Chris Simms

There’s a precipitous step down in ability from the Broncos' departed franchise QB Jay Cutler to either Simms or Kyle Orton. Simms has more measurables, but has never done anything of note even in college, where he was often benched. Both QBs will be surrounded by new players in a new system, and thus we should expect the Broncos passing game to struggle despite their premium wideouts throughout most of 2009. Orton’s the favorite to start at press time, but it wouldn’t surprise us to see him get a quick hook as the wolves in Denver will be howling over Cutler’s loss early and often in 2009.

Simms has now fully recovered from that horrific 2006 spleen injury that nearly cost him his life. However, since then, he's now totally fallen out of favor with head coach Jon Gruden, and there is almost no way he'll make the Bucs' roster this year. Simms really needs a new start on another club at this point.

Simms missed most of last season due to a ruptured spleen. As camp opens, he trails both Jeff Garcia and Bruce Gradkowski on the depth chart, and he's likely just an injury insurance policy for the Bucs this season. Of course, the Bucs have had to cash in such policies in each of the last three seasons, so Simms could see playing time if the sky falls in ... but even then, it'd be in an offense Jon Gruden is now building around Jeff Garcia, who has a very different skill set.

Last year, the Bucs were 20th in pass percentage, 27th in first down pass percentage and 18th in percentage of pass attempts in the red zone. Simms was a mixed bag in his first year as a starter. But considering the inexperience, there’s proof of promise in the numbers. The 82 QB rating on 48 late/close attempts is great for a first-year starter. But the five TD passes in 28 red-zone attempts must be improved. Don’t expect Joey Galloway to pick up where he left off in ’05, as he’ll turn 35 this season. But Michael Clayton should bounce back after an injury-plagued sophomore campaign and second-year tight end Alex Smith should continue to make strides, while giving Simms a consistent short-field target.

Simms will compete with Luke McCown for the backup quarterback role with Tampa Bay. Simms started for the Bucs in Week 5 last year, but got injured and did not see any significant action after that until the season finale. Simms showed flashes of brilliance in his limited playing time, but also showed his inexperience (10 sacks in just 73 pass attempts, and a crucial goal-line fumble that halted a comeback effort against Seattle in Week 2).

He's Tampa Bay's QB of the future ... however, barring two injuries, the future won't begin in 2004. Still, the Bucs have said that Simms will probably start an exhibition game this August, so he may see more than clipboard duty this season.

The quarterback of the future for the Bucs, we see Simms carrying the clipboard as the third QB this season. He's probably two seasons away from getting serious playing time.