BREAKING: Bucs trade for Sims!

[dbucfan]

Injuries I suspect.

[Morgan]

Ryan Sims coming around for Chiefs
Doug Tucker, Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City's Ryan Sims is not speaking with the media these days, but Chiefs coach **CENSORED** Vermeil is.

So let Vermeil give his report on the 315-pound defensive tackle -- the sixth overall pick of the 2002 draft, who so far has been a classic underachiever and a primary reason the Kansas City defense has been so terrible.

"He's a better player. There's no question," Vermeil said Tuesday. "In fact, I've had opposing line coaches tell me that already in preseason games."

The Chiefs made headlines throughout the offseason with their pursuit of new defensive players and did come up with some gems.

But it was also understood around Arrowhead Stadium that a breakthrough season by Sims would be needed for any sustained improvement.

Almost all the newcomers are either linebackers or defensive backs. Defensive end Carlos Hall, a pass-rush specialist, was the lone addition to the line, and he has been slowed by an elbow injury.

So coaches crossed their fingers and looked to Sims. So far, the results are encouraging. Although Kansas City finished 0-4 in the preseason, he seemed to be doing better against both the run and pass.

"What Ryan has done, I think he's become better defined in his own mind what he wants to be," Vermeil said. "And for all the right reasons. He's demonstrated it on the practice field all through training camp. He has never worked like he's worked at any time in his college career or now. And it's starting to pay off now."

A star at North Carolina along with overall No. 26 pick Julius Peppers, Sims' career got off to a shaky start after the Chiefs moved up to the No. 6 spot to get him. Late to training camp because of a contract dispute, he finally reported overweight and out of shape and was quickly felled by an elbow injury.

His entire rookie campaign was basically a waste.

Now, in his fourth season, he's finally starting to come around. His affable and approachable personality even seems to have taken on a new edge. Hence, the polite refusal to discuss his progress with reporters.

"He's really in his third year and it's in your third year that you start to blossom," Vermeil said.

"His hard work is shown in his consistency, his fundamental technique, his ability to dominate from time to time an offensive linemen. His ability to play within the discipline of the scheme. It's been demonstrated on a consistent basis. I'm very pleased with the progress he's made."

Overall, as the season opener against the New York Jets draws near, the Chiefs are confident they have made considerable progress in their effort to upgrade a defense which has never finished higher than 29th the past three years.

Ten of 12 newcomers play defense. Cornerback Patrick Surtain and safety Sammy Knight have transformed a pass defense that was 32nd last year into something resembling a topflight unit.

Linebacker Kendrell Bell, although injured most of the preseason, seems to be ready. First-round pick Derrick Johnson will give the Chiefs more speed at outside linebacker than they've had since the heyday of the late Derrick Thomas.

They felt so confident of defensive improvement, the Chiefs traded linebacker Scott Fujita, their top tackler the past two seasons, to Dallas.

"Defensively, I feel we're better," Vermeil said. "We have more talent there. Patrick Surtain is a very, very positive addition. And what you can't appreciate about Patrick is what he brings to the practice field -- the professionalism, the work ethic. Sammy Knight is the NFL's leading takeaway artist right now from the time he came into the league.

"Our defensive coaches... have been very, very demanding. Very, very demanding. I think it's paid off. We're tougher on that side of the ball."

[caradoc]

I'm guessing conditional pick based on how many games he plays.  He seems to be hurt an awful lot.

[caradoc]

Gawd how old is that article oma? 

[Pick6]

if herm edwards is letting him walk, you have to wonder where he'll fit in our system.

[Ironphist]

isn't he married to Farrah Fawcett Sims?

[Morgan]

From a Chief's Message Board.......

Post #1  


Ring of honor


Group: Members
Posts: 10,613
Joined: 7-March 04
From: Riverview, FL
Member No.: 50



 Last year, he played in 15 games and had 13 tackles. He earned $535K last year, which works out to $41,153 per tackle, which is more than probably most of us make per year. Next year, he's scheduled to make $832K and if he has the same production, he'll make $64,000 per tackle.

Let's put his number of tackles in perspective: Nose Tackle Jason Ferguson of the NY Jets had 9 tackles in TWO postseason games.

Sims was ranked 168th versus the rest of the NFL's defensive linemen last season.
http://www.nfl.com/stats/playersort/NFL/DL...5&start_row=151

IMO, Sims is a HUGE bust, proving once again, that CP is a moron when it comes to talent evaluation and drafting.  

[Morgan]

Wow, the Chiefs traded up to get him in the 2002 draft - bypassing John Henderson. What a mistake.

This guy may be another Darryl Russel ....

[DanTurksGhost]

Let's see what this staff can do with him. I have a lot of confidence in Coyer/Kiffin. Low risk move, I would imagine.

[Balls Out]

Let's see what this staff can do with him. I have a lot of confidence in Coyer/Kiffin. Low risk move, I would imagine.

Agreed...he obviously has the skill set, you don't get drafted 6 overall by accident...let's see what a change of scenery and coaching can do for him...

[dbucfan]

I like the attention to DT.  Don't know much about Simms - will have to check out his stats.  

Too bad we are not gonna find out about how the CJ MC deal would have turned out.

I do feel better hearing BucLord dislikes him - suspect Coyer and Monte discussed this and wanted him, but it could have been the Glazers working outside the system again. Darn owners.

  Oh no, buclord might be ..... right?  Doubt it, we will see

[Pick6]

Let's see what this staff can do with him. I have a lot of confidence in Coyer/Kiffin. Low risk move, I would imagine.

yeah, this guy could go the way of darrell russell (as in not making the team, not videotaping sexual assault) or chris hovan - the one thing both guys had in common was low salary and no guaranteed money in tampa.

the only thing that concerns me is that, unlike hovan, isn't a case of not fitting a scheme, herm edwards needs the same things out of his DTs that we do.

[whobdis]

Let's see what this staff can do with him. I have a lot of confidence in Coyer/Kiffin. Low risk move, I would imagine.

I'd rather bash him now..even though I've watched maybe 2 Kansas City games in 5 years and really
know little of how he's played. Besides..if a team let them go they must suck..unless we let them
go and then they were on the brink of being all-pros.

[DanTurksGhost]

the only thing that concerns me is that, unlike hovan, isn't a case of not fitting a scheme, herm edwards needs the same things out of his DTs that we do.

The Bucs are going to move Ryan Sims to SS.

LOL!

[mjs020294]

Well Hovan was considered a dud in Minni, and he turned out OK.  Lets hope the change of scenery and new challenge as the same effect on Sims.