Bucs' GM calls Simms' comments a PR stunt

TAMPA — General manager Bruce Allen was critical Friday of quarterback Chris Simms' decision to go public with his deteriorating relationship with the Bucs.

"I think his advisers pulled a PR stunt," Allen said. "I don't think it portrays Chris well. That's not the Chris I've talked to on the phone. But I can't worry about that. We have too many players who are trying to help this team win and those are the players we're going to focus on."

Simms told the Times on Monday that he has asked to be traded or released because coach Jon Gruden has made it known he is not a part of the team's plans for 2008.

Asked about their relationship at a Greater Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce event on Friday, Gruden said: "I like Chris Simms. I don't necessarily agree with everything he said. But I'm going to coach the quarterbacks who are here. I am really excited about the guys who are here. I wish Chris and his situation well. But that's the last I'll address it. He made his statements and unfortunately that's all I can say. I like Jeff Garcia and I prefer talking about him, Brian Griese and Luke McCown at this point."

But there perhaps is some chance Simms, entering his sixth season out of Texas, may get his wish. Allen backed off a previous statement of his intent to take five quarterbacks to training camp, saying injuries impacting the roster at other positions will affect how many players are kept at certain positions. He said his original statement was made under the assumption the NFL would expand training camp rosters, which ultimately didn't happen.

The Bucs have five quarterbacks and Simms, 27, would likely be the first to go if necessary.

Simms was injured in a Sept. 24, 2006, game and had a splenectomy. He signed a two-year, $7-million contract in December 2006 but spent most of 2007 on injured reserve. He has not participated in the team's offseason workout program but said Monday he might attend mandatory minicamp next week.

TAMPA — GM Bruce Allen was critical Friday of quarterback Chris Simms for going public about his deteriorating relationship with the Bucs.

"I think his advisers pulled a PR stunt," Allen said. "I don't think it portrays Chris well. That's not the Chris I've talked to on the phone. But I can't worry about that. We have too many players who are trying to help this team win, and those are the players we're going to focus on."

Simms told the St. Petersburg Times on Monday that he has asked to be traded or released because coach Jon Gruden has made it known he is not part of the team's plans for this season.

Asked about their relationship during a Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce event Friday, Gruden said: "I like Chris Simms. I don't necessarily agree with everything he said. But I'm going to coach the quarterbacks who are here. I am really excited about the guys who are here. I wish Chris and his situation well. But that's the last I'll address it."

There perhaps is some chance that Simms, entering his sixth season, could get his wish.

Allen backed off a previous statement that he intended to take five quarterbacks to training camp, saying injuries affecting other positions will affect how many players are kept at certain ones. He said his original statement was made assuming the NFL would expand training camp rosters; that didn't happen.

The Bucs have five quarterbacks, and Simms, 27, would likely be the first to go if necessary.

Simms was injured in a game Sept. 24, 2006, and had a splenectomy. He signed a two-year, $7-million contract in December 2006 but spent most of 2007 on injured reserve.

He has not participated in the team's offseason workout program but said Monday he might attend mandatory minicamp next week.

Comments on this article

by Chris	Jun 17, 2008 5:06 PM
They should have traded Simms to Miami for a 2nd round pick, they would have gotten a better value han they will now.

by DRE	Jun 17, 2008 2:50 PM
FACE IT FOLKS SIMMS IS A GREAT QB AND DID THE BEST WITH HE HAD. GRUDEN DIDN'T WIN A SUPERBOWL YET THAT WAS TONY DUNGEY'S TEAM AS MUCH AS I WANT TO SEE MY TEAM WIN ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHP ITS NOT GONNA HAPPEN WITH ALLEN OR GRUDEN. LOVED THE DRAFT THOUGH

by harry2967	Jun 17, 2008 1:15 PM
bad mojo! at least trade the man to a winning team (partiots,cowboys or texans. i think chris deserves better than what he has been given! Bruce & Jon needs to man up and say that we really d***ed this guy over, we should at least honor his request!

by john	Jun 16, 2008 5:42 PM
if he has truly recovered from his VERY SEVERE injury, then he should take a drive down to Miami. I hear Parcells likes QBs named Simms. And the kid is tough. he played a whole half of football with a ruptured spleen.

by Jose	Jun 16, 2008 4:44 PM
I loved simms prformance some years back when Brian Griese went out with a knee injury. Simms proved to be a solid QB. Im not ready to give up on him, my opinion is he should be the no.2 qb behind garcia I'd rather gruden go and we get bill cower

by Toni	Jun 16, 2008 2:08 PM
Gruden won a super bowl and division championships, Simms has never won anything at any level,chokes when the pressures on, has ridden on his fathers reputation his whole life, but you are all right lets keep him and get rid of Gruden, makes sense.

by Sarah	Jun 16, 2008 11:53 AM
I agree with Chris: the ones to go should be Gruden & Allen.

by jeff	Jun 16, 2008 11:53 AM
chris sims needs to move on but its a shame thay cant work it out chris will move on and become a good starting quarterback in this leauge . john is playing around with tyhe qb positions way to much and it will be his undoing . allen needs to go ?

by Mike	Jun 16, 2008 11:53 AM
Gruden and Allan should do the right thing now and just release simms the relationship as usual with gruden is to far gone to salvage. Gruden an Allan are king of the double speak and some of the least trustworthy people I have ever seen

by Boomer	Jun 16, 2008 11:53 AM
Chris Simms never had the chance to prove himself. Just remember that Peyton wasn't great his first year. Simms never got the chance to work the system and prove his worth. Instead, lets invest in a bunch of old QB's and be sorry in a few years.

by bam	Jun 16, 2008 11:53 AM
Another example of the buc(k)s wonderful show of loyalty to their players. I completely understand that this is a business, but they repeatedly have treated players badly on their way out. Think about the last few years. Most left not good terms.

by Jeff	Jun 16, 2008 11:44 AM
i beleive we should trade or let him go.concetrate on what we have and move on. when it comes to big games to win its just not there as him for our quarterback.

by Sarah	Jun 16, 2008 11:40 AM
I agree with Chris: the ones to go should be Gruden & Allen.

by Fred	Jun 16, 2008 11:38 AM
I think he should try playing pro volleyball. Maybe not. I don't think he could get it over the net. All I will remeber about him is open receivers and batted balls.

by Janet	Jun 16, 2008 11:36 AM
Chris, please go to the Chiefs. You have to be better than Croyle.

by chris	Jun 15, 2008 8:34 AM
only people that should be leaving tampa is gruden and allen gruden needs the old timer qbs cause he don't know anything about bring up a young qb right anyone here in tampa watching the games could see him yelling and cursing at simms

by Jayson	Jun 15, 2008 8:32 AM
I agree they should send Simms on his way.He did a little something for the team when it was needed but nothing that hasn't been done by other 2nd string QB's ie.(Shaun King) Soo let's get rid of the bandaid...GO BUCS!!!

by Bobby	Jun 14, 2008 11:03 PM
The best thing Tampa could do is move Simms on. Reality is he was never that great and as usual the fans jumped way to soon on the Simms ban wagon. He showed a few flashes but thats what he is just a flash. Sooner hes gone the better the bucs become.

by Nick	Jun 14, 2008 9:47 PM
If Tamapa doesnt resign chris simms and put him into the 2nd or 3rd QB spot then they are going to mess up big time because Chris Simms can be a great starter after jeff retiers.

by Duane	Jun 14, 2008 9:46 PM
So, lets say for a second that Garcia goes down in preseason, perish the thought. Then Griese gets hurt in the third game. Whoops, now Gruden isn't such a bad guy and was shrewd for keeping Simms around. Grow up you goobers. You too, Dueming.

by Chlorine Tablet	Jun 14, 2008 9:46 PM
Wonder what ole' Phil thinks about his boys situation.

by CVal	Jun 14, 2008 9:46 PM
Gruden said, "I wish him and his situation well." What does that mean? Why wish a situation well? This is an obviously rehearsed mask over what has been decided by Allen and Gruden a long time ago. Why not just say what you mean? C.Y.A., baby.

by Charbel	Jun 14, 2008 9:46 PM
the bucs need to release Chris or at least attempt to trade him, let's face it, he's not going to be on the roster once the season starts, chris put his life on the line for this team, it would only be fair for him to release him early. GO BUCS