Is Chris Simms better than Matt Cassel?

by Darin H on Mar 10, 2009 10:48 PM MDT Comment 13 comments

With all the drama that has surrounded last year's starting QB, something occurred to me. Since the deal for Cassel fell through, the Broncos brought Chris Simms to backup Jay Cutler at a pretty hefty salary for a clipboard carrier (and worth it as he's an upgrade over Ramsey). Here's what I know about Chris Simms - he played for about a year and lost a spleen during a game. I couldn't speak intelligently about any aspect of his mechanics, arm, or mental capacity to run a playbook. Maybe someone here can.

Did he benefit from the Tampa D (of course), to what extent? Was he coachable (Gruden, the QB Collector...)?

I don't think too highly of Matt Cassel as a guy who can take a team on his back and lead them to wins. I know he is smart enough to run McDaniels' offense, take care of the ball, and get better (much better) as the season progressed. I think Matt Cassel would have done well in Orange and Blue, he's going to struggle in KC for a whole lot of money.I think what McDaniels is trying to do in Denver is build a situation where the QB doesn't have to go out every week and try to take the team on his back like Cutler was forced to do much of the last 2 years. That may mean taking a step back at the QB position and gaining in a lot of other areas.

If Jay Cutler or Bus Cook want Jay playing elsewhere in 2009 and beyond, I'm fine with that, he has handled the situation poorly in my opinion. I'd prefer him to stay, all else being equal though.

So here's my thought - if Jay wants out and the Broncos decide to move him, can the team be better off with Simms and several draft picks? For instance, would the Broncos deal Jay to the Lions for their #20 and 2nd and 3rd round draft picks (no one wants the #1 overall pick)?

I'd have to think long and hard about that trade. If you think Simms could run the offense, you jump at that, we'd own 3 of the top 33 picks, and could probably trade down from either the 12 or the 20 spot for more 2-3 round picks, or move them to stock up for next year.

I have to believe that the Broncos Braintrust have thought about life without Cutler, they'd be stupid not to at this point. Hopefully someone can enlighten me further on the capabilities of our backup QB. Does anyone else think that Simms+#20+#33+3rd (either #65 or #82) round would make the Broncos a better team overall than staying with Cutler?

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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my first thought

The day I saw that the Broncos signed Simms, I told one of my coworkers that he was the Broncos new QB. As good as Cutler’s talents are, and I am sick and tired of hearing how talented he is and that is why we should side with him, I don’t think he is the leader that this team needs. Having worked at a High School for the past 6 years, I really feel that Cutler is stuck in the mindset of the popular and insecure. He leads, but he makes sure everyone knows he is the leader and he can’t stand the thought that someone might challenge him. The more I read, the more I want to trade Chazz. I appreciate players that have played for the Broncos, but I LOVE the Broncos. I would rather win a super bowl with Simms managing a game, than watch a talented player like Cutler and maybe win a Super Bowl. (not that Simms is going to win a super bowl for the Broncos).

by D-fence on Mar 11, 2009 12:06 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Is Simms better than Cassel?

Are we talking pre- or post- spleen?

I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent. People know this, and steer clear of me at parties. Often, as a sign of their great respect, they don't even invite me. -Dave Barry

by PosterNutbag on Mar 11, 2009 12:30 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Is Simms better than anyone?

have you all seen this guy play, pre-spleen? he’ll bring with him the gift of having you wonder what was wrong with patrick ramsey. seriously folks, i’m not exaggerating (well, maybe a litte). simms is not the answer to any question other than “who is the son of phil simms?”

by oxmouth on Mar 11, 2009 12:54 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Ummm...I want the first overall pick!!

The only sure fire impact player of this year’s draft is Mr. Curry. Talk about a guy we could build a 3-4 defense around.

Think about it – we could have the next Derrick Thomas on defense and the next Matt Cassel on offense (if Cutler is gone and McDaniels pulls Simms out of a magic hat ;-)

Either way… I hope Cutler stays put and gets his long term deal.

By the way – the son of Phil Simms happens to have some skills – as long as the spleen is not some sort of chronic problem. Forget the fact he decommitted from Tennesee – Chris Simms happened to be “the Guy” at Texas that helped turn their program around. He was Mack Brown’s “Golden Boy” . I’m confident he could fill the “system quarterback” role if called upon.

by Blackshirt4Broncos on Mar 11, 2009 2:59 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I have seen and have no problem

I live in the Tampa area and have watched all of Simms games. Just before the spleen incident Simms was starting to grasp Grudens ridiculous playbook and at times looked impressive and the future of the Buccaneers. Under Gruden you weren’t allowed to be hurt or you would be in his doghouse, so it’s understandable that Simms after nearly dying wasn’t happy with Gruden for questioning his toughness for not being able to play when the injury was supposed to be healed. I digress, with better coaching and an easier playbook I think Chris would do well and for 6 mill the coaching staff must also. Hopefully he’ll just be holding the clipboard and filling in for Jay if he gets hurt or mop up duty before the playoffs.

The only difference between genius and insanity is perception

by Markus2112 on Mar 11, 2009 5:15 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree

Haven’t seen Simms play, but Gruden is a QB killer. No way should playing for him impact anyone’s opinion of a QB.

aka MN Bronco

by pubkeeper on Mar 11, 2009 8:05 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

no

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on to them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free". - Ronald Wilson Reagan

by orangeblood on Mar 11, 2009 5:44 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Is Simms better than Cassel

oh oh oh I got this one chief…YES! this took me all of five seconds to figure out. As to the post Simm’s salary isn’t exactly hefty. We signed Ramsey to a 4 year 6 million contract i think and Simm’s is about the same tax bracket. Plus as we have seen before you can never judge how bad you need a back up until he blows a win over Detroit!

"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 11, 2009 10:55 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs