End of an Era: QB Chris Simms could no longer be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer

by JScott on Mar 28, 2008 6:46 AM EDT in News Comment 10 comments

As you've all heard by now, Bucs QB Chris Simms has elected to skip Voluntary Team Workouts and did not attend last week's Quarterback Orientation for the first time in his career. No Simms isn't hurt, in fact he feels like he did before he lost his spleen to the Carolina Panthers defense:

"I'm back to 100 percent and just excited about getting back on the field again," he said. "I just think [skipping voluntary workouts] is in my best interest to continue my own workouts and to just wait and see what happens with the team," Simms said. "I don't really know what's going to happen. As far as the Bucs and the quarterback position goes, it's always an adventure." - St. Pete Times

That's the understatement of the year. It's taken me a while to get a firm grasp on that Quarterback Adventure, but I think I'm starting to understand it (hah, right). As for Simms, what a rollercoaster his career has been to watch..

For me, I hated when the Bucs spent a 3rd Round Pick on the guy back in '03. I didnt think much of him as a collegiate passer and I certainly didnt see how his lack of mobility was going to work in Gruden's offense (Simms sat out his entire Rookie Season). In 2004 I started to buy into Simms as our Quarterback of the Future, but a shoulder injury limited his ability to completely win me over. He did have me hoping Griese would get injured to start the '05 season so Simms could finish where he left off. Simms did get to play after Griese tore his acl mid-way through the season. That is when Simms completely won me over as a fan, so much so I bought his jersey (a true fan indeed). He didnt win in beautiful fashion, when had the Bucs Offense ever done that? But he showed toughness and an ability to rally his team for that final drive...

I don't know what happened to Chris between the '05 and '06 seasons. Maybe he got a big head with Griese being dumped and didnt completely focus on the season (Let's not kid ourselves, that O-Line had a HUGE hand in his lack of success). Never the less, he started '06 with 1 touchdown and 7 interceptions (and a freak load of batted passes) before the Carolina Panthers rocked his world... Damn you Panthers, Damn you!! Simms missed the entire 2007 season and left his future with the Bucs a relative unknown..

You would think for a guy that has shown so much and so little lately, that he would want to prove to the team he is Chris Simms circa '05 and is able to hold down that 3rd spot on the depth chart by showing up to Voluntary Workouts. As it stands, many believe Simms will be traded come Draft Day, but even more folks think the Bucs will outright release the guy (as he's slated to make $2 million this coming season). What a rollercoaster this guys career has been to watch. I hope he finds a way to make it back into Gruden's and the Fan bases good graces, but sadly, I think that ship has sailed...

Chris, here's to you forcing the Bucs to keep you around!!! Eh, good luck with that man..

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4 words come to mind...

I told you so =P Honestly, I think Simms could be one of the better QBs in the crowded stable, but resigning Griese must have been like a steel toed boot to the balls, realizing he pretty much had NO chance of getting play time this season, its pretty much time for him to move on I think. McCown had his moments, and I think he could be a pretty solid back up, but its time to start looking for a real QB of the future, if not middle of this draft, the first or second round next year.

by ghosthippo on Mar 28, 2008 7:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

you know how I feel about this issue

I would like to see us wait on Drafting a QB for the next couple years... Garcia has two years left tops, McCown definitely isn't the air apparent, I hate to say it but the same goes for Simms as well....

With Gradkowski and Simms, Gruden didn't develop them all to well (granted their abilities were limited). I wonder if the Bucs would be better off bringing in Veteran QB's to work with Gruden. McNabb would be a good example. They're all but pushing him out of Philly... I'd like to see him running Gruden's offense....

We could have Tom Brady come here and we would still be mediocre on offense, the QB needs help in Tampa drastically... Ben Troupe and Antonio Bryant are not the answer... and looking toward the Draft for that immediate help is short sighted as well.... As the Pirate Ship turns

by JScott on Mar 28, 2008 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As before

I agree that we have a lot of needs that come WAY before drafting a QB, but seriously, McNabb? He would be a sitting duck, no matter how much our offensive line has improved in the last couple of seasons, his complete lack of mobility would be the death nail for him if he came to the Bucs.

If we could draft, and/or wheel and deal for some young, major offensive weapons in the next couple of offseasons, I can see waiting on a QB another season or two, but they need time with the offense and preferably under a vet like Garcia to mature into a real star at the position, because no matter how great they were in college, they need time and experience to adapt to the next level. Thats why I can advocate drafting someone this year, although I'd rather see us get a Matt Ryan rather than a Chad Henne in a later draft.

by ghosthippo on Mar 29, 2008 5:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Draft 'em

I would like to see Tampa try and fix the QB position by drafting a QB of the future, rather than trying to apply the quick fix band-aid of a veteran QB.

However, the art of drafting a franchise QB is a bit hit and miss. Just look at David Carr. I believe that we should look to drafting a QB such as Josh Johnson or Kevin O'Connell. Both of these QBs have the mobility to thrive in Gruden's Offense, and we wouldn't have to spend a 1st or 2nd round pick to get them.

Drafting them this year would also enable them to sit behind a veteran QB in Garcia. If we draft a QB in the next few years, they will more than likely be thrown into playing before they have developed fully.

Live to Ride!! No Mountain Skills = Hospital Bills

by Bowsers Bucs on Mar 29, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

SAW IT A MILE AWAY

YEP WHEN THEY GOT GREASY..OOOPS I MEAN GRIESE AGAIN I KNEW THAT WAS IT FOR SIMMS. I WASNT SOLD ON SIMMS FROM DAY ONE THOUGH. BUT THEY DID GIVE HIM AN HONEST TRY I THOUGHT. AND HE GOT HIS SPLEEN ATE UP. THATS THE NATURE OF PRO BALL. SO HE`S NOT EVEN GONNA DO THE QB CAMP THING NOW? I HOPE WE GET A DECENT DRAFT PICK OR SOMETHING FOR HIM, BUT I REALLY DONT THINK WE WILL. BUT WHAT DO I KNOW, I`M JUST A COOK FROM BEEF O` BRADYS.

by stixx692001 on Mar 28, 2008 9:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hey

Welcome to BEEF'S .... Sorry I couldn't resist

by JScott on Mar 28, 2008 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

TAMPA

TAMPA IS THE BANDWAGON CAPITAL FOR SPORTS!!!!!!!!

by bereadawg on Mar 28, 2008 11:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

huh?

Can you explain that statement a little further? Thanks

by JScott on Mar 28, 2008 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

huh

What part dont you understand? You know what BANDWAGONING means?? I am from tampa and cant stand the fans down there. Before the bucs won the SB they HAD NO FANS all the sudden the city loves them same with the lightening and im SURE if the rays ever make the playoffs it will happen with them too.Bandwagoning jump on when its good fall off when its bad.

by bereadawg on Mar 28, 2008 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

oh

I understand what a bandwagon fan equates to, I just didn't know how it related to this post or where you were going with that statement...

I don't live in Tampa, but its gotta be tough to be a bandwagon fan of the Bucs, Devil Rays, or Lightning for that matter. All three franchises have been doormats for some time. Only recently have the Bucs-Lightning become good and even then, they win ugly and can barely keep the winning culture consistent....

by JScott on Mar 28, 2008 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs