“Why Sims Plays, I Have No Idea”
October 1st, 2017
Receiver, not a runner.
It sure would help if the Bucs found a running attack today.
If somehow the Bucs are able to run the ball, Joe sort of likes their chances of beating the Giants. However, Joe looks at the roster of running backs and shakes his head.
Currently, the No. 1 running back is Jacquizz Rodgers. A nice little back for a backup. Might get you through two or three games (max) if in a pinch. This year, he hasn’t made anyone forget Warrick Dunn. Remember, Rodgers couldn’t make the final-53 man roster of the bungling Bears last year and he was rescued off the street by winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter.
The No. 2 back? Please. That would be Charles Sims (to this day Joe has to catch himself typing “Chris Simms.” And honestly, Joe would trust Chris Simms to run better than Charles Sims.)
Thinking of Charles Sims, it rankled ESPN Tallahassee voice Jeff Cameron who co-hosts the ScuttleBucs podcast heard weekly on Wednesday afternoons on JoeBucsFan.com.
Here is what Cameron had to say about Sims last week.
The Bucs “don’t have running backs in there that are any good,” Cameron said. “Why Sims plays, I have no idea.”
Simply put, Sims cannot run the ball, much less run up the middle. But he can catch the ball and in sort of an ode to Michael Clayton, he can block.
(Remember when former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik used to crow about how well Clayton could block? You would have thought he signed Will Shields.)
The past two seasons, Sims is averaging less than three yards a carry which is just about rock bottom for NFL running backs. That’s worse than the Great Lumpkin.
Then Joe was watching a breakdown of the Bears-Bucs game from former NFL offensive lineman and current NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger. In the clip, which focuses on Mike Evans, notice how Sims is put in motion and sets up as a receiver.
As a receiver, Sims doesn’t embarrass himself at all. As a runner, he is pathetic. Joe almost wishes the Bucs would knock off the charade and just declare the guy a receiver. Then again, he can block.
October 1st, 2017 at 7:10 am
I still think the only reason Sims wasn’t traded with one year left on his contract was because of…what’s his name again…oh yeah…McNichols was terrible in pre-season. And I don’t know why Koetter keeps giving Sims the ball on 3rd and 1m as Barber is proving to be better. There are not enough spots in the RB corps to waste one on a guy who can’t run between the tackles. It has gotten to the point where fans in stands groan when they see Sims enter the game.
October 1st, 2017 at 7:39 am
Roy.., we truly have no clue about McNichols. As a runner, he showed flashes of being better than Sims, yanking him, as Koetter did in the third preseason game and not putting him back in was poor talent evaluation practices. I will not be shocked if he has a decent career in the NFL. I also will not be shocked if he doesn’t miss some games due to the league’s archaic substance abuse policy. What if Reid would’ve benched Hunt this year because he fumbled away his first carry? His response was to get him the football immediately after his mistake. Truthfully, Koetter is so enamored with Sims (who’s getting worse it seems) I won’t be shocked if he re-signs here similar to the affore mentioned Micheal Clayton.
October 1st, 2017 at 7:43 am
Why does he still play? Because he is another head scratcher Licht pick that he refuses to bench much less get rid of. Kinda putting his ego and pride above what’s best for the team.
October 1st, 2017 at 7:44 am
Roy
Theres plenty of reasons he wasnt traded. The fact that you need a willing trade partner whos actually going to give something in return is the first in my opinion. Youve gota produce to fetch a pick. Maybe that could have gotten a backup linemen or something but what goods that do. Bottom line is he is not a decisive, tough runner, among other things. He is a decent receiver. I wish theyd let him run a wheel route n try n get him deep once or twice in tbe early part lf the game. Then again the giants might know its coming, considering the chances of him getting a handoff are slim after watching the “run” on 3rd and 1. Cmon Bucs beat down those giants.
October 1st, 2017 at 7:48 am
How many times do we have to read…..Jaquizz didn’t make the Bears 53 man roster…..
Newsflash…..they ran for 20 yards against us…maybe they could have used him.
And….I think we have some players who didn’t make other team’s 53 man roster….namely Cameron Brate and Adam Humphries……
Not making another team’s roster could be because you’re not good enough or it could mean the team made an error in judgement.
October 1st, 2017 at 8:11 am
Yet another JBF article about Bucs’ runners that doesn’t mention Peyton Barber even once. Warrick Dunn gets a mention. Michael Clayton & Chris Simms too. (Hint: all 3 of them are retired). But Peyton Barber? Nope, not mentioned even once. Newsflash Joe: Bucs really do have THREE RBs who could play today. And no, one of them isn’t named Doug Martin.
Here’s a prediction … after today’s game we’ll be reading one of two things: either ‘Bucs win as Peyton Barber runs for over 100 yds’ OR ‘Bucs lose and running game is still missing-in-action’. Please Dirk, turn the Barber loose today.
October 1st, 2017 at 8:29 am
Yes thank you DR, we NEED to let Barber loose… I don’t know why we’ve given him so few rushing opportunities in our first 2 games.
Let’s see Barber carry the rock today!! We know what Quizz can do as the starter but I can’t think of a game where Barber got the bulk of the carries.
To do the same thing over and over again and to expect a different result…
Go Bucs!!!!!
October 1st, 2017 at 8:44 am
Because he (Barber) sucks. He was an average back at Auburn. Yeesh ypu think you guys were talking about Walter Payton or Jim Brown the way youre crowing about an average, or below average running back.
October 1st, 2017 at 8:56 am
He plays because we have a bunch of RBs that should probably be on practice squads. You guys are acting like Sims is in there and we have Earl Campbell in his prime on the bench. He has 3 sh1tty RBs. Once Martin returns that will be the end of this story. Damn I wish we had Cook, but next year they need to make a RB one of the priorities in the draft.
October 1st, 2017 at 9:00 am
yet he got wide open on a deep route and jameis missed him. if he catches that ball and scores everyone is talking about why we don’t use him more as a pass catcher. fans are so funny to just write someone off obviously the bucs didn’t keep him as a primary ball carrier he has 4 carries on the season for **** sake. you’ve already said he’s a good pass blocker and 3rd down back. and if you don’t like him like dirk koetter says thats who we got so get used to him.
October 1st, 2017 at 9:01 am
Speaking of Cook, while i liked the pick of OJ at the time, for some reason Dirk doesn’t seem to be utilizing him as a reciever. I had visions of how he used Tony G in Atlanta. Joe, maybe one of you guys could give us an update on OJ’s progress. Is he behind schedule or something at this point. One reception a game for a stud TE doesn’t seem to square up unless Dirk doesn’t feel he is ready to help carry the load yet.
October 1st, 2017 at 9:02 am
and everyone talking about peyton barber like he’s some hidden gem we found needs to chill out. he’ was solid against chicago but that was late in the game when they were worn out. let’s not act like this kid is a future all pro or something he might be our best option but. that’s not saying a whole lot
October 1st, 2017 at 9:08 am
Wow… the running game is a problem? It’s a shame they didn’t know this going into the Draft…..
Oh wait they did.
If only a 3-down back from a Florida school who played with the Quarterback during a national championship season FELL to the Bucs where they were drafting…..
Oh wait…. he did.
But hey! 2 catches for 29 yards for the season and he can BLOCK! Nothing to sneeze at!!!
October 1st, 2017 at 9:14 am
All the Barber whining about just letting him get loose and he is going to shred defenses! So funny. Reminds me of how after the draft fanboy was talking about McNichols being the answer to all our rushing problems and going to make everyone forget about our 2 time pro bowler Doug Martin.
Fanboys are so funny!
October 1st, 2017 at 9:20 am
Barber deserves to start.
Bottom line.
He will break more tackles than Rodgers.
Rodgers and Sims should split 3rd down duty.
Barber is the only real RB we have.
Start him!!!
October 1st, 2017 at 9:21 am
In their defense CautiousOptimism, they do this every year. Two years ago Kenny Bell was going to lead the league in TDs. I forget the name of the 7th round white TE that fans loved. He was going to be an all pro as well but he never made the team. This year it was McNichols who was going to be great. Every year fans thinks every pick in the draft is solid gold and only later realize that the majority of these late picks don’t pan out.
October 1st, 2017 at 9:25 am
Yet we are led to believe the Bucs aren’t bringing Martin back next week! The delusion is amusing
October 1st, 2017 at 10:44 am
I lost my mind when Simms was in on 3rd and one against the bears. That’s gotta be the worst call Keotter has ever made.
October 1st, 2017 at 10:55 am
I’m pretty tired of all the Sims hate by JBF.
Sims is an EXCELLENT 3rd down back… One of the best in the NFL. And thats what hes on Tampa to be… A 3rd down back. If we had a bell-cow back (hurry back DM) Sims wouldnt be in the position hes in.
His role, and hes excellent at it is to either block or catch a pass on 3rd down. Nothing more, nothing less. Dont hate the player because hes not being utilized properly. Blame Koetter, not Sims.
October 1st, 2017 at 11:17 am
Charles Sims, the 2nd coming of Matt Forte.
Tampa Bay Bucs Scouting
October 1st, 2017 at 12:08 pm
I dare Joe, to ask koetter why sims is on this team!
October 1st, 2017 at 3:23 pm
Fully agree! A blind man would have known better.
Don’t have to. Already know why:
1. He is a good receiver.
2. He can block (key to keeping Jameis’ jersey clean).
3. Koetter likes him and Koetter is very loyal.