Sink Or Swim For Charles Sims
July 6th, 2017
Crucial season.
The biggest question mark on the offense isn’t J.R. Sweezy’s back or Ali Marpet’s new position at center.
No, the biggest question is Doug Martin’s status, which we might not know until October. There is a lot of speculation about rookie Jeremy McNichols, but that is all it is: speculation. He was on floppy hat patrol all underwear football season so know one knows what he can do. Yet.
NFL analyst Andy Benoit of theMMQB.com believes some folks are forgetting about a certain back for the Bucs.
@Andy_Benoit: Talk is about Jeremy McNichols and Doug Martin. Let’s not forget Charles Sims. Dynamic contributor in pass game.
Joe firmly believes this season is a crossroads for Sims and the Bucs. On paper, McNichols is everything Sims is not: a runner who can block and catch the ball. Sims can catch the ball effectively if not spectacularly… when he isn’t hurt. He cannot run the ball up the middle and his outside running is, at best, suspect. He looks more like a member of Britney Spears’ backup dance troupe when trying to run around the edge.
If the only thing Sims can do is catch, then he sure tips off defenses what’s going to happen when he enters the game. And if he is limited due to injury (again), then what’s the point?
July 6th, 2017 at 9:45 am
Sims showed some flash, but he’s a dime-a-dozen and wouldn’t put a whole lot of stock into him. Hopefully can have success running the ball now that defenses won’t be able to stack the box all game long.
July 6th, 2017 at 9:52 am
I think we are over with Simms. I’d rather see Peyton Barber or Russell Hansbrough. And how can you write an article about our running backs without mentioning the starter– Jacquizz Rodgers?
July 6th, 2017 at 10:00 am
Anything said by members of the media right now is speculation. Jeremy McNichols is an unknown, although I DO believe he makes the final roster barring injury or him totally sucking in camp.
My final roster prediction for RBs is Martin, Quiz, Sims and McNichols.
I think Peyton Barber is the odd man out, whether anyone here accepts that or not. He’s also the only one outside of Jeremy McNichols who qualifies for the Practice Squad.
I also think a Fullback might take an extra spot. Or rather, I hope so.
July 6th, 2017 at 10:07 am
Still can’t believe we passed over Devonta Freeman for this guy.
July 6th, 2017 at 10:14 am
Of course, it’s all a guess. But I think Sims is the odd man out.
July 6th, 2017 at 10:32 am
Peyton Barber ain’t going nowhere. Take that to the bank.
July 6th, 2017 at 11:04 am
Can’t someone coach up Sims on how to run better in between the tackles?
Fast, elusive in space, great hands – someone teach him to explode, not tap dance. That’s a coach’s job, right?
July 6th, 2017 at 11:06 am
The biggest question mark on the offense isn’t J.R. Sweezy’s back or Ali Marpet’s new position at center.
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No? But you just posted an article saying without Jameis the season is lost. So which is it? Is Jameis to block for himself too?
July 6th, 2017 at 11:21 am
I am trying to understand how Sims ran for 4.9 YPC on 107 carries in 2015 if he can’t run between the tackles at all?
I saw the same thing last year and agree he was dancing too much but what about 2015? That’s the largest and only fully health sample size we have of Sims…and he was extremely effective both running and receiving.
July 6th, 2017 at 11:33 am
With all the comments made regarding Sims sweet hands, perhaps converting him to a slot receiver will create the mismatches coach K is searching for?
O
July 6th, 2017 at 11:41 am
I think Sims will be the starting RB over quizzz for the first 3 games. Dont think he will be dancing around the O-line near as much and will run the ball very affectively
July 6th, 2017 at 11:56 am
Keep an eye on whether Sims gets TC reps in the slot as to what the Bucs thinking is…
July 6th, 2017 at 12:17 pm
The best part about this season is we will not have to speculate. We can watch it unfold on Hard Knocks
July 6th, 2017 at 12:19 pm
Disagree with the premise that the status of a 3rd down back is the biggest offensive question mark. Moving a guard to a completely new and important position at center, and the availability of Sweezy after sitting out of 2016 are MUCH bigger question marks than Sims.
July 6th, 2017 at 1:45 pm
Let him compete for the 5th WR position and move on. You can’t have a running back who can’t run the ball.
July 6th, 2017 at 2:07 pm
Sims will fit in nicely and make a positive impact I think. Many are ready to dump Martin and Sims, let it play out however it comes out. Added talent may exceed those two, anxious for both to be better.
July 6th, 2017 at 3:11 pm
Let’s not forget that Sims, spelled with one “m” not two, was rated as one one the top blockers for his position in the league. Not only that, y’all are quick to forget that he’s 6 feet tall, unlike all the other running backs, meaning he’s an easier and bigger target since he’s not 5’4. Y’all speak on his “dancing”, yet that same dancing ended his 2015 season with the most passing TDs. Also, y’all fail to realize that his run game is different from the traditional rb. Why have 5 rbs that all run like Doug? Do teams not need variety? Let’s not speak on explosiveness, as he’s one of the top explosive players in the team. Aside from all of that, no one would be so pressed about him breaking 20 tackles a run if blocks were actually being made.
July 6th, 2017 at 3:25 pm
Sims is perfect for the offense we are able to run this year. We can now spead the field and create mismatches. Did we forget what he did against Atlanta the first game of last season when we had VJAX and ASJ? Now we have more speed and weapons to worry about. No LB can stay with him in space.
July 6th, 2017 at 3:36 pm
Sink or Swim? I predict swim.
Can’t run eh? So how did he average 4.9 ypc on 107 carries in 2015?
The Oline was playing pitifully early last year when Sims got his shot at #1 back. Sims was ineffective for 1 1/2 games before getting hurt and all of a sudden everyone says thats who he is and that he sucks and can’t run effectively.
WTF?? Did you not watch the games in 2015 when the Oline was blocking much better and Sims looked good running?
Granted – he’s likely a more effective “change of pace” back than a bellcow – but I just don’t understand why everyone is seemingly writing this player off and predicting he won’t be among our top 4 backs.
Sims has talent and can be a valuable contributor in Dirk’s offense. That’s if he can stay healthy which to me is the legit thing to question or express concern over regarding Sims and his future on this team.
July 6th, 2017 at 3:53 pm
Pickgrin that 4.9 stat came when they used Simms in a limited role of about 10 carries per game. Your right, it does proove he can be an effective runner but it does not proove he can be a three down back. He didn’t proove that last year either.
Simms is a perfect fitting piece in koetters offense but the problem with him is he can’t offer anymore then we are got from him in 2015. If there is an injury we already know we can’t lean on Simms more. That really hurts his value to the team and makes him a luxary that we, maybe, can’t afford
July 6th, 2017 at 4:59 pm
I’m with Pickgrin.
Dude is a special 3rd down back in this offense. He is going to do well and build off of what he did in 2015 barring injury.
July 6th, 2017 at 5:07 pm
Agree Pickgrin. Joe writes as if Sim has completely no ability at being a running back whatsoever which seems kind of like a knee-jerk reaction to last year. It’s not like he’s a converted WR .. he played RB in college.
If Sims has a 2015 type year he’ll have been extremely effective for 2 seasons and injury plagued and ineffective 2 other seasons. Sounds like Doug Martin basically if that pans out.
Either way my biggest concerns with him are his durability and consistency just as that’s been my concern with Martin. He’s missed 16 games the last 3 seasons
July 6th, 2017 at 6:00 pm
It’s either Martin or Sims….Sims is simply less talented. Welcome to the end
July 6th, 2017 at 6:30 pm
Last year I wondered why they didn’t try him at WR with all the injuries there. He can’t run out of the backfield. If he can’t play WR full time, he shouldn’t have a place on the team.
July 6th, 2017 at 7:21 pm
was sooooooooo bummed out on draft day when we took him over trai turner.
still bummed
July 6th, 2017 at 8:12 pm
It is tragic, but at best Sims is a Slot Receiver and should Not Be Valued as a Running Back contributor….
July 6th, 2017 at 8:54 pm
What Pickgrin said.
July 6th, 2017 at 9:55 pm
I agree w Pickgrin as well. There was no talk of sink or swim last year. Come on. I never was into stats. What I see is Sims got those moves tho. He will cross u up or break ya ankles in style. He has a type of game that yea leads to injuries. Then when he is struggling I think Koetter should adjust his game for him by putting him in different situations. That just me tho. They are gonna be some “come on, man” moments but banking on a unknown 5th rounder is kinda cheesy to buy in now. I’m not even banking on our 2nd rounders yet and they played 2 plus years already.
July 7th, 2017 at 12:36 am
trade him
July 7th, 2017 at 7:05 am
Basically Joe & commish are tying to write & speculate Chuck off of the team but it won’t work lol. That’s completely ridiculous. Glad you included the LOL. –Joe the best playmaking running back we have! He was just the man and now he’s gonna be off of the team and is a one trick pony? Yall too busy talking the players down instead of up.
If Chuck was on another roster this is a starting running back, the bucs really just not catering to his run style.