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Simms eager to get started in playoffs
By FRED GOODALL, AP Sports Writer
January 4, 2006

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Chris Simms sounded as relaxed as he looked.

Tampa Bay's young quarterback will make his first NFL playoff start when the Buccaneers host the Washington Redskins on Saturday. The son of former New York Giants star Phil Simms is determined to not get caught up in the hype.

"I think everybody is going to be a little more attentive this week, as far as concentration. Everybody knows what is on the line," Simms said.

"For the most part, we are going to approach it just like any other game. We all know it's the playoffs, and I'm sure as it gets closer and closer we will get more and more excited. But we're ready to go."

The Bucs (11-5) are making their first postseason appearance since winning the Super Bowl three seasons ago. Simms took over for the injured Brian Griese during a Week 6 victory over Miami, then led the Bucs to a 6-4 record in 10 starts the rest of the way.

Saturday's first-round NFC game is a rematch of a Nov. 13 last-minute thriller the Bucs won 36-35 on Mike Alstott's two-point conversion run.

What some people don't remember is that Simms set up the dramatic finish by throwing a 30-yard touchdown pass to Edell Shepherd, capping a clutch five-play, 54-yard drive in the final two minutes.

The victory followed losses in Simms' first two starts, and was a huge step forward for the third-year pro.

"First of all, it gave me some confidence that, in a tight ballgame, I, personally, can get it done. But most importantly it gave our team, and our offense, a lot of confidence," Simms said.

"We were down by seven, with 1:35 left, and we came back and won the game. That proved to our offense, and hopefully proved to our defense as well, that even if it is having a little bit of an off day, we can come through for them."

The following week, Simms led another fourth-quarter rally to beat Atlanta in the final minute.

"If you look at our team, we have been pretty consistent all year long, for the most part. Probably our most inconsistent time was when I took over and we lost two games in a row," he said. "I definitely take some of the blame because I was a young quarterback who did some stupid things."

He also is a big reason why the Bucs rebounded from subpar performances against San Francisco and Carolina to win six of eight down the stretch to claim their first NFC South title and a No. 3 playoff seed.

After throwing four interceptions, losing two fumbles and being sacked 11 times in the two losses, Simms turned the ball over twice in the next six games. During one stretch, he threw 127 consecutive passes without an interception.

"He's been unbelievable in terms of his mission, his vision of getting better and learning this system," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "He's a guy who not only has talent, he has tremendous self-motivation and drive."

Gruden also made some adjustments to the offense to help Simms, utilizing more two- and three-tight end sets in an effort to give the 25-year-old quarterback better pass protection. The moves have also been good for the running game, spearheaded by rookie Carnell "Cadillac" Williams.

"He doesn't really scale things back. But as far as my job goes, it does make my life easier," Simms said. "When you're in those sets, most of the time, it's 'Run left, Cadillac. Run right, Cadillac."'

Simms talks to his father on a regular basis, but doesn't get much football advice from the Super Bowl-winning quarterback, who prefers to let Gruden and the rest of the Bucs staff provide guidance.

This week, Simms and other young players making their playoff debuts will lean on veterans such as Derrick Brooks and Mike Alstott to set the tone.

"The most important thing, like I said, let's not make too big of a deal of it," Simms said. "Let's just play football. This is just Week 18 in our minds. We are just going to try and keep going and try to win each game."

Updated on Wednesday, Jan 4, 2006 2:33 am EST

gibbsfan wrote:we are going to be different this time around.
make simms as uncomfortable as possible.
come hard for 4 quarters kinda like the boyz game.


make it miserable for young man simms.

PulpExposure wrote:Chris Simms should be relaxed. He has a well documented history of success in big games....

skinsRin wrote:

PulpExposure wrote:Chris Simms should be relaxed. He has a well documented history of success in big games....

yes he does

"The most important thing, like I said, let's not make too big of a deal of it," Simms said. "Let's just play football. This is just Week 18 in our minds."