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How far the Bucs go will depend on Williams and Simms

Sporting News, The, Dec 2, 2005 by Brian Baldinger

After running for an unprecedented 434 yards in his first three NFL games, Bucs rookie Cadillac Williams rushed for only 82 in the next six games, two of which he missed with a foot injury. But when I studied those recent games on film last week, he didn't look like damaged goods. I figured that if the Bucs stuck with him, the magic would return.

Against Atlanta last Sunday, it did. Williams ran for 30 yards the first time he touched the ball and finished with 116 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

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He looked terrific--a lot like LaDainian Tomlinson, in fact. When Williams finds his path blocked, he can jump-stop on two feet, make a lateral cut through the air to another hole, then burst through. Few runners besides L.T. can make that jump-stop move. Williams has great quickness and acceleration, and once he's through the hole he's very physical. He can run over defenders and carry them on his back. And he can catch passes.

The man throwing those passes, Chris Simms, isn't as dazzling as Cadillac, but he is emerging as a capable quarterback. He has led Tampa Bay from behind to win in the fourth quarter in each of the past two weeks, first against Washington, then against Atlanta. Though he passed for only 118 yards Sunday, 35 came on the game-tying touchdown drive, when he was poised and confident.

Simms has made only six starts in 2 1/2 seasons, so he still has a long way to go. He threw a bad interception in the fourth quarter but shook it off and produced the game-tying drive on the next possession. He appears to have the ability to erase a had play. I like Simms' toughness and his touch on the deep ball, and I love his work ethic. Jon Gruden says Simms is the hardest-working quarterback he ever has had. He's a gym rat, one of those first-to-arrive, last-to-leave guys. He immerses himself in football all week.

Simms hasn't played enough to provide an accurate read on his potential, but I do know this: The Bucs will go as far as Simms and Williams take them. Tampa Bay is tied for first place in the tough NFC South, and if they are to win the division and go anywhere in the playoffs, it will be because Simms and Williams play well.

Brian Baldinger, an offensive lineman for 12 NFL seasons, can be heard on Sporting News Radio and seen on FOX Sports. Listen online at radio.sportingnews.com.

How far the Bucs go will depend on Williams and Simms

Sporting News, The, Dec 2, 2005 by Brian Baldinger

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