Tampabay.com
SEPTEMBER 13, 2006

Simms: "I was the reason we lost."

Chris Simms accepted the blame for the Bucs' 27-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. All of it.

"I just didn't play good all around and didn't help out the offensive line at all. I made some stupid decisions in the passing game,'' Simms said Wednesday. "I was the reason we lost. Period."

Simms threw three interceptions, including one that was returned 60 yards for a touchdown and had three passes batted down at the line of scrimmage.

Speaking for the first time since the numbing defeat, Simms took responsibility for the deflected passes.

"I’ve just got to find ways to throw it around guys and maybe throw it a little quicker here and there," Simms said. "Just things like that where I’ve got to be more aware when I’m out there on the field to get it around some of these big defensive linemen."

Simms also fell on the sword for the Bucs’ failure to recognize some of the Ravens’ defensive fronts, deflecting some of the criticism from center John Wade. On at least one occasion, the Ravens overloaded the left side of the line of scrimmage and Simms was sacked.

"I messed up simple, day one practice back in OTA, April stuff that I shouldn’t have messed up on," Simms said. "You’ve just got to imagine being in John Wade’s shoes. He’s down in a squatting position with a 330-pound guy right on his nose and he’s trying to read blitzes and which way they’re coming from and I have a better perspective pretty much all the time."

Simms said he his experience bouncing back from poor outings last season against the 49ers and Panthers will help him Sunday at Atlanta.

"I had enough times last year where I didn’t play so well the week before and came back played pretty good the next week,'' Simms said. "It’s all about putting it in perspective. It’s one loss. It’s not the end of the world. It hurt for two days, really. But at the end of the week, I’ve got to be ready to play the Falcons.''

 

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