Simms, offense sputter in Buccaneers’ blowout loss

By Connor Byrne  |   Sunday, September 10, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Following a promising 2005 campaign in which he tossed 10 touchdowns and helped lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an NFC South title, fourth-year quarterback Chris Simms was given the team's starting job in the offseason.

Head coach Jon Gruden expected Simms to become a breakout player on the pro level this year, but the former University of Texas star was anything but that in the Bucs' Week 1 humiliating loss.

In Tampa's 27-0 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, Simms appeared hesitant and unconfident in the pocket, and it showed. Sunday, the 26-year-old completed 17-of-29 passes for just 133 yards and a lackluster three interceptions, one of which was returned for a 61-yard touchdown by Ravens cornerback Chris McAllister.

After an offseason full of Simms hype, the QB's performance was obviously a step in the wrong direction for him, the fans, and the Buccaneers as a whole. After all, 2006 was supposed to be the year he began mimicking his father Phil's championship mettle. Phil Simms, of course, won a Super Bowl as the signal caller for the New York Giants in the 1980s.

To blame everything on Simms' poor effort would be foolish, however, even though the former third-round pick was pulled in the fourth quarter in favor of rookie Bruce Gradkowski, who fared no better, completing one out of five pass attempts..

Tampa's usually stout defense was fairly mediocre against the Ravens' offense, led by quarterback Steve McNair and running back Jamal Lewis.

Accompanying the uninspired defensive performance was RB Cadillac Williams' inability to get anything going on the ground for the Buccaneers. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year took just eight carries and racked up a disappointing 22 yards. Compare that with last year's opening-day victory against the Minnesota Vikings, when Williams rolled for 148 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries.

It isn't going to get any easier for Simms and friends next Sunday, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leave the friendly confines of Raymond James Stadium to visit the 1-0 Atlanta Falcons, who dominated the highly touted Carolina Panthers with a 20-6 opening-day victory.

Against a secondary that includes cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall, Jason Webster and Jimmy Williams, and safeties Lawyer Milloy and Chris Crocker, Simms could be in for another rough outing.

--Got feedback? Connor J. Byrne responds to readers' comments and questions each day: cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

Get more on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at RealFootball365.com.
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