[vincesanity82]

In an interview with PewterReport.com, Bucs quarterback Chris Simms explains that the emergency splenectomy he underwent last September has made it difficult for him to learn how to throw a football again.

Simms was unable to throw at all until December, and it has taken him time to get back his ability to do so effectively.

"I am 100 percent healthy," Simms said, "but I'm not where I want to be from a throwing standpoint. It's not that I feel so bad throwing the football right now, but I have to get my body used to it. You always hear a lot about quarterbacks and timing, and for whatever reason that seems to be taking me more time to get back than anything else. . . .

"It's frustrating. It really is, and on a lot of levels, because not only was my abdomen tight from the injury and surgery, but my arm was tight as well because I hadn't thrown a football in so long."

So what's the problem?

"I think I probably developed some bad habits at first because I was trying to protect my stomach when I was throwing," Simms said. "Right now I’m really more or less trying to get rid of those bad habits so I can get back into my good ones. You know, just throw the ball the way I know how."

So maybe that's why coach Jon Gruden recently declared that newcomer Jeff Garcia is the clubhouse leader in the race to be the starter. It's not that Garcia is blowing anyone way -- it's that Simms simply isn't ready.

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[simple simon]

this kid has been through so much i would love to see him do well

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by simple simon

this kid has been through so much i would love to see him do well

I agree, he deserves it after the struggles hes went through..

[vincesanity82]

Simms Taking It All In Stride

Jon Gruden says Jeff Garcia is clearly the leader in the clubhouse right now to be the Bucs starting quarterback.
If you think the news alarms Chris Simms, think again.In talking to Simms at length yesterday, you can still hear the confidence oozing out of him. And that's confidence in both his ability and the potential of his team.
Tampa's 2006 starting quarterback is more interested in getting healthy and getting his cannon-like arm strength back after having his spleen removed.
Simms told us, "Physically I am 100 percent. I can run, lift, take a hit. It is just that I am not throwing the ball right now as well as I can. Throwing the ball is something I've always taken pride in. I have a strong arm and am pretty accurate. I'm just not where I would like to be yet.
"I think a little bit is the confidence. And secondly, when I first started throwing again, I got myself in some bad habits. I was compensating for my abdomen area. I am breaking myself of those habits slowly but surely. It's getting much better week to week. It is the first time in my life I have went such a long period without throwing a football. I think I didn't take into account that it would take a while getting back into the normal flow."
Simms thinks this Tampa team can be a force this year. He loves the pick-up of Luke Petitgout and the upside of young lineman Arron Sears. And he thinks the incumbents on the offensive line are truly underrated.
As far as Gruden's proclamation that Garcia is currently the top dog, Simms chalked that up to Gruden being Gruden and treated it with a bit of self-deprecating humor.
"I don't read into it much. Coach is a guy who is very emotional. He tends to talk when his emotions get caught up sometimes. It's June 13th. It's way too early for me to worry about that. When preseason rolls around and true summer camp starts for real, then I think it is the time to evaluate what is going on. Hey, if we are going to take OTAs into account, I should've been in the last four Pro Bowls!"


FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Simms taking it all in stride