[CBFF] [Fwd: Pondering Chris Simms' future]

[Tom Shannon]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Pondering Chris Simms' future
Date: 	Thu, 1 May 2008 17:20:55 PDT
From: 	<ESPN.com - Hashmarks - Blog>



Pondering Chris Simms' future 
<http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-7-11/Pondering-Chris-Simms--future.html> 
<http://myespn.go.com/profile/violation?ou=hashmarksadmin&at=7&vid=1209687655305>

May 1, 2008 8:20 PM

/Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas/

Now that it's become obvious the Bucs haven't been able to trade 
quarterback Chris Simms, they're pretty much down to one option. They 
Bucs almost certainly will have to cut Simms, who once was their starter.

That's not necessarily bad news for Simms because it could open at least 
one more potential landing spot. As a rule, teams don't like to trade 
players to division opponents. But, once a player is released, he's fair 
game to all.

For the moment, this is nothing more than a random thought, but wouldn't 
it make a lot of sense for the Carolina Panthers to bring in Simms if 
he's released?

Sure, Simms has some health questions. He hasn't played since having his 
spleen removed after being injured in a 2006 game against Carolina. But 
Simms used to be a starter and he's got a big arm. He also would come at 
a pretty minimal price.

Beyond economics, this move would make a lot of sense for Carolina. The 
Panthers are currently placing all their hopes on the elbow of Jake 
Delhomme, who's coming off Tommy John surgery. They're also high on Matt 
Moore and Brett Basanez as backups, but neither is ready to step in as a 
long-term starter.

Coach John Fox survived last season largely because he'd tell anyone 
that would listen how tough it is to win without your quarterback. But 
that excuse isn't going to fly two years in a row if something happens 
to Delhomme.

The Panthers brought in David Carr last year and he failed miserably 
once Delhomme went down. But the Carr move made a lot of sense at the 
time the Panthers signed him. He was a former starter with some upside.

Simms fits that same profile and he won't cost nearly as much as Carr. 
Maybe Simms is healthy enough to play again and maybe he's not. Either 
way, the risk in signing him is minimal and, at least potentially, he 
could give the Panthers a nice insurance policy behind Delhomme.


-- 
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