Chris Simms’ Failure Not Chucky’s Fault
February 6th, 2011
One of the main reasons why Team Glazer jettisoned Chucky with years left on his multimillion dollar salary was that Chucky could not develop or refused to develop a franchise quarterback.
Well, that may not have been Chucky’s fault, per Steve Wyche of NFL.com.
Per Wyche, the reason why Simms failed in Tampa Bay was not because he wasn’t tough enough or that that he didn’t have the physical skills to do so. Per Wyche, Simms is not and was not a leader of men, so he wrote in a recent chat on NFL.com.
Jason, Tampa
I noticed on NFL Network you said Chris Simms played well at times but he couldnt inspire the other guys in the huddle? What did you mean by this other than that he played well but lost so you didnt want to give him credit?Steve Wyche, NFL.com
Jason, this is a fairly common element of some quarterbacks. They have skill to make the plays but they don’t have the ‘moxie’ to make everyone want to lay everything on the line for them. Joey Harrington is a prime example. He had all the skills and ability but teammates were never overly convinced that he was totally into it and could make all the plays. On the flip side, teammates would run through a wall for Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers.
This is an interesting comment. Notice how Bucs players openly revere current Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman. You can tell that not only do they respect Freeman, but it appears they will run through the proverbial wall for him.
Though Joe never heard anything negative about Simms from other players, Joe never got the impression that he was their undisputed leader either.
On a separate note, Wyche better be careful. Phil Simms might try to punch him.
February 6th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Steve ‘5-2’ Wyche knows nothing.
Gruden destroyed what Dungy built.
Raheem will build it again.
February 6th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
….Chris Simms smoke too much weed.
February 6th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
I was at the Carolina game where if any teammate did not have respect for his leadership during the game in which he ruptured his spleen and kept playing, almost pulling out a victory! They damn well should have after the game.
What BS!
No respect because why? Why again was it that he was getting mauled and hammered into the ground play after play in Carolina?
Bad o-line play? Play calling? Bad game plan?
Crazy because after that game he was never able to play again for us. Even when he was healthy.
February 6th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
I do not think he meant they did not respect him, jist that he did not inspire them.
February 6th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
It surely cant help when his teammates are watching Gruden scream at Simms that “You’re like warm piss running down my leg!”
Also I don’t agree that Simms had the ability to make every play. Remember the batted passes? 1 or 2 is just bad luck 7 or 8 is a problem and its not just the o-line.
I always got the feeling that Gruden never wanted Simms and he was forced on him by Rich McKay before Gru ran him out of town.
February 6th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Stick Boy…..had his shots at being an NFL QB…..did not make it…..
too bad he had to find out the HARD way….
February 6th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
I have nothing but respect for Chris Simms. Come on people, he played with a ruptured spleen! After that, no Buc fan should ever speak negatively of him.
However, Wyche’s analysis does seem like it may have some merit. I’m sure he had the respect of his teammates, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he was a leader. You can’t really blame Gruden for that, although Gruden was kind of a d!ck to him (shocker). Besides, who cares about Chris Simms, we have both a leader and a great QB in Freeman. I haven’t thought about him in like 4 years.
February 6th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
He had his spleen ruptured in a game…..don’t recall him playing much with it
February 6th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
I’ve said this many times before:
Chris Simms didn’t “tough it out” when he lost his spleen. He pussied out on the goal line, trying to shy away from contact and EXPOSED his spleen to the defense. WATCH THE PLAY. It’s plain as day.
Simms sucked. He had a great arm in practice, but he was a coward under the big lights. He sucked at Texas; He sucked in the NFL.
Even, I won’t pin that on Gruden.
February 6th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
I put the blame solely on a freak football accident. He would have turned out just fine. Of course, we probably would never have hired Rah as HC or drafted Freeman, so everything works out for a reason.
February 6th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
It was nice of Gruden to give Freeman a little love, during the SuperBowl pre game. Everyone was slobbering about what a unique talent Ben Rapistberger is. Gruden pointed put the Josh has the same running skill set. I think he has a better arm. Passes are perfect!
February 7th, 2011 at 5:23 am
Of course, I wonder how Josh Freeman would have developed, if he had a certain Midget degrading him in front of his team all day long. That’s why we are like a two year old expansion team. Talib being about the best pick in the veteran draft.
February 7th, 2011 at 6:21 am
lol the best part of this article is the link showing that Phil Simms almost punched Desmond Howard
February 7th, 2011 at 8:14 am
hell, i’m just fan and i’d run through a brick wall for Freeman! I’m not gay but it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to be in jail with #5. HE FINE!