“I Expect That”
May 17th, 2016
Charles Sims has a laser focus
After an April practice, Joe hung around the field at One Buc Palace waiting and waiting and waiting for Charles Sims to finish extra work on the Jugs machine.
Along with a member of the Tampa Bay staff, Sims was having balls blasted to him high but from very close range, the way a quarterback might fire a dumpoff pass under pressure.
Sims missed the first one, but his hands were money after that, about 35 balls in all.
Sims is a guy with little interest in the spotlight. He doesn’t have much to say, and is quite content to carry a lunch pail to One Buc Palace and grind away.
Last year, Sims quietly churned out 1,090 yards — 529 rushing on just 107 carries, plus 51 catches for 561 yards and four touchdowns. It was the most receptions by a Buccaneers’ running back since Michael Pittman snatched 75 passes out of the air in 2003.
But despite the success in his second season, in part-time duty, Sims refuses to look back. He’s all about grinding daily to improve.
Finally, Joe got Sims to comment on his 2015 season. Joe asked Sims if he was proud of his stats in his first healthy year in the NFL. Sims said, “No,” adding “I expect that out of myself. I practice giving my all. In games I give it my all. So I expect that.”
What the Bucs really have in Sims is unknown. August ankle surgery in 2014, combined with rushing back to the field at midseason, led to a very forgettable rookie year. But Sims was money last season and Dirk Koetter pledges to uses him more, possibly on kickoffs.
If nothing else, Sims certainly is one of the unspoken X-factors of 2016.
May 17th, 2016 at 11:02 am
Many knocked us for taking Sims in the third…he’s turning out to be a great pick. He’s handcuffed by Martin…but when he touches the ball has that electricity to him…lead the league in yards per touch last season. We need to get the ball more into his hands…..Koetter realizes that, too!
May 17th, 2016 at 11:17 am
I look forward to some sets with Sims & Vitale in the backfield……either one could hit the slot.
Sims is a very talented player and we absolutely need to use him more.
May 17th, 2016 at 11:18 am
That’s about 10 touches per game. I hope they don’t feel they have to prove why they paid Doug so much and just ride the hot hand. There will be games where Sims may be the one that is best suited to attack the opposing d, ride him. If Doug is having one of his days, give him 25+.
May 17th, 2016 at 11:20 am
Last thing I want to see is a game with doug at 25 carries and 55-60 yards buy Sims with 4 carries 30 yards, 2 catches 30 yards.
May 17th, 2016 at 11:24 am
Sims brings something else that Doug does not…Sims has enough speed to take it to the house!
May 17th, 2016 at 11:29 am
I like sims…I hope he continues to improve….GOBUCS!!!
May 17th, 2016 at 11:52 am
Different takes on Sims than the not too past. Man this guy is the real deal, I’ve said that since he arrived in Bucsville.
May 17th, 2016 at 12:03 pm
I see all these predictions of who has the best backfield, all are predictions, but only one backfield did it consistently as a 1-2 punch all of last year, the Bucs. Love that we are flying under the radar, but I think this is a very confident group with something to prove and it starts with Jameis. In the words of Bart Sxotg “can’t wait”
May 17th, 2016 at 12:16 pm
What a complementary group the Bucs have in Martin, Sims and Vitale (assuming he’s the real deal.)
You’d be hard pressed to find that total inventory of skills in another NFL backfield.
Talk about a box with the right tool for every job!
May 17th, 2016 at 3:38 pm
Licht took a lot of heat from a bunch of people here on JBF for drafting Sims in the 3rd round in stead of “a guard”. Now whoever said that looks like a fool. The Oline is now stacked with young talent and Sims has shown that (at the least) he is a fantastic change of pace RB with great hands and a knack for making tacklers miss in the open field. I hope Koetter finds some additional creative ways to use Sims this year and moving forward.
Martin and Sims is a hell of a 1,2 punch at RB
May 17th, 2016 at 4:19 pm
Vitale has got to make the team..first!
May 17th, 2016 at 4:30 pm
Sims is my breakout candidate this year. Koetter gave him some looks last year and he excelled. No doubt he should be given a bigger role. Reading his article only confirms my thoughts.
May 17th, 2016 at 5:49 pm
So many BASHED the sims pick with us having Doug Martin….
Admit it it looks like it was a good pick.
Thank you again Mr. LICHT!!!
May 17th, 2016 at 7:18 pm
doug martin worked hard on his receiving skills,but Sims has speed,great hands and a nose for the endzone.He needs more touches and a chance to shine.that is why I am not for bringing in Sproles.I know he a great player,
but lets not disturb the chemistry we are building.
May 17th, 2016 at 7:20 pm
Everyone on here seems content with a player doing well for one year. Sims needs to stay healthy and do what he did last year consistently
May 17th, 2016 at 10:11 pm
If the defense can increase more 3 and outs and the offense can play with a lead for once they can both have more touches per game. One thing I lije about Simms is he’s a very instinctive runner, sets up his blocks very well. I remember against Houston when he took a quick out pass took a quick step back set up his blocks and ran 50 yards pretty much untouched into the endzone. One of the coolest moves I’ve seen. Some people have dumped on him but it just shows how little they know. Though he’s not the prettiest of runners he definitely brings his lunch pail to the game.
May 17th, 2016 at 10:27 pm
It’s not we’re content but after a very productive season we have a reason to look forward to a better future but people like you want to down us for hoping. I guess you will only believe they are better when they win the Super Bowl.
May 18th, 2016 at 4:30 am
I like Sims because he has wide receiver height Vitale too. I think Sims and Vitale are awesome blockers. Vitale absolutely has to make the team. Winston needs them both watching his back side on play actions.
Here why I like Doug! He hasn’t had any major surgery done on his legs since he been a Buc. In fact only injury I remember him having is a shoulder problem when Schiano was forcing him to catch the ball in that weak offense. Doug is a BEAST let him run the other backs can catch.
Ask Telvin Smith from the Jags Dig Doug will try and knock your go nads off.