Broncos officially welcome RB J.J. Arrington & QB Chris Simms

by John Bena on Mar 5, 2009 7:19 PM MST in Denver Broncos Roster Moves

The Denver Broncos on Thursday signed unrestricted free-agent running back J.J. Arrington and unrestricted free-agent quarterback Chris Simms, it was announced. As per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Arrington (5-foot-9, 212 pounds) is a fifth-year running back who spent his first four NFL seasons with Arizona, which selected him in the second round (44th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft from the University of California. He has played 58 career regular-season games (8 starts), totaling 183 rushes for 654 yards (3.6 avg.) with three touchdowns along with 91 receptions for 693 yards (7.6 avg.) with two scores. Arrington owns 114 career kickoff returns for 2,694 yards (23.6 avg.) with two touchdowns.

In 2008, Arrington saw time in 11 regular-season games (3 starts) and all four postseason contests for the Cardinals, who won the NFC West title and advanced to Super Bowl XLIII. He rushed for 187 yards on 31 carries (6.0 avg.) with one touchdown and tied a career high with 29 receptions for 255 yards (8.8 avg.) with one score during the regular season. He also returned 36 kickoffs for 923 yards (25.6 avg.) with a 93-yard touchdown return.

During his rookie campaign with Arizona in 2005, Arrington rushed for a career-high 370 yards on 112 carries (3.3 avg.) with two touchdowns and had 25 receptions for 139 yards (5.6 avg.). He returned 67 kickoffs for 1,520 yards (22.7 avg.) with a 99-yard touchdown return for the Cardinals in 2006.

Arrington played two seasons at California after beginning his collegiate career at College of the Canyons in Valencia, Calif. He received consensus All-America honors as a senior at Cal, rushing for at least 100 yards in every game en route to finishing the year as the nation's leader in rushing yards (2,018) and yards per carry (7.0 avg., 289 rushes).

A two-way player at Northern Nash High School in Rocky Mount, N.C., Arrington was born on Jan. 23, 1983.

Simms (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) is a seventh-year quarterback who spent his first six NFL seasons with Tennessee (2008) and Tampa Bay (2003-07). He entered the NFL with the Buccaneers in 2003 as a third-round draft choice (97th overall) from the University of Texas.

In 20 career regular-season games (15 starts), Simms has completed 292-of-494 (59.1%) passes for 3,094 yards with 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions for a 71.2 passer rating. He also has posted 30 career rushes for 52 yards (1.7 avg.) with one touchdown.

Simms owns one game of playoff experience, completing 25-of-38 (65.8%) passes for 198 yards with two interceptions in a start for the Buccaneers in their NFC Wild Card Game against the Redskins during the 2005 season. That year, he helped Tampa Bay to the NFC South title, starting 10-of-11 regular-season games played and completing 191-of-313 (61.0%) passes for a career-high 2,035 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions for an 81.4 passer rating.

Last season, Simms appeared in one game as a backup quarterback with Tennessee. He completed 1-of-2 passes for seven yards in the Titans’ game at Indianapolis on Dec. 28.

At Texas, Simms became the first quarterback in school history to lead the Longhorns to consecutive 10-win seasons. Simms, whose 26 career wins (26-6 record) as a starting quarterback ranked second in Texas annals, completed 532-of-911 (58.4%) passes for 7,097 yards with 58 touchdowns and 31 interceptions in 43 career games (32 starts) with the Longhorns.

Named USA Today Offensive Player of the Year as a senior at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, N.J., Simms was born on Aug. 29, 1980.

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Comments

Do you think that....

McD has it in the back of his mind that he could groom Simms to be the next Cassel (sp) and one day trade him away for some value? I think this is a great signing for a whole host of reasons

by swg777 on Mar 5, 2009 7:30 PM MST reply actions

nice thought

it certainly is one of the highest percentage shots at trying to do that available, and we will probably draft a QB if the right situation presents itself in hte draft as well…

On a different note, I was thinking about how this signing could help Jay get over the Bates firing. These two could talk about him and share memories, and then before every game they could do a “This one’s for Jeremy” chest bump…

Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 5, 2009 8:20 PM MST up reply actions

Nice post Guru

Good acquisition of these guys. Both are competitors. I’ve always liked seeing a RB as return man. Isn’t Simms left-handed? If he is, that should change the line dynamics a little, shouldn’t it – putting Ryan Harris protecting his blind side?

by Blackknigh on Mar 5, 2009 7:33 PM MST reply actions

As a former left-handed backup QB....

I have to say you raise an interesting point. Typically you can’t just have you tackels switch sides. A right tackles is used to having guard help to his left and open field to his right. It’s to hard to adjust in mid-game (which would usually be when a backup would come in). In my opinion the easiest way to deal with the situation is to keep the typical formation and ask the QB to adjust. A left-handed QB (or any left-hander for that matter) has spent their entire life adjusting to a right handed game (world). They are actually more adept at adjusting to the right-handed team than the right-handed team is at adjusting to them.

But you can expect the talking-heads to blather endlessly about this because they can recognize a lefty when they see one, but more of them couldn’t tell the difference between a rip move and a swim move if their life depended on it.

by SlowWhiteGuy on Mar 6, 2009 10:33 AM MST up reply actions

There's nothing not to like about Arrington based on last year...

I am a Pac 10 fan and was so hoing the Broncos got him out of the draft. He set the Pac 10 alight. As soon as Arizona got him I was like “Thats his career done” behind that terrible O line. Same thing happend to Marcel Shipp.
I tyhink Arrigton has more potential than many are seeing, has relatively low miles, and if he could average over 6 a run and near 9 a catch for the Broncos, and be a good return man, he could be one of thye best pick ups of Free Agency.
The kid appears to be on the upswing.

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Mar 5, 2009 7:58 PM MST reply actions

That is if he

is healthy enough to play. Right now I am not even expecting him to play at the start of the regular season, so if he is a go, I will consider that a bonus right there. Everything else from him should be gravy…

Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Mar 5, 2009 8:22 PM MST up reply actions

I do like how the upswing

seems to be McDaniels’ focus in assembling his FAs. It’s like a lot of these guys were true talents but went to systems that didn’t utilize them well. Here’s hoping we find a way to do that, and that they coalesce around the opportunity as a team.

"Hey guy worm has turn...We need all kind of crazy fool on defence. Like ten new guy...Just solid guy not souper star break you bank. I turn guy." - Horvil Tiki

by broncosmontana on Mar 5, 2009 8:26 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks for the info boydy

I don’t follow much college ball and knew very little about Arrington. I was not impressed initially but I appreciate your perspective. I was not impressed with Young and Hall last year and they already cut the guy I like in training camp (Alderidge) so I hope Arrington is the guy we need as a change-of-pace back and return man.

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08

by firstfan on Mar 5, 2009 8:59 PM MST up reply actions

No worries First...the kid has some talent. I like him a lot more than Selvin or Andre!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Mar 5, 2009 9:03 PM MST up reply actions

we picked up an injured rb?

how comforting. seriously, if he can be a good returner alone, he will earn his paycheck. major need, and major upgrade if he is above-average. this may end up being a very solid pickup. again, LAST IN THE LEAGUE IN AVG. STARTING FIELD POSITION! and another little fact for you cassell fans to ponder. and no, i’m not letting that one go. ever.

simms, $3m per. eh. never saw much out of him. an upgrade over ramsey? i’ll call it a wash for now. neither has amounted to much, as of yet, and it’s getting late. honestly, i wouldn’t have minded rolling with hackney, because if jay goes down for any length of time, we’re pretty screwed anyway, like almost every other team. so, why spend the money on a failure, to date? i thought we overpaid, here. either way, let’s hope we don’t need to use him much, right?

taste my blintzkrieg!
2009-year of the defense.

by davecheffy on Mar 5, 2009 8:52 PM MST reply actions

Disagree Dave...

You are talking about a miniscus injury (which could be just a shave which is just a clean up) whioch could see JJ miss very little time….6 weeks is normal (correct me if I am wrong Bear). It is a very minimal operation.
Simms has a LOT more upside than Ramsey. Younger, stronger arm, more mobile, and will be able to come in behind this O line and actually win us some games if cutler is injured. A definite improvement.
I think we all need to get over how Denver USED to be with its running game. Thats is the past. This is not the denver team we have known for the past 10 years.
Remember, New England was the 6th best team in rushing last year, but not many people know who its best rusher was. this should give us all a clue. The running game will be sdhared around based on who we play, and what scheme we employ.
Welcome to the new era…and I welcome it with open arms!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Mar 5, 2009 9:02 PM MST up reply actions

i was referring to styg's comment above

that j.j. may be out until the reg. season. and half-kidding actually, before the “seriously” part. either way, i am on board with that one, if he can excel at returns, at the least. i still think simms sucks, and hope we never get to find out. he looks mentally slow out there. i was over the old running game last preseason, when i was the first to suggest we would be a pass-first offense to go with our strengths(wr,te,qb), and a new/young o-line that didn’t have the zb-scheme down yet, but excelled at pass-protection. i got annihilated on that one here, “utter blasphemy”, they cried. way ahead of you, mate

taste my blintzkrieg!
2009-year of the defense.

by davecheffy on Mar 5, 2009 10:00 PM MST up reply actions

Sorry man,,,,,my apologoes....

Weird how that happens on here when replying to comments.
Thanks Dave!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Mar 5, 2009 10:14 PM MST up reply actions

we haven’t had “the” Denver RB for a while now…just ask any fantasy football player. Always tempted by the pick of a bronco but ultimately burned by him too. Even when it was Anderson and Bell one never knew who was going to be the 100 yd rusher any given week.

by trumanj on Mar 5, 2009 10:17 PM MST up reply actions

Surgery

I believe that he had a meniscus surgery. The mini-scus is the same thing, only smaller.

Be careful of general terms in football injuries. A torn meniscus can be a simple, 3 – 6 week recovery. It can also be a single part of a complex list of damage, but they use a single term both to keep the details from the public and to minimize their own assumed risk.

After watching football for a long time, I’ve gotten pretty hardened to the constant stream of mis-information on injuries and their attendant risk and recovery times. Has anyone not noticed how rarely what we are told matches the outcome? The only real information on injuries tends to be misinformation.

I’m sure that the Broncos are comfortable with the outcome, based on their surgeon(s) reviewing the surgical notes (If only I could!) and examining the player. I suspect we’re Ok.

Hillis in '09

by Doc Bear on Mar 6, 2009 11:50 AM MST up reply actions

It feels good to part with Ramsey the Damned.

It still won’t be easy watching Cutler get hurt, but it won’t be the end of the world. I love the Simms signing, but I only want him to see the light of day on field goals and if we’re up by 40 points.

I picked the wrong weekend to quit sniffing glue...

by papigrande on Mar 5, 2009 9:26 PM MST reply actions

Agree Papi...I want Cutler to develop into the QB we all know he can be...I am just less worried about an injury now!

I honestly thought Ramsey could never win us a game, but only lose us games!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Mar 5, 2009 9:40 PM MST up reply actions

come on!!!

jj is one thing, BUT. Chris? That was a last stroke of genious, because, JC is about to walk into the office of Mr. Bolin and shoot him in the head with a paper wad bullet that Pat will not be able to catch!

Then Jay, will continue down the hallway and connect with the best bullet that he has ever thrown, strait between the eyes of a coach that he has never worked for, and then, he will go to the locker room, where he will Greese every single piece of equipment that Chris will ever use. After that, he will walk out of there. with a big grin on his face, take a year off, and then wait for the new contract with some team who will actually apreciate his tallents.

Letz just hope that he doesn’t choke on his passy-fire, in the process. If he does, then Criss will get his chance to shine!

It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man, Solomon.

by metalman5050 on Mar 5, 2009 9:33 PM MST reply actions

-1

Chris is only there to be a backup, not compete for the starting job. After Ramses walked, we needed a new backup. Here he is. If Jay’s pissed about this, then I really don’t get what goes on inside his head.

I picked the wrong weekend to quit sniffing glue...

by papigrande on Mar 5, 2009 9:38 PM MST up reply actions

What is going on in Jays head, is that he is a young man, who has no idea, of any way, to recognize, that he is not every persons dream for what ever he thinks that the dream should be. Pure and simple.

After that, he needs to get over himself!

It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man, Solomon.

by metalman5050 on Mar 5, 2009 10:22 PM MST up reply actions

dude

your pacman got eaten lose one life

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

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 5, 2009 10:14 PM MST up reply actions

+1

beew-beew-beew bip bip!

by Royal With Cheese on Mar 6, 2009 8:08 AM MST up reply actions

He is a person who

doesn’t get the game.

If he got the fact that micky D was simply looking for a QB, IN CASSSEL, that he could plug into this new system, and the fact that J cutlers BUDDY went to TB, then, WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL WITH ALL OF THE HYPE? I think that our very tallented QB needs to grow up!

Jay must now learn a new system. No problem! The new HC, would like to win a SB this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Josh Mcdaniels could figure out a way to get Cassel, and start him this year, and give Jay a year to pick up the new system, then Josh would have been that much closer to a string of SB’s, and on HIS way to catching up to his nemisis, that being Billy the Bellichechin Dude!!!

Toooo Funnny 2 B true!~

It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man, Solomon.

by metalman5050 on Mar 5, 2009 9:56 PM MST reply actions

the "person' I am talkin about is Jay Cutler.

It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man, Solomon.

by metalman5050 on Mar 5, 2009 9:58 PM MST up reply actions

Way off topic and a bit late

But I wanted to say congratulations on picking up Dawkins. He is the player that I have had the most respect for through the entirety of my life. Hearing the news that he was gone was the worst news I could have heard. You guys got one hell of a player, and he will do wonders for your locker room and team. You should know how lucky you are to have him.

-a depressed Eagles fan.

It took my two years to come up with an avatar and sig
and this is the best I could come up with.

by einman77 on Mar 5, 2009 10:02 PM MST reply actions