Chris Simms: No Playoffs For Bucs
September 9th, 2020
Can’t buy the hype — yet.
You can hear it in his voice, former Bucs quarterback Chris Simms. And it pains him.
He led the Bucs to the 2005 postseason and Simms is making his league predictions for the season on his podcast, “Unbuttoned.” And he really, really, really wants to pick the Bucs to make the playoffs.
But he can’t do it.
Why?
In short, Simms said there are just too many questions on offense and defense for him to blindly follow his heart. He doesn’t think the Bucs will be a playoff team, but he is not ruling it out.
Simms explained.
“I am picking them not to make the playoffs,” Simms said of the Bucs. “It was not easy, man. It really wasn’t. I’ve never had such a hard time doing this f’ing exercise in my life. Without preseason, seeing those things. You know, a different year and being able to talk to coaches… “
Simms basically believes there are too many (good) parts on offense thrown together and expected to mold together in just a few short weeks for him to be comfortable picking the Bucs to play meaningful games in January.
If this was a normal offseason, and park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Tom Brady had many months to work with his new toys, Simms would feel much better picking the Bucs to play in January.
But this isn’t a normal offseason.
“Again, it goes back to what I had told you,” Simms said to co-host Ahmed Fareed. “Unproven commodities. Yeah, it’s a whole lot of new pieces all thrown together at once. I just don’t know.
“The offensive line, I will say I have question marks there. We’ll see how that goes. Do I have question marks about Brady and how dominant he should be? I think Brady will have a good year. Do I think that Brady will be so dominant that the Bucs will win the [NFC] South? That they will be this slam dunk playoff football team? No, I have to kind of see it first. I do. He’s in a new system. It’s a new world all together. …
“And their young secondary scares me. It scares me. Yeah, there is some talent. Todd Bowles’ scheme is a little scary too. All of that together and the fact it’s Covid-19 and they never played together and all of a sudden it’s like, ‘Oh hey, we have to go to New Orleans and play.'”
Simms said he doesn’t outright dismiss the possibility the Bucs could make the playoffs.
“What I expect from them is a slow start and they finally get their sh!t together and we are going to go, ‘Whoa! Watch out.’ But it might be a little too late.”
That may have changed last night. One game Simms cited for being an uphill climb was against the Broncos, because he thought the pass rush of the Broncos in Week 3 would give the Bucs and Brady fits.
A lot changed since Simms cut that podcast.
Joe agrees with Simms that it may take time for the offense to hit overdrive. Remember when Chucky came in and retooled the offense and added a bunch of new pieces? It took a while for that offense to get into gear but when it did, whoa!
However, Bucco Bruce Arians is only teaching a new offense to Brady and foot-rubbing Rob Gronkowski. So it’s not like Chucky teaching a new playbook to everyone on offense. So the core of the Bucs’ offense should still be on the right page.
Joe is sure as hell glad the Bucs got Leonard Fournette. If the passing game is sputtering, the Bucs can always turn to a good running back to help them grind out a win.
See why Joe was bellyaching so much for a running back?
Can the Bucs defense sort of carry them until the offense has time to work out all the bugs? As the noted 20th-century philosopher Moe Howard once said, “We shall see.”
September 9th, 2020 at 4:37 am
When Chris Simms says it, it sounds like a reasonable take.
When Clean House says it, the accusations of
being a troll and a Saints flan run amuck.
6-10
September 9th, 2020 at 5:08 am
I was reading that Aqib Talib is a free agent. I think we need a vet in the secondary.
I don’t know if he’s healthy or in shape at all, but he’s 34 and was really really good.
He understands the position very well.
Aqib Talib, Earl Thomas, and Clay Matthews would go well with this current veteran fantasy football theme.
Let’s make it even more entertaining!!
September 9th, 2020 at 5:09 am
Let’s call it the no Riskit No Biscuit Last Hoorah tour!
September 9th, 2020 at 6:15 am
Bucs had a great offense last year with a pick six quarterback who loved to give more balls away than tricker treat candy. With an improved QB, RT, TE and RB position, not sure how Simms came to his conclusion.
As for Simms being worried about a young defensive backfield who were pretty good late last season, why should you be more worried about having the same rookies in year 2? Most rookies make a big jump from year 1 to year 2. The safety unit was our biggest weakness on defense and I think we have improved here. Simms sounds a little bitter to me.
September 9th, 2020 at 6:23 am
I truly believe all the idiotic things Chris Simms says throughout the years ……..is that he does it on purpose to attract more attention cause he sucks as a sports journalist.
September 9th, 2020 at 6:25 am
He does not think the Bucs make the playoffs but he is not ruling it out? Lmao, I see what he is doing. He needs to make up his mind and leave the not ruling it out off of his statement. Either believe or don’t, none of this double minded nonsense.
September 9th, 2020 at 6:37 am
I’m sick and tired of the pre-season speculation. Let’s just get to New Orleans on the 13th, then go from there!
September 9th, 2020 at 6:54 am
Simms makes some good Captain Obvious points, but there are only a few teams in the NFL (one of them is up Sunday for the Bucs) that are sitting well compared to other teams without having pre-season–as they made few changes. This would include NO, BAL, KC, SF, GB, good teams that should still fare well. But there are still 7 more teams to make the playoffs that suffer lack of preseson also. Some teams that weren’t great before likely went sideways since last year due to coaching/players changes, including ATL, NYJ, NYG, DAL, DEN, LAR, PHI. Some probably got a little worse for the time being (CLE, IND, CAR, ATL, NE, CIN).
I like the Bucs chances a lot more than Simms does.
September 9th, 2020 at 6:55 am
I think Sims has a reasonable take. Don’t get me wrong, I am completely fired up and on the hype train, but Sims is right, they have never even played a game together yet. Its all potential on paper until they prove it. Brady is 43 and Gronk hasn’t played in a year. Not worried about Brady’s arm Sept-Nov, its Dec that could be an issue after a few months of hard work. Having said that Payton Manning won a Super Bowl with a great mind and a noodle arm by SB time. Fingers crossed all the changes and variables work in the Bucs favor but the playoffs and super bowl are very hard to come by and we have to actually beat great teams to get there. I was recently going through some old family pictures and found one of me as a little kid in a new Bucs shirt vintage 1976-77. Been around these Bucs long enough not to know that winning the off season doesn’t mean a thing. You have to have great players but you also need the injury gods on your side, low penalties and getting some calls by the officials going your way doesn’t hurt either. Getting to the SB is rare (except for the patriots) and a lot of things have to go your way. Not knowing if the Bucs are going to make the playoffs is the ONLY reasonable take. You have to play the games first.
September 9th, 2020 at 6:55 am
People listen to this arse clown why? Because of all the Super Bowl wins he has? Oh wait that would be NONE!! Un button your top collar Chris your not getting enough oxygen to your brain!
September 9th, 2020 at 6:57 am
Simms can shove it up his spleen 😂😎
September 9th, 2020 at 7:07 am
So instead of blindly embracing the hype, Simms want to see some proof on the field first? Hmmmm…
September 9th, 2020 at 7:14 am
Well, we didnt lose any of our good players from last year, and made improvements at key starting positions. QB, right tackle, safety, and we have better running back depth.
September 9th, 2020 at 7:15 am
*also improved at TE
September 9th, 2020 at 7:25 am
The gist of his take appears to be about the team needing extra time to gel due to lack of all the training camps, etc. I can deal with that because it will happen and that doesn’t mean they have to lose before it happens. Let the other teams think the Bucs don’t need to be taken seriously.
September 9th, 2020 at 7:37 am
We do need to prove it….but I don’t put as much emphasis on the prep time because of Brady’s vast experience….my thoughts are that he has already gelled with his new team.
And, I am quite convinced that our defense will be better than last year. One more year’s experience with that young secondary is why, coupled with the returning #1 run-stopping front 7.
September 9th, 2020 at 7:38 am
When will we stop listening to what CHRIS SIMMS has to say like cmon CHRIS SIMMS really we talking about CHRIS SIMMS mr TRASH one of the worst Qbs ever CHRIS SIMMS the one the Buccs waisted a draft pick on, that CHRIS SIMMS. THE left handed trash bandit with the bent up spleen CHRIS SIMMS the one that when healthy you couldnt tell.if he was hurt healthy or just TRASH CHRIS SIMMS. The WHITE JAMEIS WINSTON nah nah nah THE WHITE JOSH FREEMAN nah nah nah THE WHITE JEMARCUS RUSSELL yea there we go lol. CHRIS “bumm” SIMMS KNOWS nothing he hated this franchise ever since we said bye so again to CHRIS SIMMS …….BYE
September 9th, 2020 at 7:39 am
Chris Simms is a well-known Tom Brady hater, and a turd. I unclog my nose on his opinion.
September 9th, 2020 at 7:46 am
Who cares what Chris Simms thinks. Let the games begin and settle it on the field. GO BUCS!
September 9th, 2020 at 7:55 am
“Clean house “just changed his name to “clean jameis jock”
Simms is wrong all the time. What are you talking about. His point is valid cause in line with yours 😂
Sucks you are rooting for brady to fail just like a few others. And it sucks you are given time on this site. It really is. Jameis is gone and never coming back.
Will bucs likely start slow ? Of course they will cause covid and no preseason and no practices with other teams. When you replace the qb you need game reps. Brady will be just fine. He doesnt mind a 4 yard pass if moving chains unlike jameis who just preferred to give it to the other team.
Go noles? I mean go jameis ? Actually what do you trolls say now? Go saints?
September 9th, 2020 at 7:57 am
Simms has a point. I hope he is wrong. Theres a chance the 2002 bucs don’t make the playoffs with no spring football and no preseason.
September 9th, 2020 at 7:59 am
Spleen jokes not funny Joe?😁
My bad.
September 9th, 2020 at 8:28 am
Cautiously optimistic, but Simms makes a good point. Our defensive backfield has been shredded by NO in the past, and I think this is a weak link, especially with a rookie starting safety that has never played one game in the nfl. Same Issue for our Starting Rookie RT. Sunday will be very interesting. I just think it’s going to take three or four games for everyone to get on the same page. Hope I’m wrong……
September 9th, 2020 at 8:28 am
Christ Simms is a moron
September 9th, 2020 at 8:45 am
9-6
If Jason had nailed more pics, we would be unstoppable
He just misses way to many pics for us to be elite.
What would this team look like with just draft pics…
5-11
September 9th, 2020 at 8:52 am
Have to agree with the take he is a moron. Can’t have it both ways when making a prediction, can’t change your mind after you see them play. It’s not a bunch of pieces thrown together most of them were already here idiot. 5 new pieces doesn’t make them unknown. He’s basically saying Winston can pick up an offense faster than Brady. Every quarterback has to get used to throwing to new receivers that’s not a thing that’s hard to figure out even for someone as inaccurate as Winston.
September 9th, 2020 at 8:55 am
every team is in the same position….no offseason and they added pieces…
saints added pieces to their offense and defense…they need time to gel…
panthers added pieces and have a new coach….they need time to gel…
falcons added pieces…they need time to gel….
i can see us starting out 2-2 and then running off 9or10 straight wins…
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 9th, 2020 at 8:57 am
It wouldnt hurt to get another corner, I know a few have been let go recently.
September 9th, 2020 at 9:00 am
I get it…so a team can’t win it all with a new coach, a new system, and a boatload of new players. And that is why we didn’t have a winning season during the Superbowl 37 year. And even with a great aging QB like GB had last year, a team doesn’t stand a chance to have a winning record with a new Coaching staff and new system. The Packers finished in the middle of the pack in the NFC North last year accordingly. Wow Chris. No wonder you were a classic underachiever.
September 9th, 2020 at 9:02 am
16 games, Johnny…Not 15…unless you think we will lose a game this season.
September 9th, 2020 at 9:05 am
I think you meant 10-6. And it could be that…at worst I think. I think between 10 and 12 wins.
September 9th, 2020 at 9:15 am
The bucs need to get off to a fast start. The last eight games you have the Saints, Rams, Chiefs, Vikings, and Atlanta twice. Then you have a couple of gimmes Panthers and the hapless Lions.
September 9th, 2020 at 9:15 am
Not playing 4 meaningless preseason games will tank this season? Come on now! That’s ludicrous. Same could be said about the entire league.
He has question marks on the o line? There is 1 new piece to that line and he should be an upgrade over the last guy.
He’s scared of the secondary? Ok, I can believe that. They are still unproven but they did start to look better towards the end of last year. This is also their second year in this system and now have 1-2 years of nfl experience. The run front 7 hasn’t changed so we should expect the same or very similar from them.
I just don’t get his take. I would be shocked if the Bucs get smoked by the saints on Sunday. I expect them to go into Nola and beat the saints. If they lose a close one, I am again ok with it as long as it wasn’t sloppy football.
Early morning breakfast, bud lights and bacon, come get yo-self sum, son!!!
September 9th, 2020 at 9:24 am
I don’t know why people think the Bucs oline is sh!t. Especially if Wirfs does well. Top tier passing yards, #5 defense at the end, and the #11 best run stopping defense ever??? This happened with BA and Bowels mostly new coaching staff year one. Would’ve been 8-8 but Jameis threw the pick-6 in. Week 17 OT.
I could be realistic to not making playoffs if it was just Brady and Gronk. The bandwagonders S Gronk’s D with Brady all day but I have no clue what he’ll look like. But they have such a deep, talented run corp. Before we added Fournette. Best and most receivers corp in the league. And a top 10 defense.
We’ll see.. Bucs, beer, and queso on Sunday that’s for damn sure.
September 9th, 2020 at 9:49 am
We do know Florio at PFT doesn’t agree with his colleague, Simms. The Bucs are Power Ranked for Week 1 at #6. Saints are #5. Simms would seem to have the Bucs at 13 or worse with a chance to climb to 12 or better.
September 9th, 2020 at 9:54 am
My wife had a similar question for me. She asked if I was able to handle the crown and cokes for week 1 when I didn’t have preseason games to practice. I told her I was ready to go and she should see no drop off
September 9th, 2020 at 10:40 am
951
A true professional.👍
September 9th, 2020 at 10:50 am
LOL @ BucsFan951
I’m just glad he was taking a drink in that photo so we didn’t have to see that pretty mouth of his.
I really think he is just getting a head start on CHOKING!!!
September 9th, 2020 at 10:58 am
951
🤣🤣🤣
GO BUCS!!!!
September 9th, 2020 at 11:08 am
give the man some spleen fried rice and a large wonton soup to go
September 9th, 2020 at 11:10 am
sorry chris just kidding around…
but the bucs will be 11-5
September 9th, 2020 at 12:46 pm
Was the Chucky offense really that flyy, mmmm, they came together after a few series in the SB, but it was the defense that gave the offense opportunity, it took the Joe Jerivicious play against the Eagles. So when did the offense click, maybe one game against the 49ers in playoffs
September 9th, 2020 at 1:01 pm
So we should listen to a horrible quarterback’s opinion?
September 9th, 2020 at 1:38 pm
Clean House- To your first post, he’s a former NFL player and you are “Clean House”! That’s why! LOL
September 9th, 2020 at 2:17 pm
951- Cheers brother! Keep puttin’ in the hard work!
September 9th, 2020 at 5:36 pm
Simms need to learn how to play before he talks
September 9th, 2020 at 7:21 pm
Man I love sports fans. Disagree with Chris Simms GUESS…and that’s all ANY of us or any other pundits are doing…guessing…especially this year with the Covid…and so we trash him as a bad QB. He gave his spleen to the game and was never the same.
Regardless his career W/L % is TEN % points better than JW. If Simms sucked what do we say about JW?
I say neither of them sucked but neither got the job done…for two different reasons,
September 9th, 2020 at 7:50 pm
Chris Simms dont you go wish that evil turd$#!+ ideas on US! You spleen less wonder dont make me me put a curse on your kidneys B!+@#…We know you want go down ….mo ..as the last QB to lead the Bucs to the playoffs… ban All Simms from Tampa Bay Area