Simms still undecided about minicamp

Chris Simms said last night his flight from New Jersey was delayed three hours due to bad weather. His arrival to the Bucs three-day mandatory minicamp may also be late. Or postponed.

Simms said he was undecided whether to attend any of the four workouts scheduled today through Thursday. Last week, the Bucs' beleaguered quarterback put those odds at 50 percent.

Judging from his tone, don't expect Simms to show up this week. He will be subject to a fine. Unlike the Organized Team Activities, these workouts are not voluntary.

The Bucs would like to at least evaluate Simms' physical condition. He claims to be 100 percent healthy.

But Simms has some distrust of the Bucs' organization and you get the feeling he doesn't want them to entertain any ideas of keeping him much longer.

Simms reiterated that he will report to training camp if he still is on the Bucs' roster. In many ways, it's probably best for Simms and the Bucs if he stays away from the club this week. His appearance would just create more distraction.

General manager Bruce Allen has said he wants Simms to compete. The Bucs have five quarterbacks on their roster and it's appearing more likely they will only take four to training camp. If so, that final spot would belong to either Simms or fifth-round pick Josh Johnson.

Frankly, I can't remember a draft pick under Allen being released before training camp. The Bucs feel Simms has some value and would like to trade him for a draft pick or perhaps another player. But the 80-man roster limit for training camp this year is pretty restrictive and keeping five QBs wouldn't make sense.

Last week, Simms said he could no longer play for Gruden. Allen has suggested that it was a ''PR stunt," presumably orchestrated by his agent, Tom Condon. Simms says he simply wants to be released and could no longer keep his silence on the matter.

"I'm not backing down," Simms said.

One player who has not attended the Bucs' off-season workouts will be at the mandatory minicamp today -- running back Earnest Graham.

Graham has missed OTA's before, but it's hard to believe his absence is not somewhat contract-related. What he will discover this week is that Warrick Dunn and Michael Bennett have benefitted from the extra reps they received this off-season. But the competition at the running back position is certainly better with Graham in the mix.

Comments

[John Klopfer]

The Bengals are in bad need of a back-up of quarterback. One article described there back-ups as the worse in football....maybe the Bucs should send Simms to the Bengals. I remember when we sent a first round pick to them for Jack Thompson...maybe they could return the favor.

[DELdaBULL]

Dude is a forth string QB. Who cares!

[DELdaBULL]

Where is Graham's new contract?

[Alex]

He needs to attend camp to prove to the Bucs and anyone else interested in signing that he is healthy. A couple years ago he was faking health, and he has to remove the doubt in everyone's mind.

Klopger- good idea re: Bengals

[DR]

Alex, I agree. Simms is playing his cards wrong right now. He has to prove himself. He's not in the same position as a TO or Chad Johnson or even an Earnest Graham. The Bucs could keep him on the roster and hold his rights and fine him until he's poor. Just show up to camp and do something you haven;'t done in a long, long time...play ball!

[Reid Middlebro]

unfortunately, I agree that he should have come to this camp... I have always liked Simms, I think he has a great future - I just wish it would have been with us. Shoulda showed up, and got his trade value up - it would also allow him to hit the open market and have some film that isn't disasterous...GO BUCS

[Noel (Bahamas)]

I agree as well DR. He should be out there proving to not just the BUCS but other teams that he has solid skills (insert retort here!!). If they release him before training camp at the 80 player cut down deadline, he will have to go out and shop potential clubs....and with the only film of him being from Sept. 2006 when he was throwing darts at the back of his offense line, chances are nobody is going to offer a lot for him. And not to mention he is going to be rusty as hell! Bad move Simms, giving the BUCS no choice but to cut you at the last minute.

[Reid Middlebro]

Hey, maybe he'll show up tomorrow???

[Darren]

Atlanta, Carolina, and New Orleans are the only teams which would be willing to take a chance on Simms. They won't be very interested in his throwing arm. Although they would dissect his knowledge of Tampa's offense.

Don't let Simms get close to our offense, but hang on to him until the final round of cuts.

[mike]

Chris your pride is killing you. I know you went through a terrible injury in a big game. Do not let your pride mess up your life. Please get back to practice your team is waiting for you. Show them who you are. Go in there and beat out Garcia, Griese, & Mc Cown. You can do it. Do not let the agents or any one else stop you. You have been through too much to QUIT NOW. Do not play Politics with any one let Washington Screw that up. They do it well trust me I live (WORK) between the White House & the Capital. I have seen all the Bucs games since 1976. Do not become a looser like the 76 Bucs that everyone still laughs at. Be the winner that you are it is in your blood.

Mike
DC

[JH]

Before this week, there were so many Chris Simms supporters out there. However, his holdout is putting his most avid supporters in a very bad position, and many are questioning his decision-making. Judging by the message boards, many are now asking how can he deserve to be in the QB mix if he won't even compete? Clearly, his decision to skip mandatory mini-camp is eroding his base of fan support.

Judging by recent history with McCardell and Plummer, he should know better than to challenge the Bucs front office. In another report, Bruce Allen indicated that a recent conversation with Simms was "good". Is Simms backing down already? If we can take Allen at his word, why does Simms send mixed messages? The Glazers also have to be very disappointed since they have backed him from the very beginning.