Licht: Charles Sims Is “Way Ahead Of Schedule”
October 6th, 2014
Good news is on the horizon. Joe hopes it soothes the excruciating pain of the overtime beating in New Orleans.
Yesterday, Bucs general manager explained there’s a shake up coming at running back.
Rookie RB Charles Sims, the third-round pick with silky hands out of West Virginia, is “way ahead of schedule” rehabbing his surgically repaired ankle, Licht told the Buccaneers Radio Network pregame show.
“We’re looking forward to having him back against Cleveland,” Licht said.
That Nov. 2 date in Cleveland is the first game in which Sims would be eligible to play, per NFL rules for players given the tag of “injured reserved designated for return.” If healthy, Sims would be permitted to practice with teammates after Sunday’s Week 6 game against the Ravens in Tampa.
Sims broke his ankle in practice Aug. 12 and had surgery. His recovery was estimated at 12-to-14 weeks. Last week, Joe saw Sims walking through the Bucs locker room without a limp or noticeable support.
Mike James might not be long for Tampa Bay, assuming there are no injuries at running back before Sims returns.
October 6th, 2014 at 11:24 am
Good news indeed.
October 6th, 2014 at 11:26 am
Look for them to trade one of the running backs for some defensive help rather than release James.
Which one??
October 6th, 2014 at 11:28 am
New #1 back on the horizon! Cant wait to see him.
October 6th, 2014 at 11:34 am
I’ve been waiting on some news on Sims for a little while. Good to hear that he should be good to go when he’s available.
October 6th, 2014 at 11:43 am
Was actually surprised to hear James was suited up, but I don’t recall him getting any play time.
If all goes as planned, Sims might be able to give us a Shane Vereen-like back in the mold of Marshall Faulk.
October 6th, 2014 at 11:47 am
Some speed and evasive maneuvers from a running back spot as advertised upon drafting, he should shore up depth and give the Bucs a much needed addition to the offense.
October 6th, 2014 at 11:59 am
“Licht: Charles Sims Is “Way Ahead Of Schedule””
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of the season.
October 6th, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Any idea why James is in the doghouse? He looked like our best back last year. Is he not the same since his injury? Just bad practices?
October 6th, 2014 at 12:04 pm
Doug Martin taught me a lesson. Never ask for a rookie’s jersey for Christmas again.
October 6th, 2014 at 12:06 pm
Before letting James, go try him at running back,we need a back that would hit the hole hard. Martin,is not hitting the hole hard and stop running inside the tackles on first down. Teams or crowding the line of scrimmage on first down,why not try wide receiver screens or draws,”Blind play calling.” Martin is to small to run inside the tackles,sent him in the flats no will cover him instead of having him check down in the middle of the field.
October 6th, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Matt Forte 2.0….
October 6th, 2014 at 12:19 pm
who gives a spit? The season’s over! Don’t rush him back, let him get healed up for next year.
October 6th, 2014 at 12:20 pm
Can he pass rush? Or cover?
October 6th, 2014 at 12:21 pm
Yea try to get the focus off of how bad your team really is. Guess we’re planning on trying to outscore everyone else. Can’t believe they couldn’t run against the saints and have them their first interception of the season
October 6th, 2014 at 12:30 pm
Amazing how we thought they were nuts to draft a running back so high. Hats off to the coach and GM.
October 6th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
@bucsdan – read the article again (or at least once)
October 6th, 2014 at 12:49 pm
I find it totally fascinating how so many think that a rookie is going to suddenly create a marvelous running game.
October 6th, 2014 at 1:24 pm
Trade Martin while his name isn’t to tarnished. Keep Rainey and Sims moving forward. I’m sorry but Doug just ain’t gettin it done.
October 6th, 2014 at 1:49 pm
It won’t matter who the running back is if the line doesn’t open any running lanes…
October 6th, 2014 at 1:53 pm
When are they not “ahead of schedule”? LOL
I will be curious to see why we needed to draft this RB, when our line sucked so bad. I would be shocked if he can do much as far as carries goes, since no one else seems to be able to run behind our Oline
October 6th, 2014 at 1:58 pm
the bad news is that coach smith still thinks bobby rainey is better than mike james…. Lovie has missed on so many players this yr… like for instance keeping owusu and cutting murphy who clearly had a better preseason and now that his back he’s proving to be be better wide receiver…. getting rid of the offensive line zuttah, penn, Larsen, joseph,… there is no coincidence that we struggled on the interior line… Knighting Mc CLOWN as the starter with out earning it… Believing in Daquan bowers…. and recently my disgust for not kicking the ball from the 38 yrd line in the panthers game when u have a kicker who yesterday against the saints looked to be good from 65 yrds…. I swear this takes the term SMDH to another Level #ITSABUCSLIFE
October 6th, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Tampa2ali,
I agree with alot of wat u say but, Murphy was hurt and could not start the season I’m pretty sure that they had a plan in place with him. But I soo would rather have James in there and we could’ve used Zuttah. That was just not smart.
#whyrainey??
October 6th, 2014 at 2:22 pm
Great news, Herron’s TD was such a great sign as well. If we can get Sims in the mix now and Glennon more comfy we could have a great second half of the season.
October 6th, 2014 at 2:24 pm
TRADE DOUG MARTIN NOW!!!!!!!!!!!! If they wait until the end of the season, he’ll have next to ZERO good trade value left. ESPECIALLY with the way this season is going for him.
October 6th, 2014 at 2:32 pm
You’re rarely gonna see a starting rb in the NFL getting traded mid-season. With that being said,I hope Sims is up for the job. Doug’s tippy toe dance routine at the line of scrimmage instead of hitting the hole (however small it may be) was driving me crazy.
October 6th, 2014 at 2:42 pm
Martin is worth nothing on the trade market. The season is over. Another pathetic year. If anyone thinks Sims return means anything they are crazy, it doesn’t matter at all. The only thing that matters is the playoffs and the Bucs are out with a capital OUT of contention after 5 measly games.
October 6th, 2014 at 3:03 pm
Why would I get excited about a rookie RB who has proven nothing yet to help this team? We are 1-4 with 3 division losses. We have poor run blocking and a defense that consistently gets smacked around. Why would anyone get excited about this? I’m tired of evaluating players for next year with 10+ games to go in a season. Ok…I’m done complaining now and feel much better.
October 6th, 2014 at 3:22 pm
If Sims is not good at pass protection, we don’t need him.
October 6th, 2014 at 3:24 pm
Martin has not holes to run through, if you haven’t noticed.
October 6th, 2014 at 3:36 pm
The run blocking is absurdly atrocious. Thanks do-no-wrong Lovie and his lapdog Licht!
October 6th, 2014 at 3:49 pm
What exactly has Rainey done this season? 2 splash plays?
Give James some reps.
October 6th, 2014 at 3:54 pm
Some of yall are wrong about Doug Martin. He can be, and I believe he will be the best running back that the Bucs have ever had. We just need to put together a truly dominant O-line for him. Martin showed me his rookie season when he is able to get into the second level cleanly, He can be a punishing power runner. But last year, as well as this year, he’s consistently being met by defenders in the backfield, and that’s hard for any Rb to work with. Draft a huge athletic RG in the first round, and a Center in the Second. Or, maybe vice versa. Either way, we need to open some Running lanes for the Muscle hamster, because if we do, he’ll be a beast of a runner for us.
October 6th, 2014 at 4:09 pm
You can get a very good guard and center in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounds. 1st round lineman picks are left tackles.
October 6th, 2014 at 4:15 pm
I have’nt given up on Martin’s worth to the Bucs yet also. I still think he is the Bucs best back. The team’s lack of a potent running game goes deeper than Martin’s ability to find an opening.
October 6th, 2014 at 4:28 pm
@Bear the Bucs, this is not always the case. Perfect example would be the cowboys, just last year they drafted Zach martin in the first round and they play him at right guard, they also have a Center who they selected in the first. Like Vadal Alexander who appears to be a potential all pro guard. He plays for LSU, was forced into the lineup his freshman year due to injuries, and has been a powerhouse guard ever since. He’s 6’6 342, and has projected 40 time of 5.29. The kid is strong as hell, with tons of athletic ability and upside, I’d take him in the first.
October 6th, 2014 at 7:57 pm
Look at Lovie’s M.O., installing “his” players. Lovie drafted Sims. Martins days are numbered.
Bob
October 6th, 2014 at 8:11 pm
if you think martin is the reason our run game sucks, you should just start following yahoo sports. This line cannot run block…period!
October 6th, 2014 at 9:58 pm
… What Tom Edrington said
October 6th, 2014 at 10:44 pm
Trade Doug Martin to ravens for arthur brown both teams win we get are future middle linbacker they get ray rice replacement… id prefer , ove lavonte to middle already calls plays manned middle in college then brown fills his spot slide foster vs lansannah winner to strong side and lets go bucs
October 7th, 2014 at 12:10 am
We could let Arroyo actually get creative with the running plays called… Direct snap or wildcat formation? Split HB shotgun set? Double reverse? Damnit lets just get these dudes in space… Use the screen pass as a cheap run play or quick outs into the flats for the RB’s… ANYTHING!?! Doug Martin ran too damn good in the preseason to not be doing some serious work.