25 million in cap space. That means they have enough money to sign Simmons, whose expected salary is roughly $11 million.

It’s unclear whether Colts general manager Chris Ballard will add a veteran safety this offseason or rely on young players like Cross and Rodney Thomas II. But if he chooses to go that route, Justin Simmons needs to be the guy.

Main Photo Credit: Syndication: The Indianapolis Star

INDIANAPOLIS – Some of the best swimmers in the world will soon jump off the starting block. And at the end, 52 swimmers will make Team USA and head to Paris.

But it all started with a big party Friday night in downtown Indy.

“It’s great. Just the atmosphere is crazy – like the Eiffel Tower and stuff,” said Luke Tysdal, a fan from Texas.

The Circle City is once again on the world stage, bringing Team USA fans from far and wide up close to Olympic hopefuls.

“We went to the trials three years ago in Omaha and he’s a swimmer so he’s already gotten a few pictures and autographs,” said Deanna Tysdal.

Indiana Sports Corp. estimates the city will see about 200,000 visitors over the next nine days of swimming trials, and what better way to welcome them than with a “starting block party?”

“We want to go above and beyond, show them how Indianapolis takes events to the next level, and get things started with a bang,” said Sam Reel with Indiana Sports Corp.

Just below the 66-foot Eiffel Tower replica at the intersection of Georgia Street and Capitol Avenue, you’ll find a unique, swim-themed mural made of artificial turf – a fitting complement to the very first Olympic pool inside an NFL stadium.

“I think it’s only appropriate that a hundred years ago, the swimming trials were held in Broad Ripple pool here in Indianapolis, and the 1924 Olympics were in Paris, France,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said. “So a hundred years later, we’re recreating the same thing.”

It’s been a big year for sports in Indianapolis so far, one that Mayor Joe Hogsett hopes will further propel the city’s reputation forward.

“I don’t think it’s overstating it to say that we’re on the verge of becoming the world’s sports capital,” Hogsett added.

The rest of the country, at least, is taking notice.

“You’ve got Caitlin Clark here. The Pacers have a great legacy here. The Colts do as well,” said Luke Martens, who traveled from Chicago for the swimming trials. “It’s such a great sports city, probably one of the top five, top ten in America.”

It’s welcome excitement for longtime Hoosiers too.

“Anything that brings more interest and attention to the city, in a positive light, is great,” said Indianapolis resident Cory Sullivan.

Indiana Sports Corp. said tickets are still available and they’re hoping to fill the stadium every day until all 52 Team USA swimmers are named.

“I’m looking forward to the nail-biting finishes. I’m looking forward to people dropping American records, maybe even world records, we’ll just have to see,” Martens added.

SWIMMING

Numerous local swimmers are competing in the U.S. Olympic Trials, which start Saturday in a pool constructed inside Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.

In the women’s 100-meter butterfly Saturday, two swimmers from Virginia Beach and Tide Swimming will compete. The University of Georgia’s Callie Dickinson is seeded 24th and Nikki Venema 36th, according to the “psych sheet.”

Dickinson, from Norfolk Academy, is in her third trials, while Venema, a former Kellam High and Princeton standout who will use her final year of eligibility with Northwestern, is in her second.

Stanford teammates Kayla Wilson and Samantha Tadder, Maddy Hartley, Sophia Knapp of national champion Virginia and Virginia Tech’s Emily Claesson are set to compete later in the week, as is the Florida Gators’ Bobby DiNunzio. Hartley has transferred from Arkansas to Kentucky. All are representing Tide Swimming.

LOCAL BASEBALL

Yard Gnomes knock Pilots out of East lead

The last-place Greenville Yard Gnomes cooled off the Peninsula Pilots on Thursday night, beating them 5-0 at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton.

Henry Garcia had two of the four hits by the Pilots (11-6), and Cam Pittman drew two walks. Their second consecutive loss dropped them into second place in the Coastal Plain League’s seven-team East Division, behind the Morehead City Marlins (10-5).

Greenville’s Matthew Jenkins pitched the first four innings, winner Charlie Horne threw the next 2 2/3, and Andrew Hanson, Cole Kenyon and Todd Kniebe completed the shutout. Greenville pitchers struck out 13.

Meanwhile, Yard Gnomes catcher Grayson Ashe was 3 for 3, needing only a triple for the cycle, and scored three runs for Greenville (4-13). Gage Griggs was 2 for 3 with two RBIs, and Jack Herring was 3 for 5 with a solo home run.

Longtime Pilot Trey Morgan, VMI’s all-time leader in games played, took the loss. He gave up seven hits and three runs (two earned) in 3 2/3 innings, walking four and striking out four.

The Pilots were to play Friday night in Colonial Heights against the Tri-City Chili Peppers.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

ODU LB Henderson named Preseason All-American

Old Dominion linebacker Jason Henderson was named a Preseason All-American in Phil Steele’s preview magazine.

Six Old Dominion players were named to the Athlon and Phil Steele preseason All-Sun Belt teams, the magazines recently announced.

Linebacker Jason Henderson earned first-team honors by both magazines and was named a preseason first-team All-American by Phil Steele. Defensive tackle Denzel Lowry earned first-team honors by Athlon and second-team from Phil Steele.

Tight end Jalen Butler was named to the fourth team by Phil Steele, while offensive lineman Santana Saunders earned fourth-team honors from both organizations. Isiah Paige earned fourth-team honors as a punt returner by Phil Steele and third-team by Athlon, and was a fourth-team wide receiver by Athlon. Incoming transfer Patrick Smith-Young received fourth-team honors from Athlon at defensive back.

Eleven James Madison players were named to Phil Steele’s selection, including first-team punter Ryan Hanson.

JMU’s second-team Phil Steele honorees were running back Ayo Adeyi, defensive lineman Eric O’Neill, linebacker Jacob Dobbs and cornerback Chauncey Logan.

The third-teamers were receiver Cam Ross, offensive linemen Cole Potts and Pat McMurtrie and long snapper Logan Ketcham, while Washington transfer quarterback Dylan Morris and linebacker Taurus Jones garnered fourth-team distinction.

COLLEGES

Tribe hires key staff member

William & Mary athletic director Brian Mann announced the hiring of Andy Rowdon as the Tribe’s executive associate athletics director for external operations, effective July 10.

Rowdon will oversee brand management, marketing, media relations, broadcasts and streaming, donor and fan experience, creative services, and ticketing and sales. He has spent the last seven years in a similar role at Eastern Michigan.

A Fredericksburg native who graduated from Virginia Tech in 2002, he was the assistant athletic director for marketing at Old Dominion in 2011-12.

Old Dominion’s athletic department finished ninth in the nation in community service hours (7,645), as announced by the organization Helper Helper.

COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL

Knee injury forces UVA guard to miss season

Virginia coach Tony Bennett announced that sophomore Elijah Gertrude will miss the 2024-25 season.

Gertrude injured his right knee in a scooter accident April 30. He underwent successful surgery to repair the knee May 17.

Gertrude, a 6-4, 185-pound guard, averaged 3.4 points and 1.2 rebounds in 16 games last season.

W&M adds guard

Guard Luke Kinkade, a 6-foot-2 guard from Neuqua Valley, Illinois, has signed with William & Mary as a preferred walk-on, according to Verbal Commits. The left-hander averaged 14.3 points for the Breakaway team on the Under Armour circuit last summer and frequently takes 3-pointers.

COLLEGE BASEBALL

Tribe’s Knowles makes A-A third team

William & Mary junior pitcher Nate Knowles’ latest honor was being chosen to the ABCA/Rawlings All-America third team. He compiled an 8-3 record while ranking ninth nationally with a 2.48 ERA.

COLLEGE WOMEN’S SOCCER

ODU hires graduate assistant

Old Dominion coach Angie Hind completed her staff with the announcement of Hope Stacker as a graduate assistant coach.
Stacker will be the primary goalkeeper coach. She was a three-time NAIA All-American selection for Indiana Wesleyan, where she set a school record with a 0.879 goals-against average.