Chris Simms

For other people named Chris Simms, seeChris Simms (disambiguation).

Christopher David Simms(born August 29, 1980) is an American sports analyst and former professionalfootballplayer who was aquarterbackin theNational Football League(NFL). He was selected by theTampa Bay Buccaneersin the third round of the2003 NFL draftafter playingcollege footballfor theTexas Longhorns.

Chris Simms

Simms in 2002
No. 2, 8
Position:	Quarterback
Personal information
Born:	(1980-08-29)August 29, 1980 Franklin Lakes, New Jersey,U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:	Ramapo(Franklin Lakes)
College:	Texas(1999–2002)
NFL draft:	2003/ round: 3 / pick: 97
Career history
As a player:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers(2003–2007) Tennessee Titans(2008) Denver Broncos(2009) Tennessee Titans (2010)
As a coach:
New England Patriots(2012) Coaching assistant
Career NFL statistics
Pass attempts: 511 Pass completions: 297 Completion percentage: 58.1% TD–INT: 12–18 Passing yards: 3,117 Passer rating: 69.1 StatsatPro Football Reference

Simms also played for theDenver Broncosand theTennessee Titans.He is the son of formerNew York Giantsquarterback andSuper Bowl XXIMVPPhil Simmsand the older brother of quarterbackMatt Simms.

Early life

Simms grew up inFranklin Lakes, New Jerseyand attendedRamapo High School,where he was a standout in both football and basketball.In football, he was a two-time All-State honoree, and was named the 1998USA TodayNational Offensive Player of the Year.Simms graduated from Ramapo High School in 1999.After committing to theUniversity of Tennesseeduring his senior year, Simms decommitted and enrolled at theUniversity of Texasinstead.

College career

Simms played college football at theUniversity of Texas at Austinfrom 1999 to 2002.

He spent his freshman year as the backup toMajor Applewhite,and saw limited playing time until the end of the season. Going into the Texas A&M game (the so-called Bonfire Game as it followed thetragic death of 12 students during construction of A&M's annual bonfire), Texas was ranked #5, but right before that game, Applewhite got an intestinal virus that kept him up all night and required him to be put on an IV the next day. As a result, Simms got his first career start and had the Longhorns up 16–6 at halftime. After Simms struggled in the 2nd half, and with Texas still ahead, he was replaced by Applewhite in the 4th quarter, but Applewhite was not able to get Texas any points, they fell behind in the last 6 minutes and Applewhite fumbled on their last possession.Simms took over again during the Cotton Bowl, when Applewhite suffered a knee injury in the 4th quarter.

The next season Applewhite was again the starter, but Simms was more of a co-quarterback than a backup. After Applewhite played poorly in a loss to Stanford in the 2nd game, Simms was given his second career start in the following game against Houston. Simms struggled early and Applewhite got the majority of the snaps in what turned out to be a rout resulting in Applewhite regaining the role as starter. Simms would again get a chance to start when Applewhite suffered a season-ending knee injury on the last drive of the Texas Tech game.Simms played well, throwing for 240 yards or more in each game, including a 383-yard game against #21 Texas A&M, the most ever by a Texas QB against the Aggies.Texas went 2–1 with Simms as quarterback, with the only loss against #8 Oregon, a game Texas could have won – despite Simms setting the record for interceptions in a Holiday Bowl game with 4,but for three dropped touchdown passes on the last drive.Mack Brownwas impressed enough to name Simms the starter before the start of spring practice, a decision that proved controversial.

The Longhorns were ranked #5 to start the 2001 season and Simms' play through the first four games was good enough to keep them there. But in theRed River Showdown,Texas faced #3Oklahomaand Simms' four interceptions, including one in the Sooners' end zone and one that was returned for a touchdown, sealed Oklahoma's victory. Nonetheless, Simms recovered to lead Texas to six straight wins with five straight 200-yard passing games, including a dominating win over #14Coloradoand his second straight win over theAggies,a #3 ranking, and a rematch against #10 Colorado in theBig 12 Championship Gameon December 1. Because of an upset loss byFloridatoTennesseeearlier in the day, Texas went into the game knowing that a win would likely put them in the2002 BCS Championship Game.But Simms had a disastrous game. He was responsible for four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble) in the first half of play.In the 2nd quarter, after being booed by Texas fans, Simms injured his finger and Applewhite entered the game with Texas down, 29–10. Applewhite led Texas back to within 2 points, but eventually Texas would come up short losing 39–37 after anonside kickattempt failed.Applewhite's strong play, combined with Simms' injury, resulted in Simms sitting out the2001 Holiday Bowl.

Texas came into the 2002 season with high hopes and a #2 ranking. Simms was the starter all season, and he threw for a career-high 3,207 yards, 2nd to only Applewhite at the time. Texas won its first 5 games and then faced their first challenge against #3 Oklahoma. Texas led in that game until the 4th quarter, when a 3rd Simms interception set up Oklahoma's winning touchdown.Simms and Texas recovered to beat #17 Kansas State and #17 Iowa State in back to back weeks followed by wins over Nebraska and Baylor to climb back up to #3 in the rankings. But the following week, Texas Tech quarterbackKliff Kingsburythrew for 473 yards to upset the Longhorns 42–38, despite Simms playing one of his best games, and scuttle their national championship dreams.Simms capped his year with his 3rd straight victory over Texas A&M and his first bowl win over #25 LSU in theCotton Bowl.In the Cotton Bowl he threw for 269 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception – with more than half of those yards going to Cotton Bowl MVPRoy Williams.Simms was named the team's MVP for the season.

He finished with a career record of 26–6, second largest number of wins, at the time, toBobby Layne.He also played in the 2002 Senior Bowl in which he threw an interception that went for a Senior Bowl record 99-yard return.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Wonderlic
6 ft4+3⁄8in (1.94 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	32+3⁄4in (0.83 m)	10+1⁄2in (0.27 m)	4.86 s	1.69 s	2.84 s	4.18 s	7.37 s	31.0 in (0.79 m)	22
All values fromNFL Combine

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2004

Simms was selected with the last pick of the third round in 2003 by theTampa Bay Buccaneerswith the expectation that he would eventually be the successor toBrad Johnson.He was cast third on the Bucs depth chart behind Johnson and former Buccaneers starterShaun King.Simms sat his entire rookie year without playing a single snap in the regular season.

In 2004, Simms started the season as the 3rd string quarterback again, this time behind Johnson and formerDenver BroncosandMiami DolphinsstarterBrian Griese,but quickly advanced to backup quarterback after a poor preseason by Griese. Simms saw his first action on September 19, 2004, against theSeattle Seahawksafter a below-average performance byJohnson,coming into the game with 10:32 left in the 2nd quarter. Simms went 21–32 with 175 yards and an interception.Simms received his first start two games later against theNew Orleans Saintson October 10, 2004, after the Bucs started 0–4 and Johnson was benched for his poor performance. Simms went 5–8 for 75 yards but injured his shoulder early in the game and missed three weeks, allowingBrian Grieseto secure the position with 3 straight wins. Simms saw occasional action as the backup QB to Griese and started a meaningless final game against theArizona Cardinalswhere he threw for 224 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.

2005

In 2005, Simms was slated on the depth chart as the backup quarterback, behindGrieseand ahead of formerCleveland Brownsstarting quarterbackLuke McCown.Simms got his first snap of the season afterMiami DolphinslinebackerZach Thomaswas pushed onto Griese's leg with several minutes left in the game on October 16, 2005. Despite the injury, the Buccaneers prevailed 27–13 in the game in which Griese was lost for the season. Simms performed well, completing 6 of 10 passes for 69 yards.Simms got his first start of the season the following week against a weakSan Francisco 49erssquad. While Simms had decent numbers (21–34, 264 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions), his performance was considered poor, as there were many times when he underthrew his receivers, missed open receivers, or incorrectly read the defensive coverage. Simms followed up this performance with about the same performance (25–42, 259 yards, 1 touchdowns, 2 interceptions) against the division rivalCarolina Panthers,who were considered a much better team than San Francisco. After these two losses however, Simms performed better than expected and had a knack for late-game heroics. He led fourth-quarter charges against fellow division rivalAtlantatwice, as well as theWashington Redskins.The Redskin game was his best performance of the year as Simms threw for 3 scores as the Buccaneers won 36–35 in a remarkable game. Simms had a much more impressive performance in the rematch againstCarolinaon the road. The two losses in this stretch were against the defendingSuper BowlChampionNew England Patriots,and theChicago Bears,who were ranked #1 in the league in total defense, and in both of these games, Simms did not throw any interceptions, but was sacked a combined 11 times. He even led Tampa Bay to another fourth-quarter comeback against the Bears but a 29-yard field goal attempt floated wide right, giving the Bears a 13–10 victory.

Simms led the Buccaneers to their first playoff berth since their Super Bowl victory in the2002 season.In the rematch vs. the Redskins Simms led Tampa Bay back again from a 17–3 halftime deficit. With the score at 17–10 late in the fourth quarter, Simms hitEdell Shepherdon an apparent 35-yard touchdown strike. However, Shepherd failed to maintain possession as he hit the ground. Tampa Bay lost 17–10 in a game where Washington gained only 120 yards of offense, the lowest total for a playoff winner in NFL history.

Simms with the Titans in 2008

Life-threatening injury

Simms suffered a season-ending injury in Game 3 of the 2006 schedule. On Sunday, September 24, he was taken off the field after taking hard hits from theCarolina Panthersdefense. Simms returned to the game and even led a successful scoring drive, but remained in physical distress and was taken to a nearby hospital after the game. Tests revealed a rupturedspleen,and Simms immediately underwent emergency surgery. In the aftermath, Simms said he lost five pints of blood before the operation and conceded that another 45 minutes without treatment could have been fatal. Playing on a one-year, $2.1 million contract signed before the season, Simms was eligible for free agency for 2007.

2006–2008

On December 27, 2006, Simms announced that he had signed a two-year extension to remain with the Buccaneers with the expectation that he would start. However, due to complications from his recovery and the performance ofJeff Garciain mini-camp, Simms was expected to serve as a backup to Garcia.On October 9, Simms was placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season.The Bucs were expected to keep Simms on the roster for mini camp as their fifth quarterback.

Simms' relationship with head coachJon Grudenworsened significantly during this period. Simms attributed his lack of playing time to how Gruden treated him during his recovery from the spleen injury. He has even said that "The relationship between me and coach Gruden, it’s broken," Simms said. "And I don’t see any way it’s going to get better." Simms also said that he will never forgive Gruden, although he still respects the Buccaneers as an organization.

On August 30, 2008, theTampa Bay Buccaneersreleased Simms.He worked out with theBaltimore Ravensduring the preseason but was not signed.

Tennessee Titans (first stint)

Simms signed with theTennessee Titanson September 9, 2008, after starterVince Youngwas sidelined with a sprained MCL.In Young's absence, Simms served as the backup quarterback behindKerry Collinsuntil October 3, when Simms was released to make room forpunterJosh Miller.Simms was re-signed the following week on October 6.

Denver Broncos

Simms with the Broncos in 2009

On March 4, 2009, Simms signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Denver Broncos. The deal included a $1.5 million signing bonus and Simms could have earned an additional $3 million through incentives. He was the backup quarterback toKyle Orton.However, he took over in the second half of a game against theWashington Redskinsafter Orton left with asprained ankle,and eventually gave up the lead to the Redskins while going 3–13 passing for 13 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. He started against theSan Diego Chargerson November 22, 2009, but was quickly replaced by Orton in the second quarter after going a disappointing 2 for 4 for only 10 yards. He was released on March 15, 2010, after the Broncos traded forBrady Quinn.

Tennessee Titans (second stint)

On April 12, 2010, Simms was re-signed by the Titans.

On September 4, 2010, Simms was cut from the Titans roster. On November 22, 2010, he was re-signed to be a backup quarterback behindRusty Smith,after the season-ending injury toVince Young.He was not brought back for the 2011 season, nor was he picked up by another team.

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games			Passing								Rushing
		GP	GS	Record	Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	Avg	TD	Int	Rtg	Att	Yds	Avg	TD
2003	TB	0	0	—	DNP
2004	TB	5	2	1–1	42	73	57.5	467	6.4	1	3	64.1	7	14	2.0	0
2005	TB	11	10	6–4	191	313	61.0	2,035	6.5	10	7	81.4	19	31	1.6	0
2006	TB	3	3	0–3	58	106	54.7	585	5.5	1	7	46.3	4	7	1.8	1
2007	TB	0	0	—	DNP
2008	TEN	1	0	0–0	1	2	50.0	7	3.5	0	0	58.3	0	0	0.0	0
2009	DEN	3	1	0–1	5	17	29.4	23	1.4	0	1	15.1	0	0	0.0	0
Career		23	16	7–9	297	511	58.1	3,117	6.1	12	18	69.1	30	52	1.7	1

Postseason

Year	Team	Games			Passing								Rushing
		GP	GS	Record	Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	Avg	TD	Int	Rtg	Att	Yds	Avg	TD
2005	TB	1	1	0–1	25	38	65.8	198	6.1	0	2	56.7	3	11	3.7	1
Career		1	1	0–1	25	38	65.8	198	6.1	0	2	56.7	3	11	3.7	1

Coaching career

Simms was hired as a coaching assistant by theNew England Patriotson March 26, 2012.He had two main roles. One was in offensive quality control which involved breaking down film for the offense. He also had responsibilities in putting together the scouting report.

Broadcasting career

On July 22, 2013, Chris Simms was included inFox Sports' commentator lineup for the 2013 college football season. He made his debut ascolor commentatorwhenWest Virginia Universityplayed theCollege of William & Maryon August 31, 2013.

Chris Simms joinedBleacher Reportin February 2014 as an NFL analyst.

From 2014 to 2016, Simms was as a color commentator for theNFL on CBS,joining his father as part of the CBS broadcasting team.He left after the 2016 season to join his father's old employer,NBC Sports,where he is a studio analyst forNotre Dame footballand a personality onNBC Sports Radio.In March 2019, Simms leftBleacher Reportto become a full-time employee of NBC working as an analyst forFootball Night In AmericaandNotre Dame football,as well as co-host ofProFootballTalkLive.In 2021, he began to co-hostPeacock'sSunday Night Football Final.

Personal life

Simms married Danielle Marie Puleo in August 2004, whom he first met in high school.Together, they have two children: Charlotte, born in 2006, and Philip, born in 2010.

Simms was arrested in July 2010 and charged with driving while intoxicated, but was acquitted at trial in May 2011.

External links

• Media related toChris Simmsat Wikimedia Commons