The future for Bucs quarterback Chris Simms is confusing. He has been rumored to be traded to various teams and there's still the chance Phil's Boy could remain with the team.

Not sure if any Bucs fan was listening to Pro Football Weekly’s syndicated radio show (too) early Saturday morning on WDAE-AM 620, but PFW writer Eric Edholm noted that the Bucs had been in talks with Dallas Cowboys coach and owner Jerry Jones about swapping Chris Simms (for what was unsaid) because the Cowboys claim former Bucs Super Bowl-winning quarterback Brad Johnson’s arm is shot; that he can only throw short passes.

Tom Balog of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports the same rumor (though Balog writes Jones declined Bruce Almighty’s request for a mid-round pick). Balog hints that Phil’s Boy may still be on the Bucs roster when the season opens in September.

Maybe even Gruden would be reluctant to part ways with Simms, believe it or not.

Mainly because Simms has been in the Tampa Bay system for so long, also because he’s 6-foot-4, has a strong arm and experience as a starter _ a rare combination that is hard to find in a quarterback.

“A lot of people have seen him play and know why he’s here, too,” Gruden said last week. “We have a lot invested, too. He started in ’04, started in ’05 and in ’06. We have a lot of confidence that he can come back and be a player.”

Joe hates to be a broken record but it bears repeating: Son of Bob is a disaster waiting to happen at quarterback. Phil’s Boy is a much, much, much better option.