Chris Simms and Tampa

[KYPack]

Our back-up QB position is wide open and the prospects out there are grim to non-existent. Nobody likes any of the vet FA's out there.

Our back-up QB may come from the southlands. Tampa cannot keep all the QB's they have now.

The Bucs have six quarterbacks under contract: Jeff Garcia, Griese, Simms, Luke McCown, Bruce Gradkowski and the retired Jake Plummer.

Simms said he has split time between working out on his own in Tampa and traveling to New Jersey, where he has thrown with friends and his father, former Giants Super Bowl quarterback Phil Simms.

Griese, 33, appears to be the Bucs' choice to back up Garcia, leaving McCown and Gradkowski to fight it out for No. 3.

But the Bucs believe they have value in Simms, who has earned $7.1-million in the past two seasons despite playing just three games. Simms is entering the final season of his contract and is scheduled to earn a $2-million base salary.

Coincidentally, it was Simms' performance in 2005 that prompted Griese's departure from Tampa Bay.

Griese went 5-1 as the starter before tearing his ACL. Simms entered and went 6-5 in leading the Bucs to the playoffs.

During the ensuing offseason, the Bucs balked at paying Griese a $2.6-million roster bonus and released him. He later signed with the Bears.

There is a roster squeeze coming in TB. I've always liked Simms, even when everybody thought he was a weenie. He's got a real live arm and if he's recovered, he can help us.

I also like Luke McCown, Bruce Gradkowski, even Jake the Snake better than any street FA QB's that are on the market.

One of these dudes will be available at some point before the season. Should we make a move on 'em?

[The Leaper]

No need to make a move right now. As you say, Tampa can't keep them all. At least one of these guys is going to be cut before training camp...you can't take 5 established QBs into camp.

Our #2 job will probably be very attractive to any of the guys who they release...due to the talent on the GB offense, the relative similarity due to the WCO system, and the potential of playing time. I don't think we'd have any difficulty nabbing whoever they cut...which is why Thompson is biding his time and not jumping at subpar talents like Grey.

[KYPack]

No need to make a move right now. As you say, Tampa can't keep them all. At least one of these guys is going to be cut before training camp...you can't take 5 established QBs into camp.

Our #2 job will probably be very attractive to any of the guys who they release...due to the talent on the GB offense, the relative similarity due to the WCO system, and the potential of playing time. I don't think we'd have any difficulty nabbing whoever they cut...which is why Thompson is biding his time and not jumping at subpar talents like Grey.

Yeah, I agree.

Make a move on one of 'em, AFTER the roster squeeze. That's when you get the most value, when the player essentially has no contract in place.

I like all of these guys better than Nall or the guys that are left in FA.

You could potentially have a shot at 3 of the 6 players (Although Plummer doesn't really count, he's largely done).

I'd take McCown in a second.

[MadtownPacker]

Get Simms, he played with his guts busted up.

[KYPack]

Oh yeah. I'd take Simms in a heartbeat. He showed me a lot in that spleen incident.

I just don't think we'd get a shot at him. If Tampa cuts him, there asre a lot of NFC teams ahead of us that can pick him up. If he did filter down to us, sign him right now.

Would TT trade for him? Man I don't have a clue. If he'd deal a 6 for Grant, he'd do one for Simms I'd think.

[MadtownPacker]

See Simms fit the exact description of what the #2 should be. A guy with natural talent who can still be salvaged. I would drop a 6th on him right now. Aint gonna get a better deal in the draft for a back up QB.

[Zool]

I was calling for Simms a month ago and I'm still on that wagon.

[Oscar]

This is just a question..If we trade for Simms do we also pick up the 2mil that he has coming on his current deal? I'm not saying thats a huge amount just wondered what T.T. would consider for a #2 QB? I don't follow the contract numbers so just wondering?

[KYPack]

This is just a question..If we trade for Simms do we also pick up the 2mil that he has coming on his current deal? I'm not saying thats a huge amount just wondered what T.T. would consider for a #2 QB? I don't follow the contract numbers so just wondering?

In a trade, we'd retain his contract. So yeah, we'd pay him the 2 mil.

Most likely, in the event of a trade, GB would want to sign him long term in conjunction with the deal.

Simms still sees himself as a starter, so that could be a problem. A long term back-up QB deal probebly isn't in Simms dreams.

Simms is a good troop. This was the first I've checked out the Tampa situation, it seems like a fertile place to find a vet back-up.

[Zool]

I'm thinking the Bucs will release 2 of the 3 pack of McCown, Gradkowski and Simms. Then the contract means nothing.

[Guiness]

Actually Zool, I'm thinking Jake goes, and one of the guys on your list, unless he decides real soon he's coming back.

Which of the three is a toss up, but I'm guessing it's Simms due to the roster bonus - he's not likely to want to renegotiate, because he knows he'll get at least that on the open market. And I don't think they're interested in giving him a shot at the starter's job.

[Zool]

They have 5 on the roster not including Plumber. I highly doubt they will keep 4 QB's.

[Guiness]

oops, missed that.

How does it work with Plummer? He's under contract, but retired. So he doesn't take up a roster spot, doesn't get paid, but can't sign elsewhere, right? I think Deon was in that situation with the Redskins a couple years ago.

[Zool]

I believe they own his rights should he ever want to come back to the NFL.

[MadtownPacker]

I'm thinking the Bucs will release 2 of the 3 pack of McCown, Gradkowski and Simms. Then the contract means nothing.

But he still has to get through the waiver wire right? Or is he free to sign with whoever?