The latest on Simms

Chris Simms didn't play Saturday night in Jacksonville but said he hopes to be able to get some time against the Dolphins this week.

He said he sees tangible signs of progress in his effort to return to form nearly a year after suffering a ruptured spleen in Week 3 of the 2006 season.

"It's sometimes hard to tell day to day," he said, ". . . but I just feel like a I have a little more control over my body."

Maybe the most interesting thing he said was this, when asked if he is injured: "I'm 100 percent healthy. I'm not injured. Now, am I 100 percent recovered? I think it's a matter of getting my body back to the way it was."

There's some gray area there, but if you listen carefully, it's clear Simms isn't himself as a result of his injury. The problem is, the injury occurred last season, and that fact alone might be enough to eliminate any liability for the franchise.

Comments

[Dru]

Well, this self admission is good for the Bucs because when they release him he can't file a medical grievance against the team. The truth of it all is that he wasn't very good before his injury, he had "potential" to be good, but never progressed. Of course, the injury doesn't help the progression, but you can't continue to take a wait and see approach. The Bucs should do him a favor and release him now so maybe he can get an opportunity with another team before the preseaon ends, that would be the respectful thing to do and he isn't better than their top 3 which seems to be set right now.

[tunamanz]

JUST CUT HIM ALREADY!

[Kevin]

Whether he's fully recovered or not, whether he's ready to play or not, Simms has been treated horribly by Gruden and by extension, the entire Bucs organization.

This is a kid who led us to the playoffs after coming off the bench only two years ago. All indications are that he can be a long term starter somewhere in this league. And he left an ORGAN on the field for this team, fercryinoutloud! What does he get for his trouble? A little deference? Respect? Reasonable time to recover from his almost unprecedented injury? No. He gets constant and very public criticism from Gruden. Where it comes to QBs, Gruden is as fickle as a 12 year-old girl. He only wants the one he doesn't have.

Hopefully, Simms will end up playing for a division rival (like Atlanta, perhaps?) and will be coming to Ray James to school Gruden once a year. And we, the fans, will be left asking, "Why did we let this kid go, again?

[Bill]

This is a business ... MUCH better players have been treated far worse than Simms.
Sure, some of the CASUAL fans will be upset if Simms is let go .. and some will openly hope to cheer him on against our hometown guys (sit down Kevin) --- this guy was a marginal talent prior to the injury ... now he's damaged goods.
Adios Simms

[derek]

you should all be ashamed to talk about simms like this... like it or not he laid it all on the line for us (literally) and has been loyal and taken crap from everyone from gruden,media,fans,etc... if he was a superstar or free agent scrub any athlete deserves time to recover correctly and compete for a spot

[Kim bartlett]

Its a shame this kid will beat us Twice a year and then. Be the one to knock us out of the playoffs

[Tom]

Chris, take your $5 million and run. Forget Gruden. Get healthy and get with a good team with a good offensive line and a good offensive coach. Remember you can only go up young man!

[CJ Swann]

Yup, he might not realize it now, but getting far far away from Gruden is probably the best thing the kid can do for himself at this point. He's done in Tampa, but not in the league. Definitely believe he's got a lot to give when he gets back to where he was and beyond.

[Sarcasmo]

"He laid it all on the line for us!" How dramatic. And here I had been thinking that fame, glory, and his multi-million dollar salary may have had something to do with it. But, no; turns out he's some kind of football philanthropist.

[Skylar]

How have we treated this guy badly? He should have been cut weeks ago and they have been very nice letting him hang around the facility and try to get back into shape. He took a very good team and went 6-10 as a starter. We had the best defensive effort in a loss in NFL playoff history! Doesn't anybody remember how painful that loss was? And why? Because Simms couldn't get the ball over the line of scrimmage! Does anybody remember why we sucked so bad last season? That 0-3 start with 8 int's and 1 td sure didn't help now did it? If he's got such a great arm, how come Gradkowski threw more 40+ yd receptions last year as a rookie in 11 games than any QB in Bucs history? I respect his effort, but he doesn't have the brain to play QB in the NFL. It takes quick decision making which even Greise looked like a pro-bowler the year he got hurt and Simms took over. Let's move on and hope he has a happy and healthy life on the millions he weasled from us.

[DR]

Skylar, you're exactly right. Simms being treated badly? Are you guys kidding me? Lynch, McCardell, Quarles, Rice were all treated worse. Hell, I think Keyshawn was treated worse than Simms! At least those players had proven themselves and were great players. Simms hasn't done anything in the NFL. Leaving an organ on the field makes him a superstar? Rice left his shoulder on the field after dozens of sacks for the team and was treated like rotten meat. He should have been given time to heal after all that he has done for the team. Simms has been and always will be a subpar quarterback who will get you nowhere in the NFL. I feel sorry for any team that picks him up.

[Tom]

Chris, try to get with a coach like Lovie Smith. He did not publicly rip his QB apart last night after the QB mishandled a snap or two, fumbled and threw an interception. Lovie treats his players like human beings and thats what you need right now, Chris. I think the Glazers ought to wake up and realize that all Gruden has done was destroy the Bucs organization as a whole.

[Jason]

Oh man, trade him to Atlanta so we have someone to beat up on twice a year. I mean, with either Simms or Harrington behind the wheel, the Falcons would be a ten-car pileup waiting to happen. Just be glad they're in our division.

Now that Trotter's on the open market, is he someone the Bucs should go after?

[Clint]

I too think Simms should go or re- negotiate a lower contract. I feel that the real problem is the General Manager and most of its coaching staff.(Bar Kiffin) Its time to let go of these people and go in a new direction.

[Skylar]

I don't think Trotter is a good fit for the cover 2, but if we are going to be giving some 3-4 looks, he may be a one down LB to fill the A-gap worth a look.

[Kim bartlett]

I sure am glad these people cant hire and
fire We would be at very bottom of league
if they could. Fans you watch, they play,
Gruden Coaches

[Kim bartlett]

I sure am glad these people cant hire and
fire We would be at very bottom of league
if they could. Fans you watch, they play,
Gruden Coaches