Quote:Pebblebrook s Simmer is in the limelight

Wednesday, August 27, 2003 3:51 AM EDT

By Jon Hines

Marietta Daily Journal Sports Writer

MABLETON - Most of the accolades that come to the star of a football team are usually reserved for a quarterback or running back.

At Pebblebrook, though, the Falcons have a budding star on their offensive line.

Senior Chris Simmer keeps improving in his offensive tackle spot, enough to garner the attention of Division I programs like Iowa, Mississippi and Ohio. But for now Simmer is just interested in helping his Falcons get to the Georgia Dome.


"He's an intelligent student-athlete and he runs well," Pebblebrook coach Chuck Stines said. "He ran a 5.21 at the combine at Georgia Tech. To be smart and have size is an attribute."

Simmer's size makes him a concern for any group of linebackers, and now he has become a leader for the Falcons.

"(I've improved) my blocking abilities and quickness," he said. "I'm in better shape than last year (and I need to improve) the mental aspect of the game to get ready for the next level. (I need to) get out of the baby stuff I still do, like (some) techniques. (They are) more advanced at the next level. (I want to) lead by example. I'll work on getting off the ball quicker and things like that"

After coming over from Shiloh during his sophomore year, Simmer is in his second season with Pebblebrook and has improved his condition enough to have run a 7:13 mile - quite a time for someone 285 pounds.

"That's pretty dang good," Stines said. "He's worked hard this year. He'd probably play guard in college."

After transferring from the Generals, Simmer seems to have come into his own under the Pebblebrook coaching staff.

"(The staff) helps me out a lot because they'll work with me one-on-one where I need it," Simmer said. "When they yell at you, it's not to get on you, it's to help you." 


After this year, he may be ready for the Big Ten, SEC or MAC.

"Chris has to work on being able to finish a block," Stines said. "He does a good job of getting there (but) I'm talking about a pancake block, where when he gets on you, he just explodes - where we're knocking people on the ground.

"His upside's still to come. He could be one of those that goes off to college and (becomes) a good offensive lineman. He doesn't know how good he could be yet."

For now, Simmer and the rest of Pebblebrook's line has take cues from last year's. The Falcons know how hard they must work because of the example set by last year's team.

"They realized how close we were to playing Tucker in the quarterfinals," Stines said. "They've learned that hard work pays off because it paid off for Jesse (Montoya), Rodney (Hughes), Jay Shannon and Dominique Gammage. They learned it's got to be a team thing."

jhines@mdjonline.com