Green Light with Chris Long - Jeffery Simmons Talks Titans, Being the NFL's Scariest Player & Fishing with Cam Ward

Episode Date: August 27, 2025

Tennessee Titans' Jeffery Simmons joins Chris Long at Titans training camp and talks Titans outlook for this season, his favorite pass rush moves and always bringing the energy to the defense, his elite trash talk, and taking Cam Ward fishing. Jeff also covers the toughest OLineman in the NFL and his battles with Quenton Nelson of the Indianapolis Colts. Have some interesting takes, some codebreaks or just want to talk to the Green Light Crew? We want to hear from you. Call into the Green Light Hotline and give us your hottest takes, your biggest gripes and general thoughts. Day and night, this hotline is open. Green Light Hotline: ‪[phone]‬ Also, check out our paddling partners at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Appomattox River Company ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to get your canoes, kayaks and paddleboards so you're set to hit the river this summer. Green Light's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where you can catch all the latest GL action: Green Light with Chris Long: Subscribe and enjoy weekly content including podcasts, documentaries, live chats, celebrity interviews and more including hot news items, trending discussions from the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA are just a small part of what we will be sharing with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once I hit that feel, like, I don't need the extra, you know, hair smacks. I do the head smacking. Who's the guy when you make a play that you want to go head buck immediately? Who's your hype guy? It's got to be Ardke. Artic. The day that I decided to invite everybody out there, that's when I had boat probably. I was on the damn boat with Cam.

And he ain't let it go. He still talked about it to the day. I'm like, you ain't catch you. Welcome to the Greenlight podcast presented by BetMGM. If you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code Greenlight. and you will get up to a $1,500 first bet offer on your first wager with BetMGM. Here's how it works. Download the BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code Greenlight.

Deposit at least $10 and place your first wager on any game. If that bet loses, you will receive up to $1,500 in bonus bets. Just make sure you use bonus code Greenlight when you sign up. Welcome with the Greenlight podcast. Jeffrey Simmons is he the NFL's scariest player Chris thought so and now we've got him on green lights straight from Titans training camp a great episode talking about pass rush and a little fishing enjoy it and we'll be back with more later this week one of my favorite players to watch absolute bully out there on the field Jeffrey Simmons Jeff you heard me and Ryan Clark talking about you I said that's you gotta have some of the biggest fucking pause I've ever I've ever showed dude he we agreed that you were the scariest guy in the NFL. So I don't know how that makes you feel.

You were like, I'm not that scary. You know, everybody, especially even with my family, you know, they were like, he's so soft. You know, he's very, very soft-spoken when he at home, he ran a family. But everybody know when I hit that field, it's like a flip. It's like a switch that gets flipped. And I'm like, you know, I'm an aggressive guy.

Like, DeNorra, you know, we were always joking. And then, you know, the conversation was today. He was like, you're just an angry man on the field. Like, coach, I'm like, when I'm, When I'm on the field and I cross that line, I see red. And if you got another color jersey on, you know, it's, you're my enemy. You know, it's nothing, nothing never personal. You know, some guys could take it there, you know, get personal with certain guys.

But for me, you know, my motto is when I'm on that field, and I got it right here on my arm, it's feed the family. When I get in my three-point stand, you know, I'm looking at that before I look across that line of scrimmage. I got a family to feed, and that's my job when I'm on the field. That's kind of my motto. And when I'm on the field, like, you know, I got to be anger. I got to be a mean and got to be a... Well, you got to be the tone setter.

Got to be. Because you're the dog. Like, and for, you know, being on defensive lines that I was on, there's always one guy. And I used to love having guys on D lines like that because I feed off that. And I'm sure your guys feed off that too. Who's the guy when you make a play that you want to go head buck immediately? Who's your hype guy? It's got to be Arden Key.

Art and key, dude. You know, first, he's going to be the one that comes. come up and do the jumping and they ain't near from the jump over me at times. But, you know, and I'm big on it. I mean, you could test to it. Like the way we go up front, the way the team go. And, you know, it could be days where week three are camping. I don't have the high energy.

And I mean, it's not, I could just go back to joint practice against Tampa. I don't know what it was. You know, I don't know just getting out the flight, but I felt my energy were down. And that first part of practice, we didn't have a good practice. Yeah. Because I just felt like nobody was able to pick up off my bad energy. And it just wasn't like, I didn't have bad energy. It just, I wasn't being.

You weren't here. I wasn't there. Right. And, you know, that's who I am. You know, I want to be that guy to bring the juice to the tea. I want to be the guy to set the tone. And when I'm not doing that, it shows on the field. And, you know, I got called out forward by my position coach.

Like, you know, your energy is down. You have to pick it up. And, you know, it's one of them things where, you know, it's come with a lot. But, you know, when a guy like myself, you know, I want that pressure. I don't, I wouldn't even say pressure because I don't consider it as pressure. You know, I want my coach to hold me to that standard, you know, try to be the same person each and every day. So you don't need the smelling salts to get excited.

No, I don't think I, I mean, I didn't probably done it, especially since I've been in the lead, maybe two or three times. That just because, you know, offense align and love it. Yeah, they put it in the bottom. Put it in the bottom and they want everybody to smell it. I'm like, you know what, let me try. But for me, you know, I'm, I wake up with it. I wake up and I tell everybody the first day and I listen to in the morning of gospel.

That's what gets me going. That's what gets me centered. And once I hit that feel, like, you know, I don't need the extra, you know, head smacks. And, you know, I do the head smacking. Do the head smacking. I do it. I can love that, dude. So Key, man, I think he's just been fantastic.

His versatility, the whole thing. what's so beneficial about playing with a guy like that from a football standpoint? I mean, I think at the end of the day, especially, like you said, he's very versatile. He'd be able to rush inside, able to work outside. And, you know, he's been doing, I don't know what it is, but, you know, it's like, you know,

a lot of guys, when you get to a older than your career, it's like, you know, this guy falling off. But now, I mean, especially being able to play with Arden, what, three years now, this is the third year. You know, throughout the training camp, I'm like, man, all chemistry should have got so much better. We're rushing together. Now it's like, and I'm, and we texting like this,

before we came back to training can, he was like, bro, just a year, we gotta be on each other. That's like, we wanna be good. We wanna both get double-digit sacks. And I told him like, it was one day I called him out. Like, you gotta one-on-one. I'm getting a shot, go in. And it's vice versa.

Like, he gotta hold me to that standard. I gotta hold him to that standard. And we've been doing a hell of a job at that. And just for us to be able to work off each other and inside, you know, that's a misnesty. match. Him against guards, you know, his quickness and things in that nature, it's going to help me. Because now, you know, hopefully if he's getting onto a hot street, they'll take that slide on over there to the other. No question. So, but like I said, you know, I'm a team player. And

like I told him, if they're going to slide to me, you need to come inside and go win on reps. And, you know, we've been holding each other to a high standard. What's your process like when you put your hand in the dirt and you're thinking about, hey, it's a must pass situation? Are you a guy who's got your whole bag that you bring to third down or is it something where it's a feel thing? Yeah, I think the last couple years, for me, it's been kind of, well, the last two years

it's really been a field thing. I go into the game because I can work on, like I work on my crap. I work on my craft throughout the week, okay, if I get a one-on-one, maybe I can do this move. But it's hard to go into a game when you watch tape, okay, this is how they block Chris Jones. But we get on Sunday, they block me a totally different.

They pull in the guard and I'm getting a hard set from the center. So I got five hands on me at one time. And I'm like, damn, like, what was this against another dummy player? So it's one of the things where I have a move in mind against this guy. If I'm able to get that one-on-one or we, sometimes you can have that if I hear five-oh, like, all right, now I got you where I want you at. Now I can work on my stuff that, hell, we're just outside hand puncher. Now I'm fin to swipe him.

Now I'm going to do a move that I know that he could get beat with. But for me, it's kind of been like a reaction thing because I know I have been getting a slot a lot. And, you know, once I get that one-on-one opportunity, you know, that's why I don't try to work. I don't have a mindset not to waste a rep because that one-on-one rep may just come when I'm not expecting it. Well, it's always, yeah, especially if the game isn't in phase in your favor where you got a lead and that sort of thing. Like, you might get two rush. True rush opportunities in the first half, especially if they're hunting you. Definitely.

Yes. So, I mean, you got to make them count. And, like, I feel like play action is a great time on early downs to get your, you know, to get your money. Most definitely. And, I mean, we just go back from to last year. I mean, we're playing against the Texans up there first time playing against them. And I mean, they was running a trap pass on third and long.

I'm like, the hell, like, who's doing this? It was crazy. And it was just that very moment in the fourth quarter to where I finally got a one-on-one with the guard and I got a sack. So it's one of the things where, like you said, Like, even on first and second down, like, that's one, that's been my biggest thing this off season. How fast can I react to a play action pass? Get your eyes out of the backfield, trust the block because the offense, they're not selling it no more.

They're popping straight up. Nope. You know, and it's all a job to get your eyes out of the backfield and believe what's in front of you. And I think that's going to be a big part this season for us. And you almost don't mind it if they sell it hard because then the bowl pulls there for you because all the weight's coming this way. Most definitely. I got you leaning. Yeah, exactly. Yeah.

And most guys probably can't anchor on you. Yeah. I mean, especially, and that's another thing that I've been really working on because it's a timing thing. And I try to tell all young guys, just like, you get the bull and we got this young rookie Cam, his name Cam. And Tommy hit somebody, they're going back and trying to anchor. And I'm telling them, and I'm talking to myself when I'm telling them this, I'm like,

it's a timing thing. It should be one, two snatch. One, two snatch. Get off the block because. With us being so strong, they're going backwards. And they'll talk to hop hop, hop sit. And on that second- On that second one is get off the ball, get off the ball.

That hadn't changed in 20 years. It's haven't. It's two hops. It's universal. That's funny as how. Do you like lining up on a shade? Like is there a good thing about lining up in the shade over the center for people?

It's a mismatch. Like I, you know, I've been doing it a little bit during training camp and, you know, being able to get that rep. For me, I'm, you know, sometimes I just jet it. Like, when I'm at that shade, like, you know, I know for a fact, you got to snap the ball. Ball hand side. Like, it's over, buddy.

And I tell that about, like, you know, you play some teams who have some, a decent center. But we all know the center is the worst, I mean, that's the reason why you play center. Yeah, for any centers out there, nothing personal. Nothing personal, but we know. But you're all in little. But you're all little.

So just to be able to, when I line up over the center, I'm like, I'm about to go. Yeah. You know, that's, that's going to be my biggest thing this year to try to, you know, move around. That's to stop team. Even when you get in a slide, like, if I get that guard and hand, like, yeah, I'm, I'm going to get a jump on this center. And now I could just get more pressure on the air. And you're in the doorway already.

Yeah. So, so you're like a fistfight guy out there. I just love the way you play, man. You just have, you can tell the dog mentality bleeds in the way you rush the passer to. Is there another guy you rush against that, you know, I know it's hard giving these guys props for like that you're like, I can respect his mentality. He's a brawler too.

And it's a good, I mean, you get Quinn Nelson a lot. I think I play against him twice a year. I mean, I got, you know, the utmost respect for Quinn. You know, we compete all ass off each and every game. Like, but after the game, I'm talking about it's in the middle of the game to where, you know, we, I mean, we're saying some things. I didn't say some things to him probably that, you know, I'm not going to say we because Quinn, not that type of guy.

Yeah, I was like, we. But, you know, I didn't say a couple things to quitting, you know, that I only even sometimes remember what I didn't say. I'm like, you know, this guy can really hate me. But after the game, though, I'm like, after the game to where we coming up to each other and saying, you know, we appreciate the word, because each and every game, like, it's a doll fight. He's got a little de-linement in him. Yeah.

Because I was at the busing with the boys pool party. He was out of the, we were playing beer pong and shit. He just is like one of the guys, man. Yeah. I like him, you know, hung out, talked to him, like, even at the Pro Bowl. that nature. Like, Quinn, you know, he's a good guy off the field. But, you know, I got a much respect for him.

Yeah. We play them twice a year. I've been entertained hearing you describe your trash talk on the field. You were like, I try not to get personal. Like, which is a try. And I used to, when I played, like, I didn't come out shit talking, you know, because a lot of times I was on teams that were really struggling. That's a tough, that's a tough deal.

But, like, sometimes I would research. I would do a little Google, a little light Google on the guy, just in case he came in me. Do you do a little light Googling or you just as it from the hip? I don't think, it's always, because the first thing I do when I get to the line of scrimmage,

like, I'm gonna look at you. Like, when I'm running on the field and y'all in the hudder, you look back and you walk into the line of screaming, I'm gonna look you in your eye. You look away, I got you. Yes. Like, once you look away,

yes. Yeah, this is gonna be a long day for you. And I'm gonna let you know, I'm like, yeah, I got your ass and it's been like, I just started talking from there. Like, I'm walking, I'm running. It could be pre-game. Like, that's another reason why I don't go out

for pregame no more, because, you know, sometime I could get out there and I can build that asshole at time. Oh yeah, when they run in the tunnel? Yeah. And y'all are over there with the bands or y'all are doing indie or one-on-one's over there. Yeah.

So I'll, you know, sometimes I'll be like, you know, I'm already, I'm going on the field and trying to set the tone. So I'm going to let you know that it's going to be a long day and I'm going to be talking all day. You gotta have like a handler out there. Like we had, when Brandon Graham, he just talked all day. Like, we'd be like, BG, BG, like just pulling the house. But it's a little harder to get a hold of you.

You know, sometimes some, I think guys, they stop trying. Yeah, they just let him go. I do. Let him go. Ordin to try, he'll sometimes, he'll be like, hey, Jeff, come on, man, chill out. And I'm like, I'm not hearing that. Like, I think he only say stuff to me when I'm starting to talk to the ref a bit. Yes.

Like, that's the only time you're going to hurt us. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Leave him along. So, by the way, I didn't know Jason Hatcher's your uncle. Yep. He's coming to town Friday. Tell him I said hello, will you? He's the funniest dude on Instagram.

Mentor, he's the reason why I didn't go with an agent out of college. Really? You know, I didn't sign with an agent out of college. We talked about it, you know, we wanted to start our own thing. It's called walking business. And, you know, his biggest thing was, you know, you're your own business and, you know, walk like it. So that's the reason how we came up to walking business and being able to have him as a mentor. You know, I don't even, you know, sometime I don't even call him uncle, you know.

But, you know, that's my uncle, you know, it's God, man. You know, the word can't describe how much he means to me. And, you know, still to this day, you know, I get text messages out of nowhere. Like, you know, if you're not getting off the ball like his past, every snap, then what are you doing? You're wasting a run. That's all my dad used to send me, come off the ball. Hatch was a great player, great dude. All right, so we finished with some fishing, ma'am.

There's a pond out here. You got the Cumberland River not far. Where do you like to fish around here without giving away your sweet, you know? spots. I mean, it's a big lake. I mean, it's hard. I mean, if I tell you where to go, you probably still won't go out. Yeah. Go out there on a lake. But I'll fish out there out there. Yeah. I didn't finish on Percy and old Hickory. I actually haven't fished this pun yet. Mitch used to have, old teen chopping used to have, asking me to come out there and just sit out there. Yeah. I'm like, from what I heard, this, this pun right here is a little nasty.

It's not a, it's not a fish. Well, dude, you know, like, do you remember Jerry's Norwood? Was he, is he Mississippi guy? I think yeah he has nowhere yet. Man we had to explain to him you couldn't you couldn't bow hunt he was trying to bow hunt over the fence at our facility you know so there's always the hey guys and I saw your boat by the way that's a sweet setup. So this a this it was it was kind of messed up you know a couple weeks ago I just set it up all for the guys I don't know you saw the picture me and cam on a boat together but I set it up for a lot of Texas group or team where like anybody want to go fishing. I got more replies than I thought. So I'm like,

all the sudden you got a boat full of dudes. So I'm like, and then text my guy, can you get a couple charters? Yeah. We end up having like three or four boats. You know, a lot of guys came out there. So I'm going, you know, I get out there, you know, my guy, Tanner, he always, you know, look out for my boat when I'm in season. He said, he just went out there the day before. Yeah. And I get out there. And I said, fuck. My damn, but some got in my motor. Dude, boat ownership sucks, man.

This day, this happened, and I was on the damn boat with Cam. With Kim. And he ain't let it go. He still talked about it till he. I'm like, you ain't a cat shit like you. I said, you got hung three times before we even got going. And he said, well, it's that broke-ass boat, this and that. I'm like, y'all got bad energy on your boat.

The fish they're sensing. Yeah. He got hung twice. Yep, I know. Yep, keep talking. talking. Mm-hmm. Yeah, damn.

Be like that. Ooh, it took him beat. The day that I decided to invite everybody out there, that's when I had boat problems. Well, listen, I own a tubing

and kayak in business back home. If you ever come to Virginia, we can put you on some small mouth, some musky, some catfish. Raw room's going to come to VA. So when they come, come visit. Hey, and by the,

way, dude, you look great. I heard you're on the bison chicken and turmeric rice? Yes, at first I thought it was like some type of yellow rice until she turned out. No, it's good. I eat the same day, dude. This is, I was like, she's like, no, it's actually turmeric on your rice. I'm like, oh, I like it. Good for inflammation. Yes, and I'm eating that pretty much every day. What's your weight now? Like today, I'm waiting right around 304. Man, hell yeah. Yeah, I'm feeling great. That's awesome. Moving great. So. That's awesome, man. Well, have a great year. Appreciate it. I appreciate you.

coming on. Appreciate you. We love your game. Appreciate that.