Dancing On Thin Ice?
June 21st, 2018
Job in danger?
Yeah, the Bucs decided, after weeks of deep thought, to bring back receiving back Charles Sims just a few dollars above the NFL minimum wage.
And there is nothing guaranteed in Sims’ contract, a one-year deal. But the way Bucs coach Dirk Koetter likes Sims suggests Sims will catch passes this season from America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, (and backup Ryan Fitzpatrick, too).
However, Jenna Laine isn’t so sure.
The Bucs beat writer for ESPN believes Sims stands on uneasy ground and very well could be cut before the regular season kicks off in less than three months, via a story about veterans across the NFL in danger of losing their jobs
The Bucs’ running back competition is just heating up, and a virtual unknown in rookie Shaun Wilson could push veteran Sims out the door. Wilson, an undrafted free agent out of Duke, showed during minicamp that he has some solid hands and special-teams ability. Considering the team re-signed Sims late this offseason and it’s only a one-year deal, his roster spot is far from guaranteed as the Bucs’ third-down back, a spot that Jacquizz Rodgers could also hold.
So far, Koetter had been raving about Wilson in underwear football.
“That guy has impressed me because I didn’t know about him,” Koetter said about Wilson early in underwear football season. “Shaun Wilson has done a really nice job. He’s a smaller guy so durability will be the question. But he had a nice punt return today, really good hands, good route runner. He’s smart, he’s picked things up.”
The one thing that Joe has learned about offensive backups is if they can play special teams, it increases their job security. Excelling at multiple special teams jobs means he has a better shot to make the team.
If Wilson shines in the return game, that will put that much more pressure on Sims.
June 21st, 2018 at 12:07 pm
I don’t understand why they re-signed Sims to begin with. The guy makes more moves before the LOS than Jagger!
June 21st, 2018 at 12:19 pm
I think he has a $200K guarantee….but that’s not enough to concern Bucs…..I like Charles Sims as a # 3-4 back….but if he gets beat out….he gets beat out….strictly business.
June 21st, 2018 at 12:22 pm
Clever title Joe.
June 21st, 2018 at 12:22 pm
Sounds good to me.
If this guy can be a version of Sims that can also return kicks / punts and run between the tackles then sign me up.
Jones/Barber/Rodgers/Wilson sounds like a solid tandem of skills if that’s what Wilson brings to the table
June 21st, 2018 at 12:28 pm
Lol@ Sims dancing like Mick Jagger after the snap…
“Whew! Awl right!”
June 21st, 2018 at 12:49 pm
If the rookie UDFA does earn himself a final 53 roster spot – Its more likely that Quizz would get a visit from the Turk than Sims IMO…
Most likely is that Wilson would go to the practice squad to start the season.
June 21st, 2018 at 12:52 pm
Practice squad may mean being snapped up by another time.
June 21st, 2018 at 1:25 pm
Koetter could alienate him to the point he wouldn’t sign a practice squad contract. I have very little confidence in koetter‘s ability in evaluating running backs
June 21st, 2018 at 1:27 pm
underwear football… everybody drink
June 21st, 2018 at 1:45 pm
I don’t know Pick, as much as Koetter values Pass Protection I don’t think Quizz is going anywhere.
June 21st, 2018 at 1:55 pm
Sb
Quizz still the best overall back, see film.
One thing I hate about Koetter is he plays people out of position or maybe that he doesn’t idk. But Simms has been our back slot rcv for years. And if Whitehead isn’t in this convo for KR or RB then somebody is slipping.
Btw *whispers*mcicecream*lol
June 21st, 2018 at 2:06 pm
Agree Pickgrin. Sims had 380 offensive snaps last year, to only 168 for Rodgers (and 254 for Barber). Since Sims only carried the rock 21 times, and was targeted 47 times (caught 35 of those), that tells me that most of his on-the-field time was probably in pass protection. Jacquizz didn’t see the field nearly as often, which would seem to indicate that Koetter preferred Sims over Rodgers by more than a 2-1 ratio especially as a receiving target & to provide pass protection for Jameis.
June 21st, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Boooo I was on Wilson as soon as they drafted him. *Little Richard Voice* “They never give me any credit”.
June 21st, 2018 at 3:07 pm
DR Says:
“Koetter preferred Sims over Rodgers by more than a 2-1 ratio especially as a receiving target & to provide pass protection for Jameis.”
Yep. Sims will likely see more snaps on 3rd down in 2018 than any other Bucs RB.
I want to see more innovation from coach K this year.
Hopefully he spends a good bit of time over the next 6 weeks designing more creative, specific, situational plays for receivers not named Evans, Brate or Humphries. Those guys will get their targets and are already a bit too heavily favored by Jameis as it is.
Sims, DJax, Howard and Godwin all have unique skill sets that need to be taken advantage of and schemed towards. Rojo fits in there too if he shows he can hang onto balls thrown his way.
Creativity in play design when you have this much receiving talent will be crucial.
Just like the beautifully designed play(s) last year that had OJ blocking at the line for a second – then moving lateral to the LOS on the shallowest of crossing patterns so as to not attract attention initially – then popping out completely uncovered with tons of green in front. THAT was a well designed and very creative usage of OJ Howard and resulted in a couple very nice “explosives”.
Bucs have the best 1-2 punch at TE in the NFL with Howard and Brate. That MUST be heavily utilized in 2018. As in 50%+ of all offensive snaps in 2 TE sets utilized.
If the run can be established out of the 2 TE – 1 RB set, then the opposing defense will be forced to play base defense the majority of snaps – creating plenty of mismatch opportunities for Howard, Brate, the 2 WRs and the RB depending on who picks them up – especially off play action…
Regarding Sims specifically – I believe we will see him make some nice plays receiving this year if he can manage to stay healthy.
June 21st, 2018 at 3:22 pm
@Pickgrin … “Creativity in play design when you have this much receiving talent will be crucial.” THAT is the key to our whole offense this year Pickgrin. And if Dirk is serious about letting Monken loose at the controls, I think creativity in play design will explode. I know coaches don’t show much in preseason, but it’ll be interesting to see how much rein Koetter gives Monken in terms of play-calling.
Sims staying healthy is the key to his survival. He’ll get his touches (not many, but some), but I’d expect to see him in a pass protection role quite a bit. Lull the defense to ‘sleep’ in that role, and that’ll set him up for a few explosive plays of his own.