Tampa Bay To Put Simms On IR
Published: Oct 10, 2007
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TAMPA - The Bucs did not add a new running back to their active roster Tuesday. All they did was prepare to subtract from their active roster the quarterback many thought they'd subtract long ago.
Chris Simms' days as a Buccaneer aren't over yet, though. Simms, who many thought would be cut prior to the start of the season, was instead notified of the Bucs' plans to place him on injured reserve.
That move will be made today, and in addition to ending Simms' season and pushing any comeback he may make to at least 2008, it will open the roster spot the Bucs need to add another running back.
That addition finally will be made today, and no one should be surprised if the newcomer is not a tailback, but a fullback such as 34-year-old former Raider Zack Crockett.
A 13-year NFL veteran, Crockett was released by the Raiders on Sept. 2, but he has worked for Bucs coach Jon Gruden before so he fits the Bucs' need for a player who has knowledge of Gruden's complex offensive scheme.
The Bucs also are expected to re-sign running back Lionel Gates to the practice squad. Gates spent most of last year on the Bucs practice squad and was with the team during the preseason.
Crockett and Gates are two of the backs the Bucs looked at either Tuesday or in previous weeks. Others the Bucs are reportedly considering include former Carolina Panthers second-round draft pick Eric Shelton, former 49ers back Kevan Barlow and former Gators back Ciatrick Fason. Bucs general manager Bruce Allen said his plan is to possibly sign one of the backs the Bucs looked at Tuesday.
He said the team did look into trading for a running back and that he will continue to explore that possibility before Tuesday's trade deadline. As of right now, though, no trade is on the horizon.
"The trade deadline is used less in the NFL than any other sport," Allen said. "There have only been six or seven trades the last few years, so right now we don't anticipate making a trade."
Many thought Simms might be involved in such a trade, but Allen said Tuesday the Bucs never had any intention of trading Simms, who continues his slow recovery from a splenectomy last season.
"We thought he would have recovered by now, but it's taking longer than either Chris or we would have hoped for," Allen said. "There's nothing he hasn't tried to do to get better.
"But he's not at full strength and we don't anticipate him being at full strength this season. We feel this is the best move for Chris to regain his strength. We're confident he will recover completely."
Simms, who signed a two-year, $7 million deal that included at least $3 million in guaranteed payouts near the end of last season, did not return messages left for him Tuesday.
The move leaves the Bucs with just three rostered quarterbacks: Jeff Garcia, Bruce Gradkowski and Luke McCown. The Bucs also own the rights to Jake Plummer, who says he has retired.
The Bucs also have just three healthy running backs: tailbacks Earnest Graham and Kenneth Darby and fullback B.J. Askew.
Michael Pittman remains on the roster, but he likely will miss at least a month with an ankle injury that Allen described as "a high ankle sprain." He said Pittman did not suffer any fractures.
"We're hopeful Michael can come back," Allen said. "He's known to be a quick healer. We have the facilities and equipment here [at One Buc Place] to help him do that."
Allen said the Bucs are confident Graham, Darby and Askew can handle the bulk of the workload at the running back position and keep the Bucs alive in the NFC playoff race.
"We feel very good about where our team is right now," he said. "We're very anxious to see some of the guys who have worked this past offseason to get where they are."
Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979 or at rcummings@tampatrib.com.
