Ryan Sims restructures?

We can't yet put this one in the beyond-the-shadow-of-a-doubt category, but it appears new defensive tackle Ryan Sims has restructured his contract.

According to the players' union database of salaries, Sims contract reflects a base salary of $595,000 for 2007 and nothing for '08 nor '09. When Sims was traded to the Bucs last week from Kansas City for an undisclosed draft pick, he had $5.7-million in base salary remaining over the next three seasons.

We reached out to Sims' agent to determine what exactly was done to the contract because the database does not reflect bonuses, guaranteed salary nor incentives, making it tricky to determine a contract's actual value. His agent, Peter Schaffer, didn't exactly answer the question, which leads us to believe seeing is believing in this case. That means the final two years of the deal were likely voided, too.

What Schaffer did say in our email exchange was the following: "Ryan's goal right now is to make the Bucs, make them better and show everyone why he was the sixth pick in the (2002) draft. He is thankful that the Bucs have shown him this type of confidence and hopes to repay them with a great year."

We won't know the specifics of the restructure until we get the contract details, but this looks like a pretty significant overhaul, which should result in major savings for the Bucs. Once the Chiefs determined they were moving on without Sims, it's likely Sims determined that his best bet was to get on board with a trade and agree to restructure his contract with his new team. That might have been more appealing to the alternative: being released.

All in all, if the guy pans out -- and that's a big if -- it looks like the Bucs might have gotten a steal. If he doesn't pan out, the Bucs can move on knowing they didn't invest much in him.

Comments

[Mark]

About time WE get a steal. It seems like all I read about is how other NFL teams grab a Buc reject and he wins them a Super Bowl or something. Thanks to Sims for restructuring, I hope he turns out to be great, then we can pay him next year!

[Darren]

It looks as if everyone (other the Chiefs) could win on this one: Ryan Sims wins by moving to a good team which will work with him to succeed; our Bucs win by getting a defensive tackle who wants to prove his skill on the field; and Tampa's fans win in having their team improve. Lets hope Ryan quickly rubs the Chiefs' face in their folly.

[Jason]

This deal reminds me of how we attained Hovan, Spears, and Rice. All of which were being let go for lack of production, or personal issues. Only Rice came aboard for big money. The others had to prove themselfs. Good move by the Bucs and if Sims does well, good move by him. Over all I think the Bucs have done a really good job of addressing our defensive line this offseason. I'm am still very interested too see who starts at what postion?
Train camp is going to be very exciting for the entirer defense, their are alot of starter spots up for grabs. I am thankful we still have Monte Kiffin to sort it all out for us.
GO BUCS!!

[James]

Standard Operating Procedure for the Bucs,... though we take some heat for some questionable players showing up at our doorstep, they always come with mininmal risk and with one shot to prove themselves...Nice move I really hope it works...