How Good Is Charles Sims?
October 11th, 2015
It’s time for offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to show what he’s made of and maximize Charles Sims.
It’s time for offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and Lovie Smith to take a long hard look at how they use one of the most dangerous weapons in the Bucs’ arsenal.
Charles Sims is no fluke. He catches what’s thrown his way — 14 catches this year for a whopping 193 yards. And Sims routinely has revealed explosiveness in the open field that turns heads, the kind of juice Doug Martin has shown off this season as a runner.
Sims was Tampa Bay’s leading receiver today, four catches for 85 yards, including a 56-yard, screen-pass, third-down explosion that arguably sealed the win against the Jaguars.
Those precious, soft hands — and the standout pop — are why the Bucs drafted Sims in the third round last year when they didn’t need a running back.
Sims wasn’t healthy in 2014, but the Bucs forced him into the lineup. It should be painfully obvious by now, despite Joe screaming about it through the second half of last season.
So now what? It’s on Koetter to get Sims more touches, the right touches. And it should be easy. Koetter’s already realized that the screen pass is a safe zone for America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, but a nightmare for opponents. Plus, there’s so much more Sims can do in the pass game.
For some reason, the Bucs aren’t connecting on deep balls to wide receivers, so it’s even more imperative to expand Sims’ role. Played correctly, it could open up opportunities all over the field.
October 11th, 2015 at 7:04 pm
Sims, Martin and Rainey all had a fantastic day. Each contributed differently, but that’s the beauty of having 3 backs like them.
October 11th, 2015 at 7:04 pm
He’s an exciting player.
Nice and different dimension for us.
October 11th, 2015 at 7:06 pm
Agree, D R.
October 11th, 2015 at 7:08 pm
Sims contributed crucial plays in the win. Another player that has received a lot of criticism in the past who is a big gain or TD waiting to happen.
October 11th, 2015 at 7:10 pm
So the Oline is working well, the running game/ RB’s are making big plays, but our touted BIG W/R can’t get anything going? Come on Dirk, unleash ‘Merika’s QB. The running game has to open up the pass sometime doesn’t it?
October 11th, 2015 at 7:13 pm
Sims ran out of bounds twice late in the game stopping the clock for the Jags.
October 11th, 2015 at 7:16 pm
I stuck up for Sims over the summer. Why? Because Buc fans generally label a player a bust after only a handful of NFL games. It’s what they do. Whereas I always say judge a player after his 3rd season. Sims was a waste of a pick, Sims is no good. blah blah blah they went all summer long.
Yes I still have my nasty ulcer going on and I went to the game with lots of gas pains in my chest, but I was LOUD when our D was out on the field. My hand is numb from hitting the seat next to me. Wish I could say the same for most Buc fans that attended this game.
October 11th, 2015 at 7:17 pm
pete…one of the times he was pushed.
October 11th, 2015 at 7:19 pm
87′
Hang in there brotha
October 11th, 2015 at 7:25 pm
@Pete
One of those he was shoved….no chance to stay in.
Sims has speed….something we really lack at WR…..
When ASJ gets back, our screens will be even more effective…..and I suspect our WRs will have better days.
October 11th, 2015 at 7:26 pm
I too was disappointed that we didn’t take a guard in the third round in 2014 but I never called him a bust like almost everyone else on here and Bucsnation. Let’s see if we can get him on the field with Doug and play him in the slot one in awhile. He looks like one of the best 3rd down backs in the league if he keeps playing how he has the last 3 games. Go Charles!
October 11th, 2015 at 7:36 pm
I was starting to have my doubts, but Sims was dangerous today with those screens.. I’m really liking the Martin/Sims combo. Martin with those jukes today, Sims breaking away, fckin beautiful!
October 11th, 2015 at 7:42 pm
I think they used him quite well today. Maybe putting him in the slot more?
October 11th, 2015 at 7:46 pm
Simms nice skill set. Like dk working him in with Martin. Also, like dk keeping he in that 20-25 pass amount. Too early in his career to be slinging unf it around the field 40+ times. Once in awhile maybe necessary but I like the more conservative approach with our rookie.
October 11th, 2015 at 7:50 pm
87… you should of held a sign saying YELL LOUDER, I’M HARD OF HEARING.
October 11th, 2015 at 8:08 pm
Buccfan37…either that or “Stop Texting And Be Loud”.
I have brought a “Be Loud “sign before to RayJay. I held it up and fans looked at like a curious puppy tilting their heads like huh what’s that mean.
October 11th, 2015 at 8:20 pm
Can’t wait to see the Bucs play TNF. You guys are lucky that get to see them play every week
October 11th, 2015 at 8:21 pm
Sims has a Mike Pittman type of running style. He’s not a great runner. His niche is definitely the screen game. I like the way they’re using him right now. The way Doug is running, you don’t want to take touches away from him. I think, as the season goes on, we will see Koetter using Sims in an expanded role. Props to the O line!!! EDS should start packing his bags from now.
October 11th, 2015 at 8:37 pm
Bucs Fan #7423 Says:
October 11th, 2015 at 8:20 pm
“Can’t wait to see the Bucs play TNF. You guys are lucky that get to see them play every week.”
That’s a matter of of opinion, some would say, we’re not lucky at all to watch them play on certain weeks. Not me, but some would say that.
October 11th, 2015 at 8:38 pm
I’d say they’re getting excelent production out of a #2 RB. What more do you want? If Martin is running well I don’t see why they would change whats working.
The only way I could see working him in more is playing him in the slot or out wide.
October 11th, 2015 at 8:55 pm
I think we’ll see him move to slot at times, however lining him up in the backfield keeps defenses honest bc we can honestly hand off or send him out on a route. Koetter called a really good game plan let’s hope he can continue. JW doesn’t need to throw 40 times a game.
October 11th, 2015 at 8:56 pm
Sims is working out wellas the third down back. He doesnt have the run
October 11th, 2015 at 8:56 pm
He doesnt have the runnin
October 11th, 2015 at 8:58 pm
The only thing this offense is missing is a true #1 receiver. V-Jax is good, Martin and simms are good backs and the o-line is going to get better and better with the young guys. But Mike Evans is slow, runs poor routes and now is not winning contested catches and if he is not doing that he is below average because he cannot get open.
October 11th, 2015 at 9:02 pm
ndog, evans is hurt plain and simple hamstring if you dont rest just goes forever, they should have shut him down from the get
October 11th, 2015 at 9:18 pm
Evans isn’t going up and getting the ball at its highest point. Need to attack the ball.
October 11th, 2015 at 9:23 pm
Running out of bounds in that situation is acceptable if after a huge gain.
October 11th, 2015 at 9:37 pm
Charles Sims looked fast, super fast, when he got the ball today. I’d love to see more of that explosiveness this season.
October 11th, 2015 at 9:40 pm
I saw Sims in training camp and he has a quickness that no one else on our team has. He’s not exceptionally fast, evidenced by the fact he was run down today by a LB when he had a good 5-7 yards on him, but he has quickness that is special. He seems better when catching passes, but he’s been decent running the ball as well. If he can continue to stay healthy, he’ll prove to be a good pick.
October 11th, 2015 at 9:49 pm
evans isnt hurt from what i can tell, just immature and playing weak towards the ball.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:11 pm
There’s nothing to figure out. Dirk used both of them superbly. Our offense even with a rookie signal-caller is light years better than last year. Muscle Hamster is definitely the lead back but Sims lined up out wide, in the backfield and was very involved. I’m a big fan of Koetter’s and feel fortunate to have hm as our O.C. The burden is on opposing defenses not our offense. It’s a joy to watch Sims finally putting it all together. This guy has skills. Don’t look now but our offense is capable of putting up points in bunches. The disappointment has been the defense and today’s game didn’t put that to bed. they made some plays but our secondary was toasted all day without our 2 better corners in there. I still fail to understand how Verner wasn’t starting. If there is an injury, I understand but that didn’t appear to be the case.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:13 pm
Buc1987 … Agree that Bucs fans are much too quiet. Large group of Jaguar fans in the Northeast middle tier made a lot more noise when Bucs were on offense than Bucs fans did when Jags were on offense.
Maybe we all just need to be retrained. We get ahead so rarely at RayJay in games that Bucs fans have forgotten how to act.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:35 pm
@cmurda Agreed. DK did what an OC is supposed to do. Put the players in a position to succeed. After that, it is up the player. Today, the offensive backfield did that. The OL did their job too. Solid game there.
The defensive secondary is a mystery. Tim “Got Burned Again” Jennings has been a total downgrade. His penalties just kill the defense. Seriously, where is Verner?
October 11th, 2015 at 10:42 pm
Who caught Sims from behind on that screen pass?
October 11th, 2015 at 10:44 pm
DefenseRules…dude I was so pissed at our fans I up and walked out of the stands in the 3rd quarter. You can read my whole rant on the Doug Martin thread. I was livid and I let the fans in my section know just how lame they are as I walked away to a TV. When 3,000 Jags fans are 10 times louder for their D than our 30,000 or so Buc fans at OUR stadium. That is just something I couldn’t stomach. Let alone the damn ulcer I have going on. I was pissed.
October 11th, 2015 at 10:47 pm
Scotty…I don’t know but Sims did seem to slow down though before he was caught. He took off like a rocket after he caught it though, I thought he was gone for a TD.
October 11th, 2015 at 11:05 pm
Good game for him, but 2 plays he went needlessly out of bounds and one of those would have killed the clock when we were closing the game out. I think he’s afraid to take a hit when it counts.
October 11th, 2015 at 11:10 pm
Nash…one of those plays he was pushed out of bounds. I you scroll up, I’m not the only one saying that or just watch the replay.
October 11th, 2015 at 11:10 pm
If*
October 12th, 2015 at 12:04 am
Not really worried about Evans , he’s an athletic monster! End of discussion . Winston has a lot of options he can go with . I like dirk koetter and his offensive system and I get you gotta attack mismatches . If it’s not really working the way you want and guys aren’t producing very well then sub them out . A dream scenario for Winston is everyone runs perfect routes and and get enough separation time for Winston too throw them the ball accurately . If they’re dropping easy catches or hard catches it don’t matter because they’re not producing . A real slot speedy slot WR would help dirk and his offense a lot , another complete TE would certainly help a lot more also . Winston should be able too look left right center and see anyone he wants be open this season . No reason that shouldn’t happen every game with Evans Jackson and Jenkins . Jenkins will be a great prospect he’s really growing well with Winston and I could see him being a huge asset next year with Jackson probably gone.
October 12th, 2015 at 12:10 am
Logan mankins don’t need too play LG again this season, he’s a penalty machine and don’t seem too help anyone. I’m completely okay with Kevin pamphile playing LG right now and possibly the rest of the season
October 12th, 2015 at 1:58 am
That’s where I disagree Matt. I’ll take Mankins all day and especially on Sundays over Pamphile. These guys feed off Mankins and the guy is better than he is given credit for. When Dotson returns, then that might be a different story. In 5 games now, the O Line has been the least of our concerns. This defense especially at DE and CB has issues. Verner should never be on the bench. If Lovie actually benched Verner for no reason other than he feels better about Jennings, then Lovie needs a Snickers bar.
October 12th, 2015 at 2:51 am
lol @ snickers
October 12th, 2015 at 3:51 am
Tampa its starting to find the balance with this guy and should use him snd Mike Evans exclusively in slot on more plays to get Winston comfortable but they can definitely gey creative on offense and have a possession personnel and big play personnel if they want to utilize Evans more on the outside then they have to takr V jax out and put more speed around evans speed like ASJ and Sims as rather it be slot or RB2 in shotgun two back formations. They definitely need to call for majority runs giving Sims and Martin not only equal snaps but equal carries and targets in the receiving game. They also should look at more pistol formation it was his offensive scheme in college and I think he can thrive in that system.
October 12th, 2015 at 4:34 am
@Matt Says – I agree with Cmurda Says. Kevin Pamphile is not as good as the BBQ Master right now. Watch the game film. Pamphile got burned several times. Donovan Smithereens played really well. Mongo and Grizzly Hawley played with there usual gusto. Gosder Cherrios was much improved too. Charles Sims is looking great, however, he is not as good as Doug Martin. Keep things like they are, don’t break whats not broken. The other player I noticed really stepping up was Brandon Myers. His blocking was outstanding. That is the one thing I noticed was Sims needs improvement with his blocking. Myers caught the ball when asked and was “johnny on the spot” on running plays.
October 12th, 2015 at 10:01 am
If Sims has another solid performance, I would be interested to see if the Bucs might try to work a trade deal in before the deadline to bring in some good picks for next year and give Sims full time duties. Maybe even give Rainey some more time on the field if he continues showing the wiggle that he’s had in the return game.