The Arizona Cardinals didn’t necessarily need to add a linebacker during the 2024 NFL Draft, but it didn’t stop them from selecting Cody Simon. The longtime Ohio State standout got a full-time opportunity to shine last season and didn’t disappoint within All-Big Ten Conference season.
Simon played with an edge in his final collegiate season and as a player after serving in a reserve/heavy rotational roll. He would go on to lead the Buckeyes to a CFP National Championship win and even walked away with the game’s defensive MVP award.
There’s plenty to like here with Simon, who has aged like a fine wine in Columbus after choosing to stick it out with the program instead of entering the transfer portal. Now that he’s in the pros, he has a chance to get even better.
We know how Arizona feels about the linebacker position, but perhaps Simon can change that narrative a bit and force the Cardinals into committing to a guy full-time.
Simon is clearly a player who was given the time of day to develop. By the time he was a full-time starter and leader of the defense last season, you could see all of the work he put in on and off the field finally pay off.
The veteran Ohio State linebacker operates in the middle of the field with confidence and can set up his teammates to complete their assignments. Simon is also an aggressive run defender who can move up and down the field and get to the ball carrier quickly and efficiently.
One area where Simon struggled was pass coverage, and he’ll need to do some polishing in that department.
But as a whole, Simon has shown enough to prove he deserves a spot on the field and not just as a role player. With next level coaching, he will be able to unlock his best possible self.
Predicting a role for Simon in year one for Arizona isn’t as cut and dry as you would prefer. The team loves to rotate their linebackers, and there isn’t one guy in the room who should command a lion’s share of snaps.
This opens up a perfect opportunity for Simon to get on the field right away. However, it is a double edge sword as it will be hard for Simon to stay on the field, too.
The best chance for Simon to get on the field as often as he would like? He should put his focus into being a great special team player. It’s an easy opportunity for a player of his caliber and once he’s earned the trust of the coaching staff, he will find more playing time on defense.
I think Simon will one day be a full-time starter at linebacker for the Cardinals, but it could take a little bit longer than we may prefer.
The 2026 Arizona Legacy Races in Buckeye, Ariz., are ringing in a new year for futurity horses December 30 – January 6, at the Buckeye Equestrian & Events Center. Formerly known as the MVP Futurity and Greg Olson Futurity, these two races have been a staple in many professional trainers’ schedules for decades. This year, the two events boast $22,000 in added money.
Linzie Lindsey and Fame Dancin Yola claimed the Round 1 win with a 17.577 for $1,959. Barbara Merrill rode TKW Eye Am Tess to the 2D win.
After finishing out of the 1D money in Round 1, Loralee Ward and Dark Honey ran the fastest time of the futurity with a 17.030 to claim the Round 2 win. The duo also earned the Futurity Reserve Championship for $1,652.
Lindsey and Fame Dancin Yola finished second in Round 2 with a 17.164, adding $1,603 to their futurity earnings and claiming the Futurity Championship for another $2,019.
Jenna Duhon and PMC AintSheBeautiful earned the Round 2 2D win. In the 2D Average, it was Estella Martin and Quanahs Kingdom claiming the win.
Round 1 of a very tough Derby went to Jana Bean and Feature This Goodbye with a 17.268. 2025 futurity standout Blissful Version and Lora Nichols finished second in Round 1 with a 17.282, won Round 2 with a 17.032, and claimed the Average win.
“Buddy” and Nichols were in contention for the highest money-earning futurity horse of the previous season, before the cancellation of the last two major events of the season due to EHV-1. By $7 million sire Winners Version, Buddy banked over $300,000 in his futurity year.
Megan McLeod-Sprague and Seis Corona (“Jagger”) were hot off the 2025 National Finals Rodeo. The duo won the Roohide Hot Rod with a 17.004 for $1,368. They also earned the Friday Open 1D win for $1,083.
With the first 16-second run of the weekend, Sherry Cervi and MP Meter My Fame won the Saturday Open 1D with a 16.969.
Rita Cheeney and HP Dash Ta Fairfax ran the only other sub-17-second run of the weekend, with a 16.996 that took the top spot in Sunday’s Open 1D.
Nichols and Buddy doubled down on their derby earnings, placing deep in the Open 1D both days, as well as the Roohide Hot Rod, and Big Time Boss.
Youth competitor Tabitha Dyal also had an outstanding weekend, earning Open 1D money Friday, Saturday, and Sunday aboard Slym Shady. She swept the Youth 1D on Slym Shady and earned Open 1D, Open 2D, and Youth 1D checks on Promise Me Fame Guys and Smooth Operraider. Dyal wrapped up her weekend with several checks in the Big Time Boss.
Authorities say a prominent California agriculture heir is accused of traveling to Arizona to kill his estranged wife amid a bitter divorce, a case now drawing national attention for its cross-state trail and high-profile ties.
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On today’s Digital Pregame Show presented by Little Caesars, J.B Long, D’Marco Farr, and Maurice Jones-Drew preview the Los Angeles Rams’ Week 18 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. The trio discuss key players to watch, game predictions, and more. Tune in for kickoff at 1:25pm PT on FOX.
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