It's now or maybe never for Simms
By GARY SHELTON
Published October 17, 2005
TAMPA - If this is his time, as the limp in Brian Griese's gait suggests, then Chris Simms will have to do more.
If this is his team, as the look on Jon Gruden's face implies, then Chris Simms will have to be more.
For now, the co-pilot is in charge of the flight. Fasten your seat belt and lock your tray table into an upright position. Indications are that it will be up to the kid to bring the plane down safely.
Simms stood in front of his locker, his face flushed by fresh success, his enthusiasm squeezing his words out a little too quickly for the dozens of reporters gathered around. The next locker over, Griese's locker, was empty, abandoned.
There, in the contrast between hope and hurt, was the image of the Bucs' quarterback position as Tampa Bay heads into its bye week.
Griese injured his knee in the second quarter Sunday, and while no one will say out loud just how serious the injury is, the tone in the locker room was solemn, as if the answer is "very." The fear is Griese injured his anterior cruciate ligament, which could knock him out for weeks if not for the season.
All of which thrusts a recovering football team and its 5-1 beginning into the hands of Simms.
And frankly, isn't it high time we learned whether Simms can play?
So far, let's face it, the evidence is sketchy. We have seen that Simms brings a little sizzle into the huddle. His arm has life, his feet have quickness, and his bloodlines have pedigree. To date, however, and Simms will be the first to tell you this, no one has seen enough to get a feel for him.
Take Sunday afternoon, for instance. Against the Dolphins, Simms was a guest star. He was a relief pitcher. Let's face it: Other than one drive, he was a valet. He took snaps very well, an improvement over a year ago, and he handed off well. The questions didn't get much more difficult than that.
"If I was sitting on the 50," Simms said, "I would think "Chris Simms did some good things. He made a couple of plays with his feet, and he made some good throws down the field on the only drive he was really needed.' Other than that, I wouldn't jump to too many conclusions."
Oh, don't sell Simms short. He had one excellent drive, shortly after the Dolphins' second field goal cut the Bucs' lead to 10-6. Simms hit six straight passes for 69 yards to lead his team downfield, dancing around the pocket before hitting tight end Anthony Becht on one throw, touching in a pass to Alex Smith (which was nullified by penalty) on another, throwing a dart to Michael Clayton on another. Simms got away with a poor decision to throw into coverage on third down, and after the ensuing field goal, he never threw again.
One drive isn't a lot to judge a quarterback, but for some fans, it will be plenty. Even before the Dolphins game, there were some who had seen plenty of Griese. At the time of his injury, however, Griese was playing well. He had avoided the mistakes that had plagued him through the first five weeks, and he had completed 12 of 16 passes for 120 yards.
On his last pass, Simms was watching the coverage downfield and never saw the Dolphins' Zach Thomas roll into Griese's left leg. It was only when teammates started calling his name that Simms realized he was going into the game.
Strange how things work. Just over a year ago, Gruden saw something in Simms that made him pick Simms to start ahead of Griese against New Orleans. Simms hurt his shoulder late in the first period, however, and Griese took over. Griese has been the unchallenged starter since.
Now, Griese's injury seems to have opened the door for Simms. We will see whether Simms is renting the position or buying it.
It is time the Bucs found out. Some quarterbacks are forced to start too young, and some are forced to wait until it is too late. Simms is 25, in his third year. If a quarterback is going to be special, he needs to declare it by then. The Bucs still don't know if Simms is a colt, prone to mistakes and to watching too many drives end in field goals, or if he is a talent who only now is ripening.
Gruden liked what he saw Sunday. He says that compared to last year, Simms seems like a more mature quarterback.
"Yeah, he does," Gruden said. "He's been humbled a little bit. He's got a respect for the NFL. It's not just "I'm going to drop back here and rip it to (former Texas teammate) Roy Williams and I'm going to show you how great my physical traits are.'
"He's got great charisma. He really does have intelligence and style. Whether he can sustain it and become a great quarterback, we'll see. We're sure going to try to help him."
A change would mean adjustment. Simms is left-handed, which changes formations and protections. Simms lacks Griese's experience and his ability to audible.
"If he's the quarterback, you've got to let him put his signature on the team," Gruden said. "The huddle will be wired differently. The plays will be different."
Even the play calls will be different, Gruden said.
"You will have to be a ventriloquist or from the house of Babel to call a play," Gruden said.
From now on, it appears, Simms will have to translate. He was the last player to leave the locker room Sunday, wearing a gold shirt and gold pants to match the opportunity. Just before he left, he reached into his locker and grabbed his watch.
After all, this might be his time.
After all, this might be his team.