In Praise of Chris Simms

by TR on Jan 10, 2006 3:28 PM CST in Football Comment 30 comments

I will admit that I have been one of the leaders in ripping Chris Simms over the years. But those days are dead and gone.

I'd give him a solid "B" grade for his performance in college, because even thought he led Texas to a lot of wins he didn't ever win the big one.

As far as his prospects for having a good NFL career, I wasn't holding my breath. Still, I did want the Dallas Cowboys to draft him in the second round of the 2003 Draft despite my doubts. Not only did they pass on him there, they passed on him again in the third round and he fell all the way to Tampa Bay with a late third-round pick.

He didn't do squat his first two years, and then when he took over for an injured Brian Griese midway through this season I figured the Bucs would immediately go into the toilet.

Not so. Simms led the team to a 6-5 record as the starter, including a 5-1 division record that led Tampa Bay to the NFC South title. Then came last week's playoff game against the Redskins, where I was rooting my ass off for Chris to succeed.

I know for a fact some of you can't let Chris' past failures go, but I have. It's time to support him the same way we do any other Texas Ex. Simms played great against the Redskins, unfortunately throwing a few passes too low and getting them tipped at the line, which led to interceptions.

But with the game on the line, Simms delivered a perfect pass that his receiver dropped in the end zone. That would have forced overtime, and the way the Redskins offense was going I'd be willing to bet with almost 100% certainty that Tampa would have won in overtime and had a good shot to beat the Bears this weekend.

Simms, making his first playoff start, played way better than Eli Manning did in his. Carson Palmer's playoff debut lasted only two plays.

What I'm getting at is that now it's not a matter of "if" but "when" will Simms become an NFL star. If recent rumors are true and Tampa makes a run at Terrell Owens, that time will be next season.

However, and here's the irony of ironies, Simms becomes a restricted free agent in March, meaning the Bucs will have the right to match any offer he receives from another team or demand compensation. I guarantee he's going to be one of the hottest free agents on the market and someone will be willing to throw a lot of money at him and give up a draft pick or two.

Would you really rather draft a rookie or get a guy like Simms, who is ready now to start and who has already taken his lumps learning the pro game? I can tell you at least 20 teams who would experience an upgrade at quarterback if they signed Simms. I know, I can't believe I just wrote that either.

Hell, Dallas may realize its still looking for the next Troy Aikman and bring Simms back to Texas. Imagine Vince Young playing for the Texans and Chris Simms playing for the Cowboys. If that thought doesn't make a smile come across your face, you aren't a true member of the Burnt Orange Nation.

--TR--

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Absolutely

Not only are all your points excellent, Travis, but let me throw out one more.

If the Boston Red Sox can let Bill Buckner rest in peace after winning their title, I think that we can all try to appreciate what Chris did for UT now that we've got our own title.

It's time to stop the hating.

by Peter Bean on Jan 10, 2006 3:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

One problem

Chris can't win in Dallas. He wore the perverbial collar there against OU, and ofcourse the Big XII title game was in Texas stadium where he turned it over against the Buffs 4 times in less than a half of play.

But yes, I too hope he has success in the NFL...just not in Dallas.

by Lincoln on Jan 10, 2006 3:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Problem Solved

The Pokes are moving to Arlington. Bring on Simms Parcells II

I beat Wells in pool!!!

by AdamDC on Jan 10, 2006 4:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

you say

"Carson Palmer's playoff debut lasted only two plays." Like he just chose to stop, and didn't turn the Bengals into a decent team this season. I would beg to differ.

Fight On! Beat the (Insert USC opponent here)!

by USCLink on Jan 10, 2006 3:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

It's true

What I mean is come next year, Palmer is still basically a rookie as far as playoff experience goes.

by TR on Jan 10, 2006 3:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is a touchy subject

Quality points are made all around and I actually sit here thinking if I can stop hating Chris Simms.

If you had an ex-gf who made you look like a fool, and then talked crap about you after you broke up, but now you're happily married to a much better girl, do you still hate on the ex? I think that's a question of maturity.

I for one, am quite immature. I still hate my exes and I won't warm up to Simms for a WHILE.

More importantly, do you still hate on BFJ even though UT won the national championship? I say yes. Every day.

by trot on Jan 10, 2006 3:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

There is a difference

While Simms may have screwed Texas many a time with bonehead plays, he didn't do it (to the best of my knowledge) maliciously, as an ex-gf would do. If Simms was throwing INTs on purpose and missing receivers just to be a jerk, then that is one thing, but underachieving is another. I kind of see it the way I view Steve Lavin. I didn't like him when he coached UCLA, but if you were an assistant coach making like $30K a year in LA, and someone offered you a job paying ridiculous money at a prestigious school, wouldn't you take it? So maybe he sucked at coaching, but it's not like he did it on purpose. He just wasn't equipped to deal with the job. Same goes for Chris Simms. I don't hold anything against Lavin because he was a moron, and I don't hold anything against Simms because he underachieved (although I only became a Texas fan when I moved there in 2002, so my experience with him was not as involved).

As far as BFJ is concerned, he had nothing to do with USC's previous winning streak. He just said stupid things, and his opinions are unrelated to Texas winning. Hate on.

GO BRUINS. HOOK 'EM HORNS.

by uclawarren on Jan 12, 2006 12:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

AMEN

AMEN TO TROT, I am with you ,

by Rigger on Jan 10, 2006 3:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Chris is alright

My emotions for Simms are mixed. No doubt, the bar was set high for the kid and with each accomplishment the critics kept putting it out of reach. Unless he goes on to win multiple Super Bowls, it will never stop.

Davis is who I blame. "But he led the highest scoring offense, developed VY, blah, blah, blah "

Davis ran a predictable plain vanilla offense. Chris never had a chance to succeed. How many dump or flare passes does a guy have throw to Roy Williams before someone says, "ya know, maybe that play is a waste and will never work?".

My disdain for Davis will never subside, no matter how many MNCs Texas wins. IMO, it's time for Greg to move on.

People asked too much of Chris - and that's why it never happened.

"To crush your enemies -- See them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women!"

by EYESofBEVO on Jan 10, 2006 3:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

sigh

I will put my Simms hate on hold, if only because right now I can't hate on anything related to Longhorn football. I know that Chris didn't have those horrible games on purpose. But I still don't think that Chris has whatever "it" is that makes great quarterbacks. Still, I agree with Travis. I bet half the teams in the league would take him over what they have.

by Eric on Jan 10, 2006 3:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You're sellin me down the river Eric!

I know you secretly love to hate on Simms! You know I preach the truth!

by trot on Jan 10, 2006 4:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

trot

I love your blog. And I think you're a great guy and all. But this Simms hatred thing that we have... it's just not working out. It's not you, it's me. Really. Oh, the great times we had hating on Simms together. But I've moved on, trot. I'm just not right for you any more. I'm sorry.

By the way, I don't want any drunken, lonely "Simms hating" calls at 3am. I mean it.

by Eric on Jan 10, 2006 4:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

eric

It's cause I'm gaining weight right?

Fine, leave. I just want to be me. I don't need your approval.

And I already told you, my phone ACCIDENTALLY dialed you... and when I looked at my phone I thought you had called me and... oh forget it.

by trot on Jan 10, 2006 4:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Everybody loves Major

When in Austin, it seemed like most people decided to choose sides: Simms or Applewhite was as common as democrat or republican and paper or plastic.

I was an Applewhite guy, yet I told folks back in 2001 that Simms would be a good NFL quarterback. I even made a bet with someone that he'd one day play in the Pro Bowl. A couple people who read and write on here can actually confirm that. There are great college QBs who don't pan out in the pros and those who make good pro QBs.

by FreedomDip on Jan 10, 2006 3:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wait a sec

Opinions on Simms aside, do I have to root for the Cowboys to be a member of the Burnt Orange Nation?!

I have never been, and will never be, afraid to say that while I don't necessarily have a favorite NFL team, I will always loathe the Dallas Freekin' Cowboys. For no better reason, really, than I was once sort of a Redskins fan and will still root for them everything else being equal (ie no Longhorns playing against them). If the Cowboys started the entire 2005 National Championship Longhorn team next year, I might split in half out of pure frustration at not knowing what to do. I want to root for all the Longhorns I can (I'll have to work on my Simms-hate), but watching 'em wear those dumb star helmets would really hurt. Anyway, I thought only Sooners played for the Cowboys...

by Kahuna on Jan 10, 2006 4:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

It's okay

I hate the Cowboys, too

by Peter Bean on Jan 10, 2006 6:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Dont we all

the Irving got Coke Texas monthly was great.

by Wells on Jan 10, 2006 8:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It was a great pass...

I am actually still convinced that the pass Chris threw to the receiver late in the Redskin's game was a touchdown. The ref's blew it.
But then we had to laugh on his next possession...he threw an interception so directly to the Redskin's LB that we thought the guy must have been wearing a Colorado Buffalo jersey. Some pretty ugly deja vu !

by jimjar on Jan 10, 2006 5:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The difference

Chris vs. CU was just bad throws. Chris vs. Redskins were tipped passes -- bad, but not as bad as throwing right to the other team. It's all water under the bridge though. Next year Chris breaks out.

by TR on Jan 10, 2006 10:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But...

Chris ALWAYS has tipped throws! And his friggin' 6'4...!

Ok, breath... calm... national title... breath...

by Eric on Jan 10, 2006 10:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Simms rolled with the Lac this season

Simms performed pretty well this season, but he was helped by Rookie of the Year Cadillac Williams and a defense led by a defensive mastermind.

If not for the two interceptions Simms threw last Saturday, the Buc would of won of the game.

But Simms and Caddy make a good combination in the backfield. I hope Simms stays with the Bucs next year.

by AU2001 on Jan 11, 2006 12:32 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nah, he still sucks

During my 5 year residency as an undergrad on the 40 acres, I was the deaf monkey that ate the Simms athletic-genius wafer and even applauded Mack for starting him over Applewhite, just because of potential upside alone. I forgave Chris for the Roy Boy alleged Superman incident in Dallas, I mean that was a freakshow play and you can't fault a guy for being mind raped by a very stout OU defense. Referencing back to Trot's brilliant analogy, I used to go to bat for my ex-girlfriend, even when everyone told me she was a coke whore; but i always focused on the good qualities, like height, arm-strength and a rich daddy. In person witnessing the opening 25 minutes in Dallas, and knowing that Tennessee lost earlier that night, I watched Simms toss the ball around the carpet like a Mongoloid holding popcorn trying to clap at a circus clown. That sorry fuck, who I had so vehemently supported, almost appeared to smile and gift-wrap the picks and fumble like some sick fucking turnover factory, working to meet the year's end quota. Back to the girlfriend metaphor, do you forgive the girl you loved after you walk in on her deepthroating your best friend and dad in some Boogie Nights gangbang scene where she tells you that your relationship has all been some foolish hoax to get you to cry. No, you dont forgive her, you hope she gets the HIV or at the very least Hepatitis and cautiously move on..
The legacy, physique and apparent talent out of high school made Chris the failure he turned out to be, and its my job as a fan to hammer his Longhorn reputation whenever possible. Chris Simms, out of high school, was a jade cockring: pretty to look at, but would eventually be closely associated with another man's penis.
Best of luck next year Chris, I hope you do well in Pampa.

by Tbone Stallone on Jan 11, 2006 6:02 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

re: simms

So, in other words, you let yourself believe he was the second coming. And when he failed to live up to those lofty aspirations and turned in a notoriously horrible performance, you turned on him and then became obsessed with seeing someone fail. Even going so far as to call a starting NFL quarterback a failure.

"If not for the two interceptions Simms threw last Saturday, the Buc would of won of the game."

So, in other words, the Cadillac Williams fumble and the dropped touchdown pass had nothing to do with the Bucs' loss whatsoever. Ridiculous.

by Jason Mayer on Jan 11, 2006 8:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Uh

Jason, you seem to get really agitated about Simms-bashing. Were you buddies with him in kindergarten or something?

by Kahuna on Jan 11, 2006 8:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He's just pissed...

...because he put up with three years of the Socratic Method and he'll never get the chance to put his argumentation skills to good use in a courtroom. So, to compensate, he argues about his passion, Chris Simms, on blogs and message boards.

by Jason on Jan 11, 2006 9:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

re: uh

I don't consider it getting agitated, I just find it interesting that people's hatred for the guy reaches such obscene levels. People can think what they think, I just wouldn't want to let facts stand in the way of most people's irrational disdain for him.

And give me a fucking break Jason. So its come to personal attacks now. Go fuck yourself.

by Jason Mayer on Jan 11, 2006 12:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hold up

We can agree to disagree about Mr. Simms.

However, every time you refer to someone having an "irrational" disdain for Simms, or call their hatred "obscene", you're basically making a personal attack. (I have been both irrational and obscene in my life, somtimes simultaneously, but never with reference to Chris Simms)

Calm down. You're the one who escalated this by throwing out the harsh words. Hopefully you know the other Jason and were just having fun (as he seemed to be), otherwise you're way out of line.

by Kahuna on Jan 11, 2006 1:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Haha

Jason M.'s mad. I'd love to see your face as you wrote that.

by Jason on Jan 11, 2006 2:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

re: hold up

Read Tbone Stallone's post and tell me that there is nothing irrational nor obscene in it.

That's the only person I was referring to.

And Jason, the next time I want an editorial on my career path, I'll ask. Apparently, you used to be a decent editor.

by Jason Mayer on Jan 11, 2006 4:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Irrational...yes, obscene...

absolutely. Jason, by no means was I attacking you or anyone other than Simms. Most of it is meant to be mildly entertaining anyway. I really don't think your posts were hateful towards another blogger, just a strong defense of your position. Keep up the good work and don't dignify my posts with a response in the future.
I am a fucking jerk.

P.S. Chad Hutchinson was a starting QB once, and I would obscenely call him a failure.

by Tbone Stallone on Jan 12, 2006 2:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs