Simms is entering his 3rd year in the NFL and is going into training camp as the Bucs starting QB for the first time in his career. Despite rumors that Jon Gruden was dissapointed with Simms heading into the '05 season, and even considered trading him, Simms stepped in as the Buccanears starter Week 8 after Brian Griese was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
In the 10 games he started, Simms completed 61% of his passes and averaged 196.6 yards and 1 TD pass a game. He also helped guide the Bucs to an 11-5 record, going 6-4 in games he started after a 5-1 start with Griese under center.
Considering what Gruden has accomplished with players like Rich Gannon, Brad Johnson and Brian Griese over the years, it's safe to say Simms finds himself in a good situation. With that said, there are some concerns. Joey Galloway will be 35 this November and despite coming off a career year, he has been prone to injury throughout his career. Michael Clayton followed his outstanding rookie year with a thud last season. Injuries may have been to blame, but will he be able to rebound and be the player he was as a rookie or will last years dissapointing season carry into 2006?
You also have to look at Grudens track record of plugging vets into the starting QB spot and getting production from them. Simms may be atop the depth chart, but if he dissapoints and rubs Gruden the wrong way, the Bucs have Tim Rattay on the bench with a bit of starting expierience over the past few seasons. Rattay came from San Francisco in a trade last season and has expierence with the West Coast Offense. It will be Simms job to lose, but if he gives Rattay an opening Gruden wouldn't hesitate to plug another QB in there.
Is Simms going to find his niche in Gruden's system or will the young QB have some struggles causing Gruden to make a switch? If he retains the starting spot, what type of numbers would you expect?
In the 10 games he started, Simms completed 61% of his passes and averaged 196.6 yards and 1 TD pass a game. He also helped guide the Bucs to an 11-5 record, going 6-4 in games he started after a 5-1 start with Griese under center.
Considering what Gruden has accomplished with players like Rich Gannon, Brad Johnson and Brian Griese over the years, it's safe to say Simms finds himself in a good situation. With that said, there are some concerns. Joey Galloway will be 35 this November and despite coming off a career year, he has been prone to injury throughout his career. Michael Clayton followed his outstanding rookie year with a thud last season. Injuries may have been to blame, but will he be able to rebound and be the player he was as a rookie or will last years dissapointing season carry into 2006?
You also have to look at Grudens track record of plugging vets into the starting QB spot and getting production from them. Simms may be atop the depth chart, but if he dissapoints and rubs Gruden the wrong way, the Bucs have Tim Rattay on the bench with a bit of starting expierience over the past few seasons. Rattay came from San Francisco in a trade last season and has expierence with the West Coast Offense. It will be Simms job to lose, but if he gives Rattay an opening Gruden wouldn't hesitate to plug another QB in there.
Is Simms going to find his niche in Gruden's system or will the young QB have some struggles causing Gruden to make a switch? If he retains the starting spot, what type of numbers would you expect?
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