“We’ve Been Working On That A Lot This Year”
May 21st, 2016
Charles Sims’ next step, per running back’s coach Tim Spencer.
Want a quality peek into an upgrade for the 2016 Bucs offense?
Joe’s got a good one.
Running backs coach Tim Spencer was talking to media this week, and he said plenty with his words and body language.
Spencer talked about getting Charles Sims more output in the passing game and how it’s a focus of spring ball.
“We tried to move him outside an awful lot and play some receiver things. He can catch the ball, but in terms of receiver-wise didn’t quite have all those adjustments together,” Spencer said of Sims. “But I think that’s what you saw later in [2015]. And hopefully, we’ve been working on that a lot this year, so I think you should see some improvement this year from him. Route running, reading on the run. … He can run all the receiver routes, really.”
But watch the Buccaneers.com video and see how the rather mellow Spencer perks up when he says how “we’ve been working on that a lot,” referring to Sims practicing route-running adjustments this spring.
Keep in mind Sims caught 51 balls last year, the most by a Bucs running back since Michael Pittman’s 2003 season. Also remember that former Bucs quarterback Chris Simms covered Sims a lot in college at West Virginia. When Sims was drafted, Simms and declared him to be a major NFL receiving threat and the best wide receiver on the Mountaineers. Yes, “wide receiver.”
Sims’ receiving talent and development is a big X-factor for the Bucs’ offense, especially given how thin the Bucs are at the position.
May 21st, 2016 at 10:18 am
We can only hope!
May 21st, 2016 at 10:28 am
Well, just goes to Joe ya, we’ve got a plan to spread the ball around. Less whimpering about our WR depth please.
May 21st, 2016 at 10:35 am
Best slot receiver on the team. Our modern day Kevin Faulk.
May 21st, 2016 at 10:52 am
I would love to see martin and sims on the field at the same time. I don’t recall that ever happening last season. Come on Dirk! Keep tour best players on the field. I’d rather see Sims line up at WR than Dontae Dye.
May 21st, 2016 at 10:58 am
Sims, ASJ and Vitale are the reasons that Licht was not targeting another receiver in the draft this year. All are legit receiving threats and will be utilized as such.
May 21st, 2016 at 11:22 am
@Pickgrin,
BINGO! I firmly believe Licht is try to bake in receiver quality into all the skill positions. Teams can’t cover all of them. Sims did very well last year. I expect him to even better this year.
I’m very interested in seeing how Vitale turns out. I have pretty high expectations for the kid. His pass catching skills could make for another multifaceted weapon for JW3 to feed. He’s built like a linebacker and could be a load to tackle.
The future looks bright indeed!
GO BUCS!
GO BOLTS!
May 21st, 2016 at 11:23 am
also add to the mix Vitale a fullback who can catch and I think we are atleast a wild card..
May 21st, 2016 at 11:28 am
Lenny Moore lives! Yeah!
May 21st, 2016 at 11:46 am
Glad to hear they are looking into that more. I was saying all last year that he should be our slot receiver/third down back. Clearly has the receiving skills and ability to get yards after catch. Curious to see what bell brings to the table though too.
May 21st, 2016 at 11:53 am
And to think there were those who wanted to throw sims away before last season started. You know kind of the way those same people want to throw away kenny bell smh.
May 21st, 2016 at 12:24 pm
Charles Sims/Kenny Bell in the slot??
May 21st, 2016 at 12:33 pm
I still believe that Louis Murphy is our best slot receiver, if he can stay healthy. He has the size,speed, hands and he runs good routes.
May 21st, 2016 at 12:39 pm
I still think we could use a good WR…..perhaps a veteran FA pickup for a 1 year contract.
At this point we have:
Vjax, ME13, Murphy, Bell, Humphries, Shepard & Dye…….I think we might carry 7 WRs with the cutting of Rainey…..so, the relacement could be for Murphy or Dye….assuming Bell works out.
We do have some potential with Sims & Vitale in the recieving area.
I may get blasted for this….but I have been somewhat impressed with Shepard when he’s on the field….I think he’s versitile and a great ST player.
May 21st, 2016 at 1:11 pm
What up WVU that’s where my gf from
May 21st, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Hey Joe, what do you think about a NO HUDDLE with Sims and Vitale, Evans and Vjax, with ASJ or Brate, that’s like a 5 receiver set in a base offense, unstoppable
May 21st, 2016 at 2:14 pm
The Bucs are NOT that thin at the WR position, Joe. Humphries showed he could play and the arrow is pointing up with him. Dye, I know Joe thinks is CFL quality, but he made the club as a UDFA from a tiny college, which is impressive in itself. He has some speed and upside and will only get better. And then, as Joe knows, the Bucs staff does like Kenny Bell and even Evan Spencer… Will be interesting to see how well Murphy comes back. Sure, it would’ve been nice to draft a dynamic #3 and heir to VJax, but I still think they’re going to be more than fine with the guys they have. Calling them thin is a bit of a stretch.
May 21st, 2016 at 3:17 pm
Been seeing a lot of talking heads talking about the top backfields and not many if any giving credit to the best duo last year behind a renovated offensive line. No respect for the season they had combined, did this with a defense that couldn’t stop anyone, so we had to pass in some games and pass early
May 21st, 2016 at 3:48 pm
glad the Bucs see the potential in Sims.was puzzled everytime I saw Martin
and Rainey miscast trying to catch a wheel route. a skillset I always thought was in Sims wheelhouse
May 21st, 2016 at 4:50 pm
More of this please!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPgh1O5tBdA
May 21st, 2016 at 4:52 pm
Really intrigued by a potential backfield or formations that combine Sims and Vitale. This team has done a great job of adding versatile players that add a lot of flexibility and skills. Possible lack of WR depth can be overcome with scheme, formations, and/or playmakers in other areas. Plus the offense should be better as a whole in year two under Dirk Koetter and with the addition of Todd Monken.
May 21st, 2016 at 5:22 pm
Another example of why Jason Licht didn’t waste a pick on a WR. The guy LOOKS like a receiver. Between him, Humphries, and Kenny Bell we have some nice depth. The thing this team has always lacked is the ability to DEVELOP!
I am going to go as far as saying this will end up proving to be the best coaching staff and GM ever for this team. Yes better than ever. Time will tell but thats my gut feeling!!!
Go Bucs!!!
May 21st, 2016 at 5:31 pm
The receiver cup runneth over with possibilities. Break up the Bucs!
May 21st, 2016 at 8:02 pm
Why does this guy keep saying “break up the bucs”? What am I missing here?
May 21st, 2016 at 9:58 pm
I’m looking forward to Sims and Vitale lining up in the I, and then Sims shifting to a WR and Vitale to a wing…with LB’s in coverage…
May 22nd, 2016 at 7:49 am
It’s so nice to finally have a RB that is a threat in the passing and can take it to the house any time they throw him a screen oass. I got excited every time they ran a screen last year because it was always good for a 1st down at the very least. That’s one thing other teams always had but we didnt. The bucs have never had a screen game if you’ve noticed so that’s another weapon to add to this potent offense. Sims is one of the most u deranged weapons on this offense imo. He made every pass and carry count last season by evidence of 1000 yards from scrimmage. And he’s just getting started. 😈