Sims Was Just Too Good For the Bucs to Pass Up

Sims Was Just Too Good For the Bucs to Pass UpTampa Bay Buccaneers third-round draft pick, running back Charles Sims, runs with the ball during NFL football rookie camp Friday, May 16, 2014, in Tampa, Fla. Sims played his college football at West Virginia. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) By Rick Brown    THE LEDGERMay 19, 2014 at 2:59 pmTAMPA When Tampa Bay was scheduled to pick in the third round, the staff couldn't believe running back Charles Sims was still on the board.Sims has the size (6 feet 1) and the quickness and, with more than 200 catches in his collegiate career, the attributes to be an immediate success in the league.The Bucs selected him, and Sims didn't disappoint during rookie mini-camp.Sims was able to get deep on linebackers during the camp Saturday, pulling in what would likely have been touchdowns if it had been a regular-season game.Bucs coach Lovie Smith said Sims' selection had nothing to do with their feelings on running backs Doug Martin, Mike James or Bobby Rainey. They were just that high on Sims."We had a good running back group, but we felt Charles would bring something else to the group," Smith said. "He has excellent hands and great quickness. He has a little more size, a little more height than the running backs. You can't have too many good running backs. We'll let it play out, but he'll give us a little bit more in the passing game than we've had."Martin is still slated as the team's starter. In addition to 1,454 yards rushing his rookie season in 2012, Martin added 472 yards on 49 catches and another score. He has the same ability as Sims but is four inches shorter.Sims never had less than 37 receptions in college and had a high of 70 during his freshman season. He averaged 10.80 yards per reception in college.His college career started at the University of Houston. He sat out his sophomore season in 2010 because of academics. He returned and graduated on time and was granted a fifth year. He transferred to West Virginia and rushed for a career-high 1,095 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught 45 catches for 401 yards and three scores."I'm used to playing slot," Sims said. "Catching balls is something I like to do. It's not much of a challenge."On Saturday he showed that. Starting in the slot, he turned an out pattern, into a go route, easily beating the linebacker by two steps and hauling in the deep completion.The Bucs are also working with him as a kick returner."Charles Sims is an excellent football player, has excellent hands, which he's been able to show to us," Smith said. "Charles has returned (and) feels comfortable with the kickoffs. I wanted to know if he's ever returned punts. He hasn't. If you have good hands, normally you can do a few things, and we'll keep working on that."Whether as a third-down back or normal backup, Sims just wants to be on the team."As a kid you dream of being in the NFL," he said. "Now it's here. You have to capitalize and make the best of your opportunity."So far, so good for him.