Prepping For A Flashback Season
June 17th, 2017
Charles Sims quietly blew a lot of minds two seasons ago — in part-time duty.
For starters, Sims caught the most balls by a Bucs running back since Michael Pittman snatched 75 passes out of the air in 2003.
Sims hauled in 51 balls for 561 yards and four touchdowns, extraordinarily complemented by 529 yards on the ground on just 107 carries.
Moving on to last year’s season opener, Sims became an instant national celebrity by turning in this eye-popping catch and 20-yard run for a touchdown in Atlanta. (Video here.)
But then Doug Martin got hurt in Week 2 and Sims was asked to run between the tackles. It wasn’t pretty. And then came Sims’ injuries which cost him nine games and forged a season to forget.
Thankfully, Sims, 26, has a clean record off the field and will earn just $764,00 this season, his contract year. He’s healthy and salivating for a shot to repeat his opening day heroics.
As expected, Sims looked silky smooth and dangerous catching the football in minicamp, especially Wednesday.
After that practice, Joe asked winning head coach Dirk Koetter if he sees Sims now as the same guy who was a versatile standout two seasons ago.
“Yeah, I think he is,” Koetter replied. “I just think you’ve just got to remember, in 2015, we basically had two backs touch the ball every play. The only two backs that touched the ball that whole season were Doug [Martin] and ‘Chuck.’ We had seven halfbacks out there, six of them are getting reps. The only one that isn’t getting reps right now is [Jeremy] McNichols, because he’s injured. I think Chuck had a couple of injuries that he had to overcome. He made a couple of nice plays today. I think if Charles was in that same role, I’m confident that, you know, he would be productive. But the competition is tight. He’s not going to be the only guy competing for that.”
So where does Sims fit in?
Joe’s not sure, but Joe is confident Sims will get his number called if he gets through preseason healthy. The guy is just too dangerous out of the backfield to ignore.
And with all the offensive weapons the Bucs have added, Sims might have quite a bit more room to operate on a couple of screens and a couple of checkdowns per game.
June 17th, 2017 at 11:00 am
Charles Sims is the Bucs best receiving back. I predict a solid season from him this season.
June 17th, 2017 at 11:03 am
It’s seems to me that Sims is a lot stronger receiver than runner. So, they should be working him in the slot and forget about his limit abilities as a runner.
June 17th, 2017 at 11:26 am
LakeLandBuc
might want to check out McNichols highlights before making that claim. Sims is fragile and one dimensional at best.
June 17th, 2017 at 11:36 am
tmaxcon…I was hoping the Bucs draft Jeremy McNichols, but he is no where near Charles Sims as a receiving back. McNichols has good hands and all, but Charles sims is in a league of his own, when it comes to catching the ball out of the backfield. I know that McNichols caught 103 passes in 3 seasons at Boise State. But Charles Sims caught 203 passes in 4 seasons at Houston and WVU. He even caught 70 passes as a freshman. You put Charles Sims in a better system and the Sky’s the Limit.
June 17th, 2017 at 11:43 am
lakeland
i am fine with koetter’s system. sims fragility is a bigger concern to me. bucs have far to many IF THEY STAY HEALTHY guys in key roles and that never works out see the last decade in the basement. The following bucs are good if healthy but all have lengthy histories. go back and look at the brooks and sapp led teams lots of durability there. that can not be said about the following:
gmc
ayers
mcdonald
spence (x2)
jaq smith
martin
sims
rodgers
stocker
etc….
and we have two draft picks coming off surgeries so again I ask how many if they stay healthy guys can a roster support and still contend and I mean really be a threat not that pretending crap dungy did.
June 17th, 2017 at 11:50 am
Every team has injuries, that’s why you should build depth at every position.
June 17th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
Leading the NFL in yards per touch in 2015 he’s not a one trick pony oh he blocks good to.
June 17th, 2017 at 1:10 pm
The only concern I have with chuck is staying healthy when healthy he’s sick!
June 17th, 2017 at 4:15 pm
With all the weapons, I don’t know how much they would need to utilize him. But when they do he should have some wide-open spaces
June 17th, 2017 at 5:19 pm
Sims will be 27 early season, a prime age for another breakout year. That’s what I think we will get.
June 17th, 2017 at 5:41 pm
K2 may be right. A switch to WR might be a good move.
June 17th, 2017 at 11:04 pm
Off topic, but related to the image in the article. Those orange socks are my favorite accessory for the new uniforms. Wish they’d wear them more. To my recollection, they’ve only worn them one time.