As a Texas Longhorns fan, let me offer my sincerest condolences to Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans everywhere for having to endure Chris Simms as your starting quarterback.
Simms came into Texas to be the program's savior, its knight in shining armor. With his wonderful pedigree (being the son of Super Bowl champion quarterback Phil Simms), he was a can't-miss prospect.
Instead, he missed badly. He choked in big games, was routinely booed and was consistently outplayed by Major Applewhite, a quarterback with much less physical talent but much more heart and guts.
The Simms era at Texas ended, not a moment too soon, and yet I knew with his last name and his great physical tools, some NFL team would fall into his trap.
Sure enough, Jon Gruden and Tampa Bay did, and when Brian Griese went down for the season, Simms moved into the starting role. Come to find out, Simms still can't beat a college team, as the 5-1 Bucs lost to the pitiful San Francisco 49ers last week.
Simms is football's best example that you can't be great on athletic talent alone. You have to have some moxie. Simms lacks that quality. If you want a quarterback that lights it up in practice, he's your man.
Thankfully, Texas now has Vince Young, who brings both a great physical talent and an inner drive to never lose. Bucs fans better hope Coach Chucky gives the job to Tim Rattay soon, before their playoff spot disappears.
