Graham shows; Simms stays away

As we speculated earlier today, quarterback Chris Simms did not report to the Bucs' mandatory minicamp, which began this morning. (See audio slideshow)

Simms, who has missed the club's voluntary workout program and wants to be released, is now subject to a fine.

As expected, running back Earnest Graham is participating in the three-day minicamp and was one of the first players on the field for stretching.

Comments

[DV]

Simms is unprofessional garbage who will never make it in the NFL.

[Russell]

Glad to hear Graham is there. Maybe he hears a Cadillac getting humming in the distance...

[Jay]

Yeah DV, just like that big jerk Michael Strahan who didn't show at minicap or training camp all last year. What an unprofessional tool bag he is. How about we scrutinize every aspect of your job in the public eye and see how well your public image fares?

[Jim]

I don't think it was ever really an issue with Graham, If Chris is gonna be cut anyway, why fine him,,I wouldn't bother at all if I were the Bucs, but I do think they need to close the chapter on Simms sooner rather than later, funny though how if a starter gets hurt in the first few weeks how much Simms value could increase.

[Sharon]

You can't blame Simms. Put the blame where it belongs on Gruden and Allen. They should let Simms go so he can get a life. Gruden has never liked Simms and does things out of spite. If anyone is unprofessional, it is Gruden.

[DELdaBULL]

Jay are you comparing a 4th string QB to a Hall of Fame DE? I am just looking for some clarity. Who cares if Simms does not show up.

[Kathy]

Simms may have a gripe with management but you never ever show that to the the fan base, Its very unprofessional and unbecomming as a person. Do the job you are paid to do unless told otherwise.

[NINJA]

DELdaBULL, you beat me to it... What a stretch to compare Simms to Strahan. And Sharon, STOP! JUST STOP! We are so tired of hearing all the displaced Gruden bashing. If you'd follow the situation, you'd realize Gruden tried to let him go ages ago. He tried to do what was best for everyone. His bosses wouldn't have it. And quit all the Gruden bashing... Get on board, OR GET OFF OF THE TEAM!!!

[TS]

Good - maybe the Bucs can get back some of the money they paid him over the last couple of years for doing nothing. The Bucs have absolutely handled Simms the right way. I think Simms needs to stop and reflect how the Bucs handled the McCardell situation (they also handled this the right way) and report to camp. Look how much McCardell lost in the end. Simms' hold out is actually benefitting the Bucs as they can now start fining him and not have to worry about and having an injury that could cost them in terms of an injury settlement or reducing any trade value he has

[TampaCyber]

Sharon, Your continued slanted perception of Gruden and Allen is giving all Sharon's a bad name. I have been forced to post under an alias so I am not mistaken for you and your inept arguments. You state "you can't blame Simms" oh come on, have you ever had a job where you hated your boss, but went to work anyway....cause that is your job. Simms is proving he is nothing more than an overpaid whiner. If he came to came to camp and showed he is as good as he thinks he is, Gruden may have been forced to keep him, or other teams would have gotten a look at him, but his actions are saying something different. He wants the Bucs to release him and other teams to pick him up on performances that are now two years old and were never that good to begin with. Not happening if it is a good team with a good GM. Hey, maybe Atlanta has a spot, even if Rich is not the GM anymore I am sure he still has influence.

[JR]

Didn't Simms say he was going to report for the mandatory stuff?

[Herb]

DellDaBull.. i think Jay was being sarcastic....

[Matt]

If Simms is as good as he thinks he is, he needs to grow a set - and get to mini-camp and beat out Garcia for the starting job.

If Simms completed 75% of his passes, hit Galloway and Jackson deep, and stopped throwing passes into the linemen - Gruden would love him.

If not he's nothing more than a 4th string QB that is afraid to compete.

[Tony]

For those that think shouldn't be fined because he will be released anyway...wake up!! YES HE SHOULD BE FINED!!! By not showing up for mandatory team activities he is affecting his worth, which in turn affects the Bucs ability to trade him. So yes, fine him, Simms has decided to put on the big boy pants and take a hard stance. He will have to live with it.

[Pete]

Fine him, fine him some more and keep him until we get a pick for him. Tired of these whining players....

He has been paid quite well to sit and shut up!

What has he done for the organization today?

[Jay]

I'm sick of these players. You get paid tons of money show up or get fired on the spot.

[Big Dawg]

Obviously Sims is upset at the re-signing of TE Stevens.

It's Gruden's fault that Graham is there. Fire him. I'm screaming for everyone to boycott FanFest! What? Oh ... I was getting tanked

[Will]

Simms not showing up to camp? Has he sent back any of those paychecks he's been getting from the Bucs, these last couple of years?

[MM]

What has Gruden done so great for the Bucs? He hasn't brought us to the SuperBowl oh excure me he walked in to a winning team that Dungy trained. Other then this he prob has one more year to do something or he might just need to get the boot himself!

[Dave]

Dave - please stop it. Stop the Gruden bashing. You're making a fool of yourself with your uninformed blabbing.

[MM]

Tampa Cyper... you don't know what Gruden said to him or how rude he was to Simms! He looks like he can be "not so nice" And no one has to go to work and be verbally abused! I know I wouldn't! There are pleny of other jobs out there just as there are plenty of other football teams that Simms can go to. And not have to deal with the BS!

Just

[Jay]

Thanks Herb. I guess some people don't always get me.

[dan]

John Gruden is a gutless cowardly liar. He has consistently lied to his players saying one thing and delivering the opposite. He utter lacks class and integrity. And I will never understand the player bashing. They are the ones playing, not the coaches, they are the ones risking their health, not the coaches. Like it or not its a freeagent world, and people need to learn to look out for themselves and not some bogus "team" that will lie and sell you out if it suits them.

[Scott B]

Sissy Simms thinks he's being held hostage??? If he was smart he'd be happy if he could be the third string QB of the Bucs. Daunte Culpepper has career completion percentage (63.8) and passer rating (89.9) which rivals those of perennial Pro Bowlers Donovan McNabb and Carson Palmer and is unsigned. So is Byron Leftwich. These are two proven starters in the league and Simms thinks he's better?!?

[TampaCyber]

MM, your kidding right......rude, not so nice. This is football we are discussing, not a book club.....

[Jim]

Redo Graham's contract for this year. Its not to much to ask. Their are plenty of ways of making it right and justified.

[MM]

Tampa Cyper... since I didn't want to use the words I really wanted to use I chose to be "proper"! But I am sure that Gruden has a book club you can join??? maybe... ??? LOL

Melissa

[Yourmamma]

MM,

You are a compltete idiot!! Shut Up!!

[MM]

Ahhhh can't take the heat you big football fan you! LOL HA GET OVER IT!

[Valrico Rick]

Simms almost died playing for the Bucs, and you guys act like he has done nothing at all but take money. Back in 2005 he led the Bucs to the playoffs, and then placed a perfect pass in the hands of Edell Sheppard that would have changed the outcome of the wild card game against Washington, but Sheppard dropped it. I am so glad I don't know any of you heartless people. Why don't you go beat your girlfriend or kick your dog! Man you guys are the garbage in this town!!!

[Steve A]

MM quick question for you . How many players started in the superbowl for the Buccs that never took a snap under Tony Dungy?..........I can here a ticking noise. Well the answer for you and any other moron who wants to use the dungy argument is 6 that is 25% of the starting team. There were a further 20 yes 20 players who played for the buccs that year who were never coached by Dungy. Ok finally just so you know a Tonhy Dungy defense in Tampa was never NEVER ranked number one in the league. 2002 was the first year. Oh and who did the Buccs beat that year in the superbowl? didnt he have something to do with them to?

[TampaCyber]

Steve, stop using facts you will confuse them......

[MM]

Gruden has only won one Superbowl... again it was a team that Dungy had molded! So say and throw your numbers around all you want!Dungy will always be more well respected in Tampa then Gruden ever will!

They still priase the man and he's been gone for several yrs now!

[Nate]

Led them to the playoffs...right.

Yeah, I really don't get our fans. Everybody wants to go back to Simms' "great" year in 2005, when he "led the Bucs to the playoffs," and they somehow forgot that he was 6-5. And then followed it up with 0-3. Spleen injury or not, the dude was 6-8.

And yet nobody wants to go back to the first part of 2005, when Griese was the 5-1 starter.

But what are we hearing? "Why'd the Bucs trade for Griese? He couldn't unseat Grossman!!" and "Why won't the Bucs pay Simms? He gave his life for this team!!" Seriously, what is wrong with your brains? You want to throw millions at a whining 6-8 starter and complain about signing a barely-paid 5-1 starter for us over the same scope of time?

I seriously hope none of you idiots are managers of the companies in which I invest.

And great comment, Scott B. Simms is in for a rude awakening.

[Nate]

There's also good reasons why I don't manage companies I invest in either. I meant to say that the cries are to give Simms what he wants, not get paid. Obviously, he's not interested in getting paid by Tampa. He jus wants out. My bad.

I still wouldn't give that whiner an inch on this. He's lied in the media and attempted to tarnish the only team that was willing to spend a draft pick on him through three rounds. Enjoy your time as a $2 million hostage.

[Steve A]

MM you asked what Gruden had done I simply answered your question. Numbers prove arguments and if you original argument was Dungy is more respected then make him mayor. If you wanted a coach to win the superbowl and three other division titles with no money or draft picks then Gruden is your man.

[yourmamma]

MM,

You are still a Complete Idiot!!
Go Away!!

[AL]

MM ruined it. I was hoping to read one entire blog and not read dungy's name. I bet MM still relives his glorious high school days because nothing better has happened to him yet. And just for the record "dungy couldnt win with dungy's team". Like Warren Sapp said, Gruden's coaching won them the super bowl.

[Tom]

Dungy won the Super Bowl with Tom Moore's team.

[Jonathan]

I'm not huge Gruden fan, but Simms is being a child. He made $5 mil last year to jog on a treadmill for 8 months. He should suck it up and come show the world just how healed he is. Former league MVP Shaun Alexander is still sitting at home waiting for a team to give him a phone call and this kid is crying about the Bucs wanting to see what is value is? He should be careful what he wishes for because I don't think there is a big pay day waiting for him anywhere if the Bucs grant his wish and cut him.

[Noel (Bahamas)]

I agree with those that say Simms should be fined. He was paid a lot of money to do nothing last year. Most teams would have cut him last year and he would have been out of football last year. And someone brought up the point that Daunte Culpepper and Byron Leftwich are sitting at home right now WISHING they had a shot at starting for a team. Simms is going to come to the reality that he had it good here....had he shown up at camp and the OTA's, and he is as good as he thinks he is, he could unseat Garcia as the starter...but, how can you prove yourself and unseat the starter that took us to the NFC south title last year sitting on your couch at home? Fine him until the mandatory 80 player cut down date, that way they can recoup something from the money they paid him. Unfortunately for Simms, his approach to this is going to land him at some discount payrate with a team and no time to learn their playbook, giving him almost NO shot at evening making a back-up position with another team....guess he is going to be watching games this fall just like me...at home on the couch.

[Scott]

Jay, your comment (the third from the top) is a little annoying. DV (although rediculously harsh)has the right to criticize someone who makes his money as an entertainer and depends on public attention to make money. If the DV's of the world did not exist (i.e., if nobody cared about this story or football), Simms would not make money, nor would any football player. DV, like most of us, probably does not make millions based on public attention and scrutiny. There is a big difference and anyone in that business should understand this.....

[Erie Eddy]

The last time I looked, Simms got paid $5 million last season for doing nothing. So what if Gruden wanted to cut him. He is still under contract and should quit acting like the spoiled brat he is! The business side of football says hold onto him as long as needed to maximize his value. Who knows, Griese and Garcia could both go down the first week of practice or sooner as McNown did in 2006. Or the same could happen to some other team and then Simms may be worth a 4th round pick, especially at his $2 million number this season.

[Jay]

Scott, I understand where you're coming from, and can see how that would be taken that way. My point is that while these athletes are highly compensated for their potential, (not their performance), it does not merit the kind of vitriolic responses that tend to come from people when discussing Simms and his role with the Bucs.

I ask people such as DV to take a step back and see if they would endure the scrutiny and personal attacks. The usual response is "but he's paid really well", or "he's an entertainer" which is a total cop out. There are plenty of well paid CEO's, business managers and other public figures who do not face this kind of hate when their performance or negotiations are in play. It's a double standard of fan behavior that I find disturbing.

[Darren]

Why should we do our rivals the favor of cutting Simms before the final round of cuts in the preseason? Atlanta, Carolina, and New Orleans' offenses could use a backup QB, but all of their defenses would kill to get a Benedict Arnold who knows the Bucs offense. Hang on to Simms until the last round to limit his damage.

Don't fine him if he wants to stay home (that is the thanks for the service), but keep him away from the offense if he ever shows up.

[DV]

Jay, when Simms is a HOF bound, record setting pro athlete, then your logic will be valid (and so it never will)! And oh by the way, my job does have much to do with public oppinion as I am in our military, and I do just fine, thank you. If Simms were to handle this professionally, he would man up and do what he gets paid to do... and that's show up to work and be the best.

[DV]

By not showing up he is admitting to everyone, including prospective future employers, that even he doesn't think he is good enough to be the #1 QB. Prove your worth, or get out of the business. And as far as the spleen issue, tough break, but that's a risk you take playing this game, and in no way entitles you to free hand outs. You should be on your knees thanking the Bucs for overpaying you like they did, be thankful for the free handout you did get.

[Bucs Fan]

Jay, behavior that you find disturbing? I'm sure you could poll Americans and they will overwelming say they "hate" CEO's from dozens of companies ranging from Oil, car manufacturers, Airlines, mortgage firms and countless other industries that thrive on cutting back jobs and raising prices to increase profits and pad their pockets. By bringing up "public figures" I can assume you would include politicians, and I know there are millions of people that hate "certain" politicians that are currently in office and running for office for what they have done or plan to do.

[DR]

Jay, let's keep the real world out of this. I mean, the truth is, every athlete and entertainer is well overpaid. They get millions of dollars to play a game. You are right, though. If these people who complain about players who get over paid realize how much money bank CEO's, oil business chumps, and many other well over paid organizations, not to mention politicians, they may have a heart attack. At least athletes provide entertainment for us. The oil and bank execs, and the majority of politicians provide nothing for society. They might as well be dead. Maybe they will help society through death.

[Bucs Fan]

wow DR. That is an intense way to look at it...