Bucs admit Simms has sore elbow

One day after Bucs general manager Bruce Allen said there was nothing wrong with Chris Simms' arm, coach Jon Gruden says his quarterback has a sore elbow. Simms said his throwing arm was sore and he was taking an anti-inflammatory.

And no one could say for sure when Simms will be fully recovered.

"Well, I don't quite feel like myself,'' Simms said. "I don't know how to say it. But it's hard for me to tell you guys. I think the only thing i can say to you is I'm going to continue to work and I'm not quite where I need to be.''

Gruden said Simms has had a sore elbow for a couple days and was hopeful the fifth-year pro could increase his workload in the next few days.

Photo by James Borchuck | Times

 

Comments

[DR]

Just release Simms now! He's taking snaps from other QB's who have potential. Simms has been in the league long enough so that everyone should know by now that he has no potential. Good riddance!

[JB]

Yes please dump this guy already!! Go after Culpepper and go into the year with Garcia, C-Pep, McCown, and Gradkowski - a very respectable QB stable.
Simms stinks! And has stunk for a long time.

[Daniel]

This has to be the biggest piece of hack journalism in the history of sports. Why don't you print the whole press conference with Simms and the manuscpript of Allens? Sims said he never heard of proprioception until Dr Strouds report. When asked if he was on anti-inflammatories he replied "We take cataflam. I try to stay away from that stuff honestly. I have taken cataflam a few times and the age old remedy of ice and trying to get in better shape". Why is the Times blowing this out of proportion? Your hack journalism is killing his trade value. Where is the report of Garcias sore hamstring? What is the Times agenda? Newsflash: a QBs arm is sore in training camp. Doesn't that happen to all QBs from all the throwing they do?

[Jim]

Unfortunately Chris Simms is not the QB of the future. Certainly an area the Buc's need to address either through the drat or by getting lucky in a trade or a free agent pick. Garcia is only a temp.

[Daniel]

Here are some other of Simms comments regarding the elbow
Q: Chris, is your arm sore?
A: My arm is a little sore, yeah, it is. It’s nothing like crazy sore. I’m not going to say it’s anything that … I’ve never been one to have a sore arm in the first place. It’s a little sore, but nothing I’m concerned about, that’s for sure.

Q: When did you start feeling that soreness?
A: I would say the second day a little bit, but again, don’t make a big deal out of this because it is not a big deal. It’s nothing that I feel like will hurt my career, or hurt me in camp. I’m OK and it’s going to be fine.

[Tim]

They make huge money, when they can't help you cut them. Get rid of him.

[Mike W.]

I'm having a real hard time understanding Stroud's agenda on this topic. Is tere truly nothing more interesting to print? How is the battle for Left Guard playing out right now? I haven't read a single word about Piscatelli. What about the lick that Phillips laid on Carnell on the goalline this morning? Rick, you're being very bush league about this. Let's be a little more professional.

[Matt]

Stroud is a hack who probably never played or coached the game. He's upset because he doesn't like Gruden or Allen and he knows he'd sell more papers creating controvery. So I don't ever waste my time reading his trash anymore. I heard the interview with Allen last night; all those reporters should be embarrassed.

[TAC]

Hack Stroud must be trying to get Simms released without any trade value so his buddy in Vicklanta can get a legit QB for vet min. Nice try Dr Stroud

[Budman]

Stroud needs to accept the fact that his buddy and source Rich McKay is not coming back. Maybe then he will let up on the non-stop barrage of snide and bitter attacks on Gruallen. Either that or take a job covering the Falcons.

[Luke]

I agree, the comments from Chris Simms were disected by this new reporter to point right back to his soar arm. I dont argue that he needs to be cut, but you manipulate what he says to where it looks like hes out for the season. (or calling it quits) Report the facts as they are described, dont re-word them so they can be mistakeend for a different identity. This article is Chopped & Screwed

[Kurt]

I seem to be at a loss here, but I watched the Allen interview and he definitely stated on numerous occasions that Simms arm was sore. Why now is it an admition; Like they were trying to hide something before? The doctors have cleared him to play. So Stroud, how is this Allen lying the TB community? You are trying to bamboozle our front office. You have a double standard by making Allen look bad for being vague about certain things, yet you won't disclose your sources half the time. How do we know you are being honest about your claims? Hell, Simms says he never heard of your prognosis before. Luckily, I don't expect anything less from journalists these days; integrity left with Cronkite.

[Steve]

remarkable

Stroud's article yesterday was inaccurate to the point in which a REPORTER for the St. Pete Times did not know that a QB who the writer insisted hadn't practiced had practiced. In addition the writer came up with a condition which Simms "has" which he then changed to "has symptoms" of to cover his behind in all likelihood. Then, he comes to the conclusion that Allen "admits" that Simms had a sore elbow when Allen mentioned this about 5 times yesterday.

This is journalism? No wonder I don't spend any money on the print edition.

[DR]

You clowns think other teams want Simms? LMAO! Simms will never start an NFL game ever again!
Allen lied about Lynch, lied about Quarles, lied about Rice. And you guys are lying to yourselves if you think the Bucs will be any good this year

[Ray]

Honestly, I would be more inclined to believe the reporter than Allen or Gruden. Just look at thier track record. Remember Lynch or how about Rice being able to pass a physical only days after they said he couldn't. Why is it so hard to believe Simms is having problems, do you not remember he almost died from bleeding internally. And that is the only reason that kept him this long. The only time I can remember him showing any real talent was the day he got hurt. It is the only time he actually looked like an NFL quaterback. And of the QBs we have, none of them are that talented. You could have put Dilfer or Shuan King behind the Eales line last year and they would have done just as good. Garcia is overrated and I can't wait for it to blow up in Grudens face. Hopefully this is the last year we have to deal with either of them.

[Matt]

Ray, Ray, Ray...the NFL is a business, not a social club. You don't keep guys because they're popular, you keep them if you think they can help you win NOW. Does that mean Lynch or Rice or Sapp can't help another team...NO! Does it mean Dungy can't win the Superbowl? Obviously not. What it means is they don't fit the mix you Allen and Gruden feel they need now. It's amazing they were good enough to win the Superbowl and to win the division a couple years ago but, because of injuries and players that don't perform, you want to dump the coach?!?!? That's like saying if you're engine quits running, get a new steering wheel; both are stupid ideas!

[aaron]

simms should not be cut. my how you all have jumped off simms bandwagon. remember the 11-5 year? the dropped pass by edell would have put into the divisional game. yeah, he had a rough start last year. but anybody would have the way our line was playing. they should have been ashamed and should have apologized to chris over and over for what happened. their play was awful. gradkowski is simply horrible. he can scramble but he cant throw worth a damn. why have galloway if you can tget him the ball. bruce has no arm strenght at all when fully healthy. there is a reason he played in the MAC conference in college. for gods sake remember when simms put it all on the line and cotinued to play through the pain? give some love back to the guy. he almost came back and won that game for us. he has guts and the desire. i hope he stays in tampa and gruden and garcia can move on to their next team. bring in cowher. he would be good for simms. look what he did with rothlesburger. and he was a MAC qb too.

[Larry]

People screamed for Gruden and Allens head when they chose Garcia over Simms. Now it seems it was the right choice and you still yell for their heads. Now they are lying, about everything. You can't keep players for sentimental reasons, this is the NFL, tough choices have to be made.It is so easy to sit back with a beer and watch the game and decide what is best for the team. All the coaches who live, study the game year round don't know what they are doing. Remember when coach Dungy was here and every one was calling for his head because he couldn't win the big one? Of course you don't but every one was. Forget Lynch that was years ago! And I am serious ,what team camp is Quarles in? If he was in playing form what team is he going to start for. I honestly missed who he signed with. Simms is not game ready, hopefully he will be fine to back up Garcia. I think the coach has made some good decisions lately. GO BUCS!

[DR]

They knew they wanted Rice to take a pay cut long ago, but they went the disrespectful route.
Aaron, take the rose colored glasses off. That 11-5 playoff year; the Bucs were easily the worst team ever with 10+ wins in a season- Look at their schedule. Oh, and guess what happened when they played a first place shedule the next year, 4-12, and don't blame an injury. You dog out Grad for his rookie year and yet Simms has been playing like one for 4 years. Grad has a future with the right coach, hopefully he'll get a good one next year. Simms will never start another NFL game for any team ever again, and thats not a bad thing for the fans!

[aaron]

gradowski doesnt belong in the nfl. no coach can fix his problem. he is a qb with no arm. he cant throw 25 yards. i dont care if we were a bad 10-6 team, we were 10-6. grads future is with the tampa bay storm. you must be from toledo or something how can you like gradkowski?

[DR]

I don't like Gradkowski, but when compared to Simms, he is better. Simms has proven nothing. People said Montana didn't have an arm too. Not that Gradkowski ever will be a quarter of that talent of Joe, but he'll never get that chance as long as he plays for a team that has proven it cannot develop young talent.