Chris Simms’ loose lips
July 23rd, 2008 by Eric Snider in Urban ExplorationsChris Simms, the dude don’t give a fuck. The Bucs quarterback — for so long a good, obedient soldier — talked out of school not long ago. He told the St. Pete Times that GM Bruce Allen had asked him how he thought Brett Favre would fit in as a Tampa Bay quarterback.
This is some deep inside stuff, and it would certainly seem that the Bucs did not want it getting out that they had an interest in Favre (even though speculation had been rampant among sports pundits).
The QB situation is delicate enough with incumbent Jeff Garcia already disgruntled about not getting a new contract. All the tempestuous Garcia needs is to know that the Bucs are giving the legendary Packers signal caller some real consideration.
Yet here was Simms giving it up to the press. He wants out — the QB said earlier this year that his relationship with Coach Jon Gruden is irreparable — so this may have been just another gambit toward pissing team off management enough so that they’ll release him.
Everyone knows football is a ruthless business, but even by cutthroat standards, Simms has been kicked around pretty good by the Bucs.
Hell, he gave a spleen to the team (in a near-death injury). After trying to return last year, but encountering deep physical problems, he was quickly thrown onto the discard pile. Yet the Bucs won’t release Simms to sign with another team, figuring he can be QB insurance or could perhaps have some value in a trade.
Good for Simms for blabbing. The Bucs are fucking with him, and he’s fucking them back the best he can. Whether it’ll help expedite his release — that’s another matter.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I have always liked Simms, and think he comes off as a quality guy in interviews. That’s why it’s no surprise that he’s butting heads with the Allen/Gruden Axis of Evil.
What do you think, Mr. Snider: Did the Bucs playoff appearance last year insulate Gruden from the replacement rumor mill for the 2008-’09 season, or are we going to be discussing coaching options if the season goes south by November?
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I like Simms as a human being quite a bit. But the spllen thing has deified him a little bit as to how good he really is. Go all the back to college and he still wasn’t even the best QB on his team. He’s got moxie, but I don’t think the nerve. He’s got a cannon of an arm, but is too squirrelly in the pocket and has a horrible habit of just sitting there patting the ball and staring down his receivers. That’s why he has so many balls batted down.
He was already paid quite well (thanks to the Glazers) for his near-death injury and to basically hang out on the couch last season.
If he’s still under contract and getting paid, he just needs to shut up and report to camp. All the talking isn’t making him look any better to other potential employers. It’s probably also not getting anything worked out any faster. This is the team that preferred to just pay Keyshawn a boatload of money to just stay away.
If they really have no intention of ever using him, I agree he should be traded or cut, but I think they’re holding on to him for til they’re sure AND as insurance in case Garcia breaks down and Greise has another accident in the shower.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Take Favre, do it tomorrow. End my misery.
This is a hell of a blog by the way. Kudos.
July 24th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Yes, Joe, I think Gruden is wrapped in insulation for this season (barring something like 3-13.
David, I agree with almost everything you say. I don’t think Simms is the future, and I think, in spite of being lied too and fucked with, he is being paid handsomely. I still like the fact that he’s become a canary, even though he’s probably not helping himself.
And Alex, I wouldn’t mind seeing Favre down here at all. And thanks for the kudos on the blog