Under control, on top of his game
With Brad Johnson as a role model, Bucs QB Chris Simms takes fewer risks - and avoids mistakes.
By RICK STROUD
Published December 14, 2005
TAMPA - To an inexperienced quarterback like Chris Simms, it is the highest praise.
To a graying veteran, it can sound like a backhanded compliment.
He really knows how to manage the game.
In the past five weeks, Simms has gone from the big-armed kid mocked for being wild to one with assassin's accuracy. Roger Clemens turned Greg Maddux.
The Bucs have gone 4-1, the same as Simms' touchdown to interception ratio during that stretch. In fact, he has thrown one pick in his past 126 passes.
Nearly 1,600 miles away, the quarterback Simms calls "the best tutor I've had to this point," has won six straight games since taking over for the Minnesota Vikings.
They watch each other from a distance, but their approach to winning games has never been closer.
"Brad Johnson was huge to me," Simms said. "Just as far as following what he does as an example. He was always an old wily veteran. He would always put his two cents in when we were sitting in the quarterback room, maybe it was just us alone, and he'd give his little advice every day and I just always found it to be so helpful.
"It's taught me a whole lot, because I came from the school of gunslinger, gunslinger, gunslinger. It taught me a whole lot to realize you don't have to make big plays in this league to always win games."
Simms has had plenty of influences in his career, starting with his father, Giants Super Bowl quarterback Phil Simms. Jon Gruden, Paul Hackett and Brian Griese all worship at the temple of fewer turnovers.
But Simms credits watching Johnson for helping him understand it takes more than a grip-it-and-rip-it mentality.
Johnson, 37, who has the Vikings back in playoff contention at 8-5, is thrilled about Simms' success.
"That system is not for a young guy," Johnson said of Simms, 25. "For him to be playing as well as he is, it's awesome to watch. The game against Carolina, he missed one deep throw and it was dropped. Every other throw was 200 Jet smoke, X under or Slant Flat. He got the first downs, managed the game and did not turn the ball over. I thought he played a good game.
"If you can learn that system, you can play in any system. There's so much more to playing quarterback than purely throwing the ball. It's managing your huddle, dealing with good, the bad, the media, the whole organization. It seems like he's handled it very well."
Against the Panthers, Simms completed 20 of 27 passes for 138 yards and had four passes dropped. He passed for 123 yards in a win against the Saints and 119 yards in a victory at Atlanta. Trading big numbers for W's is what quarterbacking in the NFL is all about.
"The frantic guy we saw against San Francisco, some of the uncertainty we saw against Carolina the first time, is beginning to dissipate," Hackett said. "It's beginning to go off to the side. That doesn't mean it won't rear its head once in awhile, but I think what we're seeing is a guy more comfortable in his role now.
"I don't think you can underestimate the atmosphere that a young guy gets put into. And he's now had three full years. And what Brad Johnson is doing now in Minnesota, Chris saw that. He saw how Brad managed things. Brian is different than Brad. Chris is different from Brian. But he's had the summation of the experiences."
One such experience came in 2003. Johnson took a practice off and backup Shaun King had a sprained ankle, leaving Simms as the only quarterback to take the first-team and scout squad reps.
"The first snap, he fumbled," Johnson said. "The next snap, he threw an interception. The next one, he messed up the snap count and Jon got rid of him. He made Shaun finish the practice even though he was hurt. I told Chris, "You don't realize it, but that's the best thing that ever happened to you. That's what can happen in a game.' You want to play, you say, "I'm ready,' and your heart is beating fast. Then you throw a pick and it's over. You never get another chance. It happens that fast."
It's no coincidence that Simms' improvement parallels that of the running game, which has averaged 111 yards during the past five games.
"He's done a good job," Gruden said. "Let's give him credit on his decisionmaking. Sometimes, the best play you can make is throw the ball away. You hate to admit that as a coach sometimes, but he's done a good job of that. He's been resourceful (with) his audibles. He's throwing the ball a bit earlier, with better anticipation. We've run the ball better, and we run the ball more."
In other words, it's not unlike the formula Johnson used to take the Bucs to a Super Bowl victory three years ago. But Johnson said people should be careful not to put too many expectations on Simms.
"He's very talented, but it's too early to judge someone this early in his career," Johnson said. "I don't think you can judge Chris for another two years, whether he goes to a Super Bowl or if they don't make the playoffs. But what he's doing right now is awesome."