Banking On Sims Breakout

November 5th, 2014
Are the Bucs pinning too much hope on rookie RB Charles Sims?

Are the Bucs pinning too much hope on rookie RB Charles Sims?

The Bucs offense hasn’t been so good. In fact, it’s horrible.

The Bucs currently rank No. 31 in the NFL in yards per game. Can’t run and too often can’t pass. When they can run; they can’t pass. When they can pass; they can’t run.

Not a good combination.

It seems, from Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com, that the problem with the passing game may lie in that it is one-dimensional. The Bucs don’t often try short passes to the running backs, insteading opting for deep balls to receivers who often don’t shake loose.

(Is that a sign that the Bucs need a burner?)

Yasinskas believes the answer may be heralded rookie, running back Charles Sims.

Starter Doug Martin, who is not a great pass-catcher, has only nine receptions. Backup Bobby Rainey has 23 catches, but the Bucs could be getting more receptions out of the backfield.

That would prevent defenses from loading up on the running game. It also would help take defensive attention away from the wide receivers.

There’s hope for this on the near horizon. Rookie running back Charles Sims has been activated off injured reserve and could make his season debut Sunday against Atlanta. Sims has been sidelined with an ankle injury, but the Bucs have had big plans for him ever since they drafted him in the third round.

Joe remembers this summer talking to someone who works within the walls of One Buc Palace who seemed to believe running back Doug Martin was a tad overrated as a pass-catcher. If actions speak louder than words, then this may be a team-shared theory, not just one man’s opinion.

Right now, Joe thinks the Bucs are bordering on panic; they are grasping at straws. The Bucs have now turned to a journeyman turnover machine to right the ship, and seem to be placing a boatload of hope on a guy who has never taken a snap in the NFL.

And you know what Joe says about that ugly word “hope.”

25 Responses to “Banking On Sims Breakout”

  1. RastaMon Says:

    If Sims starts and McClown starts will that not skew the QB comparisons ?

  2. Skyline Crew Says:

    Who cares! FIRE LOVIE!!!!!!

  3. Buccfan37 Says:

    Sims, it could’nt hurt. With Atlanta coming in with a longer winless streak than the Bucs, who knows who wins this meaningless dog of a game, this show of cellar dwellers where the fans have run off in disgust. Not many care anymore. I’m even losing my normal Bucs fervor. The ship is close to going completely out of sight as it sinks below the waves. Lovie, you sunk my pirate ship.

  4. bucrightoff Says:

    No pressure Charles, apparently the entire success of the offense hinges on you playing.

  5. Fort Myers Dave Says:

    Sims definitely can not hurt the Bucs, perhaps a new wrinkle may actually garner the Yuks some points. Of course McNown is gonna be rusty and I bet he turns the ball over a couple of times ala the Ram game which will probably negate anything positive to be gained from Sims. Also remember who is calling the plays for the Bucs: Arroyo! Its painfully obvious that the play schemes are not overly complicated and rather predictable leading to the one-dimensional label. It also seems like Arroyo has carte blanche with offense as Lovie will not override the dudes nimrod play calling as illustrated by Lovie’s comments after the Cleveland loss. Sims could help but incompetence by the coaching staff will likely stunt anything gained by the kid IMHO but hopefully I am proven wrong by a Buc win!!!!

  6. billy buckaroo Says:

    Atlanta is going to come after McCown early with everything they can.
    The play calling in the first few series is going to be CRUCIAL!

    If Arroyo comes out with this generic stuff or poor play selection as in last week you can forget about it.
    Arroyo’s game plan for the first few series will set the tone for the whole game.
    Glennon made some poor passes last week but the play calling at crucial times was more costly
    Arroyo and Lovie better get on the same page very fast as to how they want to get this game started

  7. RastaMon Says:

    Mike Smith >Lovie Smith

  8. Dean Says:

    I agree with you about the word “hope”. So, let’s change that to a more familiar word…..”spark”. We all know that no position on offense can affect the production more than QB. So, let’s look at the bottom line:
    The Bucs can tank this season for Winston or whomever, or continue to make changes to try and find some “spark” with Josh. At this point, I don’t really care. If they can at least find out who needs to stay and who needs to go, then, at least something slightly positive is being accomplished.

  9. Zam Says:

    Evans is a great receiver, but they already had a possession receiver in Vincent Jackson. That was a head-scratcher for a team that was going to “win now”.

    As for a rebuilding pick, very good. But there’s no speed guy still and that is hurting.

    With QB’s whose accuracy stinks, you need a burner. Jump balls only work when you can throw it on a dime. I’ll give McCown another couple games. Glennon had 18.

  10. RastaMon Says:

    The was a surge in Season Ticket sales last srping……I don’t know about those that just bought…but I have had mine since the Ray Perkins hiring…..I have already told the Bucs I will not be renewing…

  11. DB55 Says:

    Mccown > Glennon
    Herron >Page
    Patton > Page
    MJ > Clay
    Sims > Martin

    Pinning your hopes on a rookie is a solid game plan.

    All sarcasm

  12. Patrickbucs Says:

    @rasta

    Mike Smith has what one playoff victory with all that talent over the years? He loses Sunday he’s gone most likely on Monday.

    You not renewing your tickets is not going to hurt the Glazers. The Bucs host 4 sell outs or close to for sure next year: Saints, Cowboys, Giants, and probably Chicago. $4-$9 million in lost revenue is not as much as people think with all the league generates per team in the other games that will have issues selling out. Example 100,000 tickets at $50 is $5million an average of about 40,000 the other 4 games not including confessions is my estimated figure.

    I hope they hire a true NFL consultant who will then hire a name or 2 to be President that take charge top-down. Here’s hoping we draft a potential star QB because right now we do not even have a good one.

  13. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    This is a joke, right?

    Sims isn’t any good. I know you people are hoping that isn’t the case, but he is no savior.

    @DB55

    Herron and Patton greater than Page???
    Sims, who hasn’t played in the regular season, greater than Martin???

    You really are an idiot. It amazes me how much proof you provide.

  14. DB55 Says:

    Bonzai

    I was being sarcastic. My last sentence says “all sarcasm”. I feel the same as you.

  15. DB55 Says:

    It’s lovie that feels that way.

  16. RastaMon Says:

    @Patrick…I have no delusions about “hurting” the Glazers….I am partialy making a statement about not paying for bad entertainment….more likely …times have changed…the game has changed…the game day expirence has changed …and I have changed…I don’t have the passion and willingness to spend the time, energy and money for what is a full day commitment of time

  17. Brandon Says:

    RastaMon Says:
    November 5th, 2014 at 11:04 am
    The was a surge in Season Ticket sales last srping……I don’t know about those that just bought…but I have had mine since the Ray Perkins hiring…..I have already told the Bucs I will not be renewing…
    —————

    And when they start winning again you’ll be back. That’s your prerogative and that’s also how it should work. If you don’t win, I don’t spend my hard-earned money on you. I don’t blame you. I’m not going to the Redskins-Bucs game this year even though the game is in DC and tickets are affordable simply because I don’t want to go.

  18. Brandon Says:

    On a positive note, the Bucs offense is ranked #31 right now. That’s an improvement over last season, things are looking up!

  19. DB55 Says:

    I was offered free tickets to the ATL game twice this week (by two different people) and turned them down. They said they have tried but can’t give them away. Lol

  20. RastaMon Says:

    @ Brandon…”And when they start winning again you’ll be back”….No..I thought I explained why…I was 28 when I walked into the 1 st season game ever…on a whim…something new in sleepy Tampa town….I’m 66 now…like I said alot has changed….I think Mark Cuban was on to something..if you know what I am talking about

  21. SOEbuc Says:

    D BROOKS FOR PRESIDENT! yes…i like this

  22. Celly Says:

    billy buckaroo Says:
    November 5th, 2014 at 10:49 am

    Glennon made some poor passes last week but the play calling at crucial times was more costly

    Glennon missed 3 basic throws that should’ve led to TDs.

    Fan’s care about the draft; coaches care about wins.

  23. Celly Says:

    Zam Says:
    November 5th, 2014 at 11:04 am

    With QB’s whose accuracy stinks, you need a burner. Jump balls only work when you can throw it on a dime. I’ll give McCown another couple games. Glennon had 18.

    That’s the most backwards thing i’ve read today. Its only noon, so I’m sure that’ll change.

    If your inaccurate QB can’t hit a WR in stride, a burner isn’t going to be beneficial.

  24. Buctebow Says:

    “The Bucs don’t often try short passes to the running backs, insteading opting for deep balls to receivers who often don’t shake loose.” ….and when they do shake loose, Melman “the cannon” can’t throw the ball deep enough to reach them. So much for “the cannon”. Please, no more cannon talk. When is the last time you saw Manning, Brady, or really most any starting QB, throw a deep ball 15 yards short of the receiver?

  25. Patrickbucs Says:

    @rasta

    I hear ya I’m in the same boat for many years