Koetter: More Touches For Charles Sims
March 28th, 2016
Yes, the Bucs will pay Doug Martin $8 million this season.
But third-year running back Charles Sims is coming off a stellar season complementing Martin, and Dirk Koetter wants more touches for Sims, so he said at the NFL Owners Meetings last week.
Here’s the catch: Koetter said those touches may come as a kickoff returner.
Koetter was asked whether Kenny Bell would compete for a punt returner job, and Koetter said that was not planned, as he saw Bell as more of a potential kickoff returner. But Koetter added that Sims would be the mix to return kicks as a way of getting him more touches.
Regarding the Bucs’ offense, Koetter said the likelihood is that Sims and Martin will be used the way they were last season.
March 28th, 2016 at 11:39 am
We should have kept Kaelin Klay! He looked good when Baltimore picked him up.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:00 pm
With the new rule on touchbacks, there probably won’t be all that many touches.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Sims and Martin used the way they were last year sounds like a winner.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:20 pm
” Koetter said the likelihood is that Sims and Martin will be used the way they were last season”
#1 duo in the league last year – so yea – If it ain’t broke, DON’T fix it.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:24 pm
Grimes will likely be used on some punt returns along with Humphries….I think Humphries will also return some kicks.
Playing on special teams will help keep Humphries on the roster if we pick up an additional WR.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:33 pm
with the new kickoff rules, the main requirements for a kick “returner” in the new NFL are the ability to not muff the catch and some shred field awareness (“is this one of the 5 times all year it makes sense to NOT take a touchback?”)
March 28th, 2016 at 12:35 pm
I think Sims can do very well running back kicks. But for his running between tackles in too much of an upright running style Sims could be an outstanding feature RB. He is the best though running outside or catching passes out of the backfield. A great complement to Martin and can be a good receiver in the red zone too!
March 28th, 2016 at 12:48 pm
I’d like to see him become that slot receiver he was advertised to be.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:48 pm
Actually, there is a lot of speculation that coaches will use high pooch kicks this season to prevent touchbacks since the ball comes out to the 25 yard line now. There should be lots of chances to field kickoffs around the 5-10 yard line with crazy fliers charging full speed ahead. Charles Sims better buckle his chin strap.
March 28th, 2016 at 12:51 pm
@clbucsfan…I agree..we gave up on him wayyyy too early…not sure about this one….I wouldn’t want to risk any injury…GO BUCS!!!
March 28th, 2016 at 1:00 pm
This is by far the most exciting offseason in the last decade. Man Im fired up for this year
March 28th, 2016 at 2:36 pm
I agree with Pickgrin, if it ain’t broke….
March 28th, 2016 at 3:38 pm
Kickoff returns are inop. A touchback goes to the 25. Few KO returns get beyond that.
So the designated KO returner is the Touchback Specialist. His job is to catch the ball & take a knee.
When I played in the WFL we kicked off from the 30 and virtually every kick was returned. With kickers getting so much better, the Rules Committee should consider that change. But in reality we’re more likely to see kickoffs eliminated entirely in the future.
Bottom line: “touches” on kickoffs are a big zero regardless of who the return guy is….
March 28th, 2016 at 4:02 pm
@Cobraboy
Unless teams start trying to land it somewhere within the 25 now…since returns do not often get run back that far.
Kenny Bell was great at returns in college. I’m not sure why Koetter doesn’t just use him that way anyway. Lovie should have.
I kind of miss Spurlock. It was fun yelling “run, michael, run!” at the tv!
March 28th, 2016 at 4:03 pm
Of course, I imagine the injury prevented that.
March 28th, 2016 at 4:59 pm
Nothing wrong with more touches, both Martin and Simms were very productive and if you’re going to spend a 3rd rounder on a guy you want him playing.
March 28th, 2016 at 7:08 pm
Dynamic duo
March 28th, 2016 at 11:20 pm
@Bonzai:
5 yards wouldn’t make that much difference to the kicking team to want to try pinning a team on a kickoff.
There is a greater chance of screwing up a pooch kick, especially if a team is expecting it.
They want the ball to be dead with no chance of a return.
The NFL is worried about injuries.
March 29th, 2016 at 2:07 am
Sims should get more touches in the game….the guy is electric as evidenced by the number of explosion plays he had last season, Joe!
March 29th, 2016 at 8:30 am
If Dontae Dye is quick as they say he is why not give him a shot a’s the return man. He ain’t doing much at wide out besides dropping wide open passes like his buddy mike.
If we have humphries and DD as our 3 and 4 guy again then that is pretty f*#$in sad.
I am praying they draft another target for Jameis. In fact I would be shocked if they didnt. Our front office can’t be that dumb. You must surround your franchise QB with as many weapons that u can get.
WR is basically the only position that needs to be addressed on offense. I like the Sterling Shepard kid from Oklahoma. Would fit nicely in that slot role with his speed and quickness.