Veteran QB Brad Johnson might have played his last game for the Bucs, who will start Chris Simms on Sunday.
By RICK STROUD and JOANNE KORTH
Published October 6, 2004
TAMPA - The NFL's oldest team appears ready to turn over a stagnant season to its kid quarterback.
Chris Simms will make his first career start for the Bucs Sunday at New Orleans, a move that could signal the end for Super Bowl quarterback Brad Johnson in Tampa Bay.
Simms, 24, replaced Johnson, 36, after 15 plays in the Bucs' 10-6 loss to the Seahawks two weeks ago at Raymond James Stadium. He led the Bucs to a pair of field goals but lost a fumble and threw a game-sealing interception.
But with playoff possibilities virtually dashed at 0-4, coach Jon Gruden has decided to trade Johnson for Simms, a sharpshooter for a gunslinger, steady for spectacular, expertise for exuberance.
Johnson, who had started all 49 games he played in for the Bucs, would not say whether he supported the decision.
"I think all the focus needs to be on Chris Simms now," Johnson said Tuesday when reached at his home in Tallahassee.
With Johnson set to earn $5.75-million next season, it is unlikely he will return to Tampa Bay in 2005. The Bucs could explore trading the 13-year veteran before the Oct. 19 deadline. But as a vested veteran, any trade of Johnson could have severe salary cap ramifications for the Bucs.
Neither Simms nor Gruden were available for comment, but the coach informed his quarterbacks of his decision Tuesday.
By turning over the huddle to Simms, Gruden officially signalled a youth movement on offense. In Sunday's 16-13 loss to Denver, he substituted receiver Michael Clayton (21) for Tim Brown (38), tackle Kenyatta Walker (25) for Todd Steussie (33), tight end Will Heller (23) for Ken Dilger (33) and running back Michael Pittman (29) for Charlie Garner (34) - moves that made the offense a collective 40 years younger.
Johnson, who has lost 13 of 20 starts since the Super Bowl, is the 12th rated quarterback in the NFC. In four games, he completed 63.1 percent of his passes for 674 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions and was sacked eight times.
Simms will give the Bucs a stronger arm and more mobility, but he also could continue to struggle with his decision-making and ball security. In his NFL debut, Simms was 21-of-32 for 175 yards and was sacked four times.
Even so, Simms could add some life to an offense that is ranked 26th in the NFL and next-to-last in scoring.
"What (Simms) brings to the table, he's a gunslinger," Clayton said. "He can throw the ball down the field. It really becomes a threat to the defense when you have a quarterback of that stature. They really have to respect it because he can definitely throw it down the field at any given time. I'm just happy for him. I'm just finding out about it. I'm definitely going to give him a call."
By naming Simms the starter at New Orleans, Gruden again passed over free agent Brian Griese, who was the No. 2 quarterback Sunday against Denver.
Gruden hinted at a quarterback change in Monday's news conference after failing to endorse Johnson as the starter against the Saints. He told Johnson he was contemplating a change Monday morning.
"You can make a case for Chris Simms," Gruden said Monday. "You can make a case for all the young guys. That's a good thing for a change around here, to have some young guys that people are excited about."
Certainly, Simms-to-Clayton is a combination Bucs fans hope to see a lot more of in the future. Clayton is coming off a game in which he caught four passes for 91 yards - including his first NFL touchdown on a 51-yard reception from Johnson.
"It's special," Clayton said. "Two young guys hooking up trying to become faces on this team, faces in Tampa and eventually the face of the NFL because hopefully we can put something together. I'm pretty sure we can get it done. ... Everybody is going to back him up. I know Brad is going to be supportive and hopefully soon we can get a victory."
CLAYTON NOMINATED: Clayton is among five candidates for NFL Rookie of the Week honors with Bills receiver Lee Evans, Rams running back Steve Jackson, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Ravens punt returner B.J. Sams. Fans can vote at NFL.com through Thursday afternoon.
