Not Everyone Digging Charles Sims
June 17th, 2014
One NFL.com draft analyst is not much of a fan of Bucs third round pick RB Charles Sims.
A number of Bucs fans are probably still shaking their heads over the drafting of Charles Sims in the third round last month. Yes, Joe knows Bucs coach Lovie Smith stated right away he was looking for a pass-catching running back.
But not just a few Bucs fans were wondering, “What about Doug Martin?” Joe understands both sides of the coin. Lovie wants diversity and Martin’s fans fear he is being phased out. That’s not exactly true.
There is also one other person who is still shaking his head over the Sims pick, and was the notorious NFL draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly, who now contributes to NFL.com. Nawrocki, who has been known to offer harsh criticism of highly-rated draft prospects, relays an equally blunt synopsis of Sims’ chances of making it in the NFL, writes Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune.
In his book, NFL Draft 2014 Preview, former Pro Football Weekly editor Nolan Nawrocki quotes an anonymous NFL scout with a contrary opinion of Sims’ skills.
“I’m not sure how good his hands are,’’ the scout is quoted as saying. “He doesn’t catch the ball very well. He’s a No. 2 back. Those guys are a dime a dozen.’’
Hhhmmm… the reason the Bucs drafted Sims was because of his hands.
Joe guesses this goes to show how two people can look at one player and come up with far different takes.
The NFL draft is hardly a refined science. It is an inexact and some may suggest it’s an educated crap shoot. Each year proves that. Bucs fans should know by the end of October if Nawrocki had a kernel of truth about Sims, or if his analysis was a swing-and-a-miss.
June 17th, 2014 at 9:11 am
Sims was in the same system as Austin and Geno at WVU. Short dump off passes as opposed to handing off the ball.
Speed in space….
June 17th, 2014 at 9:12 am
Known troll Nolan Nawrocki quotes an anonymous source with something negative to say. zzzzzzzzz…..
June 17th, 2014 at 9:12 am
Sounds a bit too much. Lovie did say to his running backs before the draft…was it a requirement to be 5’9 to be in that group. Last year 3 or so running backs were out for the season. I didn’t like the pick either, but it does make sense. He is said to resemble M. Forte. I get it. Drafted in the 3rd round really isn’t too high. There was a run on running backs and the new regime wanted there guy. We got a lot of new weapons now, I’m not complaining.
June 17th, 2014 at 9:14 am
There’s also Jared Allen’s scouting report and that was also fun to laugh at.
*** Start
POSITIVES: Productive small school prospect with a penchant for making plays all over the field. Imposing looking figure that plays with balance, leverage and is rarely off his feet. Drives up the field and tough to handle. Can twist or stunt, quick off the edge and smooth changing direction.
NEGATIVES: Overall game lacks explosion, a closing burst to the ball carrier and strength. At times easily ridden from the play or handled at the point.
ANALYSIS: At first glance, Allen looks like a top prospect based on productivity yet lacks the top upside for the next level. Will find a spot on an active NFL roster if he continues to make plays into the opponents backfield.
PROJECTION: Late Sixth Round
*** End
But then there’s also Luke Stocker Scout report that has him compared to Jason Witten…. yeah I said it Jason Witten.
*** Start
Pros: At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, Stocker has the size needed to absorb hits over the middle at the NFL level, and he showed that he possessed the toughness to handle it during Senior Bowl week, when Alabama’s Greg McElroy threw him into an evil two-defender hit in practice, and Stocker held on to the ball. He was absolutely fearless in traffic during his Vols career as well.
Stocker has good second-level burst for his size, which allows him to angle past defensive backs in the open field, though he’s more conversant with just running people over. Sits well in zones and turns upfield with a good blast. Consistent route-runner with the slants, crosses, and seam routes tight ends see most of the time. Played for three different coaches in his last three seasons, going through different offenses with toughness and consistency. A willing and physical blocker. Fits all the traditional tight-end models.
Cons: However, if you’re looking for one of the new breed of hybrid tight ends who plays more like big wide receivers, Stocker is not your guy. He’s not a burner off the snap — it takes him a bit of time to get up to speed, though he’s surprisingly nimble in short spaces. And at times, his size leads him to look stocky and blocky in quick turnaround and comeback routes — he’s better as a strider after the catch.
Doesn’t get separation against faster corners who can press him in space; his option in those situations is to jump his way out of coverage. Best used in a balanced or West Coast system where the tight end is not required to get immediately vertical.
Conclusion: The rise of spread offenses in the NCAA has given birth to a new generation of tight ends who may have been possession receivers in previous eras. They can run, but they can’t block, and they’re more about getting downfield or taking stick screens upfield than chipping off the line and running the perfect slant or cross. Stocker is not that kind of flashy player, but he is absolutely the type of tight end you want if you’re looking for the do-it-all traditionalist.
Tough, consistent and multi-faceted, Stocker is just as much about the little things done right as the obvious flash points. Finished his collegiate career with 80 catches in 51 games for 898 yards and seven touchdowns.
NFL Comparison: Jason Witten(notes), Dallas Cowboys
***End
It is a hit and miss. Everyone will see something other’s won’t some can see developmental project players.
June 17th, 2014 at 9:15 am
Who the hell is Nolan Nawrocki? lol. Guy doesn’t know what he is saying. Next thing you know he is saying Mike Evans was a bad pick.
June 17th, 2014 at 9:17 am
I would doubt VERY seriosly if MR. Nawrocki or the “anonymous” scout has watched anywhere near the tape on Sims as L&L. Time will tell but could it be the “anonymous” scout missed him and doesn’t want it known for fear of his job? We shall see.
June 17th, 2014 at 9:18 am
Nolan Nawrocki < Joel Buchsbaum-No even close -No matter how much Nawrocki likes copy and past his work.
June 17th, 2014 at 9:20 am
*Nolan Nawrocki < Joel Buchsbaum-No even close -No matter how much Nawrocki like's to copy and paste his work.
June 17th, 2014 at 9:43 am
Dude can’t be serious…
2009 at Houston 70 Catches
2010 at Houston 51 Catches
2011 at Houston 37 Catches
2012 at WVU 45 Catches
Never averaged under 8.9 yards a reception for a season.
Never averaged under 5.3 yards a carry for a season.
4 year starter, but never had over 208 carries in a season.
Bishop Sankey had 289 & 327 carries last 2 years
Tre Mason had 317 carries as a senior.
Watch his highlights, he’s legit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_ZLITZeRZ4
Thats just his senior WVU year in the SEC. We got a steal.
Thomas Jones, Cedric Benson, Matt Forte… Lovie knows Running Backs.
June 17th, 2014 at 9:52 am
It’s only a highlight reel, but from those clips you can see Sims catches the ball with great ease. Better than most receivers his size. He gets in and out of his routes very quickly and seems to also be able to break a lot of tackles. Haven’t heard of him dropping balls, but who knows. He does have the ability to make plays when he does get his hands on the ball that’s for sure.
June 17th, 2014 at 9:52 am
If you want to talk about the value of two quality backs, the Carolina Panthers are a great example although they have had to bust the bank for several seasons with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. Compared to those guys, who are both getting long in the tooth, Doug Martin and Sims are a bargain and they’re young.
June 17th, 2014 at 10:00 am
Well there you have it, Sims is unlikely to make the 53 man roster. because Nolan Nawrocki said so. How inspiring, and I hope his take has lifted the spirits of the fans who continually keep shaking their collective heads. ..smh
June 17th, 2014 at 10:56 am
I think Sims is an excellent addition, AND given his measurables and experience at WVU where skilled position guys offensively we’re plugged in everywhere, I’d like to see wether or not Tedford split Sims out from time to time in 3/4 WRs sets. Don’t know how much time this Nawrocki put into his eval of Sims, but I’d rather err on the football minds calling the shots on field, opposed to some 4 or 5 line quip about a draft picks ineptitude from a mid-tier beat writer.
June 17th, 2014 at 10:59 am
It was a very wise draft pick, especially when you consider the long injury list that Doug Martin has accumulated in his short 2 year career.
June 17th, 2014 at 11:01 am
Nawrocki wrote that probably back in March at the latest. It isn’t like he just spouted off about it. I think Nawrocki saw how tiny Sims’ hands were and came to a conclusion that no matter what, his hands will never truly be special.
I respect Nawrocki tremendously, but from the tape I’ve watched on Sims I have to disagree. Just like last season when he thought Matt Barkley was worth a 1st rounder and many other cases of players that were truly special getting elevated draft status. But again, what do I know… I loved Brett Smith and he isn’t even on an NFL roster.
June 17th, 2014 at 11:56 am
Joe
As you well know, an “anonymous scout” could be my 18 year old granddaughter.
You have seen him in the OTA’s, can he catch the ball?
June 17th, 2014 at 11:56 am
I completely agree with most of these posts. When he was drafted I was like “charles who???” and then I went straight to Youtube. The guy looked VERY impressive on tape and can fly. I am more excited about him than any other buc taken and that includes Mike Evans. If your going on what I saw the guy will push Doug Martin. Not saying that West Va. competition is NFL calibre but he sure looked like the real deal to me.
June 17th, 2014 at 11:57 am
I’ve seen Doug Martin score 5 TDs in a single game. Bucs have only seen Sims in his ,ahhhhhhh, underwear. “I don’t want to hear that Josey Wales is dead. I want to see that Josey Wales is dead”. -Fletcher
June 17th, 2014 at 12:40 pm
Tre mason is a better runner but maybe they know something the rest of us don’t. Looks like he goes down really easy
June 17th, 2014 at 12:47 pm
I think he’ll get more than a few touches this year.
June 17th, 2014 at 1:21 pm
Mason’s problem is he can’t block. That hurt him in the draft.
June 17th, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Charles Sims actually reminds more of Charlie Gardner (Check the footwork)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKazguxdgqQ
June 17th, 2014 at 2:12 pm
Legends: Charlie Garner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCNNNkasmaA
June 17th, 2014 at 2:43 pm
Martin is the man; however, you can’t have just one good back. You need at least three for a 16 week season.
June 17th, 2014 at 2:46 pm
Simms does not run with the aggression Garner did, but they do have similar footwork.
June 17th, 2014 at 5:03 pm
Who is this clown again???? Oh yeah nobody cares…
June 18th, 2014 at 1:38 am
” I’m not sure how good his hands are”
I’m sure he doesn’t know, because that would require Ole Nolan to watch Sims tape, or in a game.
If he had, even the most untrained fool could see that Sims greatest strength is his hands, and ability to catch the ball.
It’s become disgusting, how total idiots get paid to be informed- on subjects that they obviously have never bothered to research.
The guy is yet another of the clueless assclowns that try to make a name for themselves- by just throwing out ludicrous statements- and hoping they get labeled ” controversial”
This guy couldn’t buy a clue