Simms second guessing?

Twice in less than one year, quarterback Chris Simms made a contract decision that may come back to haunt him.

In the spring of 2006, he chose not to sign a fairly lucrative contract offer from Tampa Bay (believed to be in the $10-million range) in favor of signing a one-year deal as a restricted free agent, the idea being that a solid season as the starter would allow him to cash in after 2006. Well, we all know what followed: a season-ending injury that involved the removal of his spleen.

Later, in December, Simms decides to re-up with the Bucs for two more years, the idea then being that he could regain the starting job and re-establish himself. Since then, the Bucs landed Jeff Garcia and all indications (including those from head coach Jon Gruden) are that Garcia will start in 2007. It hasn't helped that Simms is struggling mightily with his throwing form after recovering from that invasive surgery.

So, here -- again -- is Simms, searching himself after a pivotal decision. He said he didn't regret the one he made last spring. But he did express a hint of doubt in an interview with the Times' Rick Stroud on Thursday. Asked whether he would have come back to Tampa Bay knowing what he knows now, Simms said the following:

"I don't know. I would've definitely re-evaluated the situation. That's an honest answer."

That's something we've always appreciated about Simms: his honesty. When I approached him last year after learning through sources he had passed up that multi-year deal then gotten hurt, he didn't try to squirrel his way out of it. He was honest and said he'd do it again given the choice. Gotta respect him for that.

Now, here's where you come in: how do you feel about all this? Did Simms make a mistake by re-signing with the Bucs? Will he ever be the answer at quarterback here in Tampa Bay? He's the kind of guy everyone wants to root for, but unfortunately, that doesn't guarantee him a spot in the lineup.

And to Keith, who posted an interesting comment below, I understand why you would be confused. The front office was particularly upset about that story being leaked and made many statements to undermine it. But read our original story on that topic here and it should be clear to you what the truth is. Simms, as I said earlier, didn't dispute anything in that story. I got dragged through the mud a little after that, but we stand by the story firmly even a year later. I still have the interview on tape to this day to boot. If you have further questions, send me an email sometime at sholder@sptimes.com.

Let the standoff begin

The Bucs got off to an early start in signing their draft picks, inking fourth-round pick Tanard Jackson and seventh-rounder Marcus Hamilton in the past few days.

That's all well and good, but the hardest part is still to come. Negotiating a deal with first-round pick Gaines Adams will be a thorny process given the expected value of his contract. For a little perspective, consider last year's No. 4 pick -- the Jets' D'Brickashaw Ferguson -- signed a six-year contract worth about $37.5-million.

The goal will be to get Adams to camp on time, but don't expect a deal anytime soon. You might remember the Bucs signing Cadillac Williams in the middle of the night on the eve of camp in 2005 and their late-afternoon signing of Davin Joseph last year on the day players reported.

So, the Bucs have historically used every available minute in these  negotiations and, likewise, the players' agents also wait until the 11th hour to back down from their demands.

The Bucs may want to wait until some of the other players drafted around Adams are signed to get a sense of what the going rate is this year. Likewise, Adams' agents will want to make sure their client isn't being shortchanged in comparison with players drafted in the same area of the draft. Those facts increase the potential for extended negotiations.

It's still early, but we'll keep you posted when the first shot is fired in this potential standoff. In the meantime, for what it's worth, you can rest on this: shortly after the draft, Adams made a promise to make it to camp on time.

In that case, the clock's ticking.

Which Bucs rookie will have big impact?

   Aside from the occasional signing of a draft pick, it's vacation time for Bucs players and coaches. The quiet before the thunderstorms of training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

   So let's look ahead and start a discussion. The Bucs concentrated most of their draft on defensive players, starting with first-round pick Gaines Adams.

   What role the Clemson defensive end will have might depend on how Simeon Rice comes back from shoulder surgery. Right now, Adams is working exclusively at right defensive end. My guess is he'll be used some on the left side on certain passing downs.

   But there are other interesting rookies such as linebacker Quincy Black and safety Sabby Piscitelli. Then there's an offensive contributor like Kenneth Darby, who looks great catching the ball out of the backfield.

   So which rookie do you believe will have the biggest impact for the Bucs in 2007? Considering the bar has been set by Michael Clayton and Cadillac Williams, can one of the first-year guys reach those heights?

   Tell us what you think.   

   

Bucs sign seventh-round pick Hamilton

   Bucs players have the next five weeks off but general manager Bruce Allen is busy working.

   Virginia cornerback Marcus Hamilton, one of the Bucs' three, seventh-round picks, signed a contract with the team Sunday.

   Hamilton is the second draft choice to reach an accord with the Bucs', joining safety Tanard Jackson, a fourth-round pick who signed Friday.

   Hamilton finished his career at Virginia with 15 interception, matching the total of Cavalier alum Ronde Barber. Last season, Hamilton had 39 tackles with five INTs, four passes defensed and 3.5 tackles for loss.

   Tampa Bay has eight draft picks who remain unsigned, including first-round selection Gaines Adams. But there isn't any reason to think negotiations will last beyond the start of training camp July 26.   

Bucs sign fourth-round pick Jackson

   Safety Tanard Jackson, a fourth-round selection from Syracuse, became the first of the Bucs' 10 draft picks to sign with the team.

   Terms of the deal were not released. Jackson's signing was announced by the team Friday, one day after the Bucs concluded their mandatory minicamp.

   A three-year starter for Syracuse at cornerback, Jackson is making the transition to safety. He played in 45 career games for the Orangemen, with 34 starts, 165 tackles, five interceptions, 2.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss and 14 passes defensed.

   The Bucs also released fullback Jon Goldsberry, receiver Efrem Hill, cornerback Chaz Williams and tight end C.J. Leak, the brother of former Florida quarterback Chris Leak.

   Typically, general manager Bruce Allen waits until July to begin signing draft picks. But many of the league's other fourth rounders have signed, making it easier to reach a deal with Jackson.

   

      

Plummer could face fines for taking a knee

   The Bucs aren't going to let Jake Plummer stiff-arm them much longer.

   Plummer is subject to being fined for missing the Bucs' three-day mandatory minicamp that concluded Thursday and indications are the Bucs will ask him to repay about $7-million in pro-rated signing bonus if he fails to play this season.

   Tampa Bay acquired Plummer in a trade with Denver March 3 for a conditional draft pick, prompting him to announce plans to retire from the NFL. Bucs general manager Bruce Allen said Thursday he recently has spoken to Plummer and the team still hopes the 32-year-old quarterback reports to training camp July 27.

   ""You can't unilaterally retire as a player in the NFL,'' Allen said. ""Because you have a contract. He is under the same obligations as every player our the team.

   ""It is resolved. We've traded for him and it's no different than if he elects not to report to camp, no different than when Keenan McCardell didn't report to camp or when you see other players hold out. There's no difference.''

   McCardell, who failed to report to training camp in 2004, was ordered to repay $1.5-million of his signing bonus to the Bucs after eventually being traded to the San Diego Chargers.

   ""We're not getting into personal conversations,'' Allen said of Plummer. ""We traded for him with the intent of him playing for the Buccaneers. He knows that and we've been very clear what we see for him and his future. We'll just have to see if we have a meeting of the minds.''

   The Bucs have six quarterbacks working in the off-season, including Eagles free agent Jeff Garcia, Chris Simms and Bruce Gradkowski. Sources close to Plummer have said he is steadfast in his plans to retire, although he has not formally filed his papers with the NFL office.

   Allen said the Bucs have not entertained the idea of trading Plummer to another team.

   ""The intent is the absolute same. We want him on our team,'' Allen said.

   ""He's on our salary cap right now and he missed minicamp. By contract, there's certain obligations a player has. We're going to have further talks with him.''

   Allen wouldn't specifically address what sanctions they may seek against Plummer for not attending the mandatory minicamp.

   ""We've never really discussed what we do disciplinary-wise publicly,'' Allen said. ""He's aware of where we stand with that and hopefully reports to training camp.

   ""Obviously, we haven't missed a beat with him not here. We're preparing for our season. The quarterback competition, as you all know, has been very lively and we feel good with the players we have here. So we're not waiting for anybody. We're going forward.''

   Meanwhile, Simms still is struggling to regain his throwing motion following surgery to remove his spleen last Sept. Allen said Simms has been medically cleared to play and insists he still has a future with the team.

   ""I see Chris' future no different than it has been the last few years,'' Allen said. ""He's one of the hardest workers you'll find. He loves the game of football and he will regain his stroke because he's dedicated to the game. He'll get better with time. He's a young man who's got a good future.'''

   Coming off a 4-12 record, the Bucs' third losing season in the past four years, Allen said that he and coach Jon Gruden feel no additional pressure to win in '07.

   ""That pressure is constant in the league because you want to win,'' Allen said.

   ""That did occur, we didn't have a good season last year. We had a good season the previous year and we had a bad season the year before that. What we're looking to do is win and build the team from the ground up to a winner. You feel that pressure no matter what you do in life and it doesn't matter what team you're on. And you love it.''

   Gruden rewarded his team Thursday by cancelling the final practice of the mandatory minicamp.

   

 

    

Minicamp, Day 2

For the second day of their three-day mandatory minicamp, the Bucs moved practice down the street to Raymond James for a more authentic gameday feel, complete with firing cannons. Everything went pretty much as expected, with a few exceptions.

Cornerback Brian Kelly was missing after knocking knees with a teammate during practice on Tuesday. He remained at the team facility for treatement, with coach Jon Gruden calling his status day-to-day. Kelly will be fine for training camp, which starts July 27. Defensive end Simeon Rice wore his jersey but could only watch, still not cleared to play after season-ending shoulder surgery in 2006. And rookie guard Aaron Sears did not practice for consecutive days because of "minor issues."

In the continuing quarterback saga, Chris Simms did not take a single rep during the team periods, focusing instead on individual drills and footwork. Gruden said Simms will get reps today, when the team holds its final practice off the offseason.

Rice, Sears held out of minicamp

   Defensive end Simeon Rice stretched and shared a few laughs with teammates Tuesday morning, but that was the extent of his appearance on the practice field at the Bucs' mandatory minicamp.

   Rice, who missed the final eight games last season, still is recovering from shoulder surgery and has not been cleared to practice this off-season. The Bucs expect him, however, to be ready for the start of training camp next month.

   "He's going through his rehab and he's not fully able to participate at this point,'' coach Jon Gruden said of Rice. "Other than that, he's a guy who will be ready for training camp and a guy we missed last season, obviously.''

   Rice wasn't the only player sitting out. Rookie guard Arron Sears, a second-round pick from Tennessee, did not practice due to undisclosed 'issues.'

   "He was at practice, he wasn't participating,'' Gruden said. "He just has some minor issues we're taking care of. He'll be ready for camp.''

   Although it was hardly a surprise, one player who did not attend the mandatory minicamp was Broncos free agent quarterback Jake Plummer, who has announced his retirement. However, Plummer could be subject to fines.

   "We're talking about Jake Plummer here,'' Gruden said. "So we'll reserve a roster spot for the Snake a little while longer. If it were Jake Jones or Jake Johnson or Jake Gruden, we'd probably bypass the holding pattern that we're in right now. This is a hell of a football player that has accomplished a great deal. At this point, he's retired and hopefully at some point, he changes his mind or reconsiders.''

   Quarterback Jeff Garcia said he wouldn't mind if Plummer decided to report to camp.

   "That's fine. If he wants to come, he can come and sit on the bench, too,'' Garcia said. ""So whatever he wantr to do. That's his decision.''

 

   

 

   

 

   

Garcia eager for minicamp

The Bucs wrapped up their 14th and final Organized Team Activity (OTA) on Thursday, with next week's three-day minicamp providing the big finish for the team's offseason program. Veteran free-agent quarterback Jeff Garcia, given the early nod last week by coach Jon Gruden in the competition for the starting job, continues to work on the nuances of the playbook, specifically the copious shifts, movements and terminology. He hopes to be comfortble by the start of training camp in late July. Until then, he feels a bit restricted in his ability to be a fiery leader in the huddle because he's so busy making sure his tongue doesn't get twisted. Next week's minicamp is a great opportunity to work toward that goal.

"I want to come out here and be clear-headed, to be able process the information much faster," Garcia said. "I feel like an old computer right now. It just isn't processing fast enough. But it's getting there. I just need to speed it up. That's one thing I want to get done out here at minicamp. I want to be effective, continue to be effective with the football, continue to be accurate, eliminate mistakes, eliminate turnovers. And I want to step into the huddle with enthusiasm. I think because I'm thinking so much right now, it takes away from my personality and what I bring to the field as far as the fight, the intensity, the emotion. I want to get to that point where I can step into the huddle, rally these guys, get them excited, get up to the line of scrimmage and run the play."

Though Gruden endorsed Garcia last week, he was reluctant to name leaders in the clubhouse at any other position. He did say competition is close at positions such as center and receiver, as well as the offensive and defensive lines and the secondary.

Bucs strike out

Lightning chased the Bucs off the practice field Wednesday morning. The offseason program is winding down with one more Organized Team Activity (OTA) scheduled for today and the mandatory, three-day mini camp next week.

Bucs release training camp schedule

Hope you saved a few sick days for the end of the summer (cough, cough, wink, wink). Check out the daily schedule for the Bucs training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Lake Buena Vista. Most days feature two practices, morning and afternoon, and all are open to the public. The schedule and times are subject to change.

Friday, July 27: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-5:15 p.m.

Saturday, July 28: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-5:15 p.m.

Sunday, July 29: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-5:15 p.m.

Monday, July 30: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-3:55 p.m. (special teams)

Tuesday, July 31: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-5:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug.1: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-5:15 p.m.

Thursday, Aug.2: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-3:55 p.m. (special teams)

Friday, Aug.3: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-5:15 p.m.

Saturday, Aug.4: 8:30-11 a.m. (no afternoon practice)

Sunday, Aug.5: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-5:15 p.m.

Monday, Aug.6: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-3:55 p.m. (special teams)

Tuesday, Aug.7: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-4:50 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug.8: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-4:50 p.m.

Thursday, Aug.9: 10:15-11:15 walk through.

Friday, Aug.10: 7:30 p.m., preaseason game versus New England, Raymond James Stadium.

Saturday, Aug.11: No practice.

Sunday, Aug.12: 2:45-4:30 p.m.

Monday, Aug.13: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-4:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug.14: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-4:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug.15: 8:30-11 a.m. and 2:45-4:45 p.m.

Thursday, Aug.16: 8:30-10:45 a.m., camp breaks.

More quarterback chatter

As you might imagine, the hot topic of the day Tuesday when the team resumed offseason workouts was ... drum roll, please ... quarterbacks. On Friday, coach Jon Gruden proclaimed free-agent veteran Jeff Garcia has a "big lead" over fifth-year pro Chris Simms for the starting job. Garcia won't talk to reporters until Thursday, but Simms took a turn in front of the microphones Tuesday when the team wrapped practice. No, he's not worried about anything that happens in June. Yes, he is still recovering from September surgery to remove his spleen. No, he is not conceding anything. Yes, he will be ready by the start of training camp July 26.

Here's what we learned: Simms said he has developed some bad habits in his throwing mechanics as a result of favoring his midsection. He'll work through them in time, but there's really nothing he can do to speed up the process. He hasn't practiced since September, and it's unrealistic to think he could just walk back on the field and pick up where he left off.

Here's what else we learned: According to quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett, Garcia's mobility was obvious the first time he stepped on the practice field and a quarterback who can move suits Gruden's playbook. Keep in mind, Gruden's playbook took shape while he was coaching in Oakland with quarterback Rich Gannon. And just about every quarterback he has worked with in Tampa has been like putting a square peg into a round hole, from Brad Johnson to Shaun King to Brian Griese to Simms to Tim Rattay. Hackett didn't say it, but we all know Simms is not the most mobile guy in the league. In fact, he's the least mobile guy on the Bucs roster.

Stay tuned. We'll hear from Garcia on Thursday.

Garcia has 'big lead' at quarterback

Bucs coach Jon Gruden all but anointed free agent pickup Jeff Garcia, left, the Bucs' starting quarterback while addressing an audience of business people and fans during a question and answer session at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast Friday morning at the Belleview Biltmore.

"There's not a lot of controversy in my eyes right now,'' Gruden said. "If you want to catch up to Jeff Garcia, our young quarterbacks have some work to do. Garcia has done a great job from day one, since he's been here.

"He understands the position, he's moved offenses wherever he's been, and right now Jeff Garcia has a big lead, to me, on the quarterback position. He brings a lot of juice and enthusiasm to our offensive team.

"I'm not discounting that there won't be a competition in training camp. I do believe Chris Simms and Bruce Gradkowski can make it interesting, and Luke McCown is also doing some good things. But Jeff Garcia is clearly the leader in the clubhouse right now, and we are excited about that.''

Moore moves to the booth

Dave Moore's playing career is over after 15 NFL seasons, but he won't be going far. The former Bucs tight end and longsnapper will take over as the color commentator on Bucs' radio broadcasts with play-by-play man Gene Deckerhoff. The radio opportunity helped make Moore's decision to retire rather than play a 16th season, he said.

Dave Moore retiring

Long-time Buc Dave Moore is expected to announce his retirement at a 1 p.m. news conference at the team facility. Only linebacker Derrick Brooks played more games in a Bucs uniform than Moore, whose role the past two seasons was primarily as the longsnapper on special teams.

Bucs re-sign Pearson, cut Colmer

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed safety Kalvin Pearson and released offensive tackle Chris Colmer, a 2005 third-round draft pick, according to a news release issued by the team.

Caddy still humming

Coming off the first losing season of his football career at any level - pee wee, high school, college or pro - running back Cadillac Williams no longer takes anything for granted. Not yards, not touchdowns and certainly not victories.

The Bucs' 4-12 season was frustrating for the NFL's 2005 offensive rookie of the year. His production dipped from 1,178 yards and seven touchdowns in 2005 to 798 yards and one touchdown in 2006. Of course, plenty of that can be blamed on the early injury to quarterback Chris Simms. With rookie Bruce Gradkowski running the offense for most of the season, opposing defenses did not respect the passing game. Instead, they stacked the line of scrimmage to shut down the Bucs running game and it's biggest threat: Williams.

It was nobody's fault, but Williams suffered.

"That's very frustrating because it's tough when you go out and practice hard during the week, prepare yourself, play hard on Sundays and you're just not getting results,'' Williams said after Wednesday's offseason practice at the team facility.

"It was a time where you had to say, 'Hard times don't last.' That's the approach I took. It did test my patience, my character, but through it all I think it's only going to make me a better football player. I found out you definitely shouldn't take winning for granted. From the season we had last year, I'm counting every win and going to be thankful for it."

Williams is healthy, no nagging injuries. He is working daily to become a more complete back, improving his receiving skills and blitz pickups in hopes of seeing more action on third down and in the two-minute drill. Despite last season's dip, his confidence is up heading into his third pro season.

"I actually have more confidence," Williams said. ""Even though we had a down year and I had a down year, my confidence level is still there. I definitely know what to expect and I feel like I know what we need to do as a team to win ball games."

Bleeding orange and blue

The Bucs were back at work Tuesday, resuming their offseason workout program with a morning practice at the team facility. The thermometer crept toward 90 degrees, a sampling of what lies ahead when the team reports to training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in late July. But there wasn't much in the way of NFL news to talk about, so, naturally, talk turned to the indecision of Gators basketball coach Billy Donovan.

Hey, why not?

Veteran defensive end Kevin Carter, a UF alum, was happy to hear Donovan was reconsidering his move to the NBA and the Orlando Magic to return to the Gators program for a run at a third consecutive national championship.

"I think he realizes the best school in the known universe, the best place to be a college coach, is right there in Gainesville," Carter said. "I don't know why anybody would ever leave."

Count Carter among those who does not think less of Donovan for changing his mind.

"I can't fault him at all," Carter said. "My wife and I are both Gators and we talked about it last night. We talked about his change of heart. You can't fault his decision. He made the right one. He's back in the right place. Of course, we're biased. We're Gators. But you have to look at the situation he's created there. He's been there for 11 years and won two national championships. It's a great place to coach and play. Anybody you know who went to school there had the same experience I did as an athlete. You have a wonderful college experience. So I'm glad he came back."

Receiver Ike Hilliard, a member of the Gators 1996 national championship team, sympathized with Donovan's dilemma.

"I just hope it works out for everybody," Hilliard said. "I don't think it's about money. I think he's going to be paid well wherever he goes. God bless him and his family. It's a tough sitaution for him, obviously. ...God knows what he's going through being pulled between two places, the challenge of the NBA and staying there in Gainesville and trying to build a dynasty. ...I'm a fan also. I still bleed orange and blue. If he goes back it will be great for the university. Obviously, the kids are going to come and want to play for him."

On a football note, Hilliard was encouraged by the fact the team did not draft a receiver despite plenty of pre-draft buzz about the team's desire to move up and draft Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson.

"That's a vote of confidence for us," Hilliard said. "We like our jobs. We're a good group."

Jake, where ya been?

Look who popped up over the weekend: Bucs quarterback Jake Plummer.

He attended the Idaho Celebrity Alzheimer's Benefit in his native state on Saturday and answered a few questions from the Idaho Statesman newspaper.

Now, long after announcing his retirement when the Bucs acquired his rights in a trade with the Broncos in March, football still sounds like it's a long way from Plummer's mind.

"I have a little bit of time on my hands," he said. "I'm filling it up with things I want to do, not things I have to do."

He still hasn't officially informed the league of his decision to retire (he must send an official letter to the commissioner's office) but Plummer said he already has closed the book on the last chapter of his life.

"Everything I would need to play again," he said, "I hung 'em all up in a box in storage."

Leaving the game when he has his health also seems important. "I want to be able to play golf when I'm 55. Heck, I want to play when I'm 40."

Of course, Plummer can say all the right things for now, but there's still that little matter of the approximately $7-million the Bucs could attempt to recover from Plummer -- a prorated amount of the guaranteed money he received after signing his last contract. He still has the right to report for training camp in the fall, at which point the Bucs would have to pay him his $5.3-million salary or release him.

But at this point, with training camp less than two months away, you have to wonder whether Plummer could do the Bucs any good. Who knows if he's in football shape. And it certainly doesn't sound like he wants to play football, even if he could.