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Simms Confirms He Will Be At Camp

Tribune file photo by Jay Conner

Unhappy Bucs quarterback Chris Simms has asked to be released or traded, but plans to report to training camp on Friday.

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By ROY CUMMINGS and ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 22, 2008

Updated: 07/22/2008 01:19 am

TAMPA - He has no idea what will happen once he gets there, but disgruntled Bucs quarterback Chris Simms says he has every intention of reporting to training camp Friday.

"I will be at camp," Simms wrote Monday in response to a text message inquiring about his plans for the start of camp. "I have no clue what is going to happen once I get there. We'll see."

Some believe Simms could immediately be released. That's what happened to Simeon Rice after he failed a physical last year. There is a growing chance, however, that Simms might be asked to stick around a while.

It's not that the Bucs are in need of another quarterback. Counting Simms, they have five on the roster, including projected starter Jeff Garcia and backup candidates Brian Griese, Luke McCown and Josh Johnson.

What the Bucs don't have is a current evaluation of Simms' abilities. The only way to get that is to allow him to compete for a job and that looks to be the plan the Bucs will adopt.

It's possible, then, that Simms not only will report to camp, but also will work out extensively, and possibly for several weeks, before the Bucs make their next move. That might not sit well with Simms.

Simms, who has not played since he underwent a splenectomy nearly two years ago, has made it clear he no longer believes he has a future with the Bucs and has asked for his release or to be traded.

Simms doesn't figure to be the only unhappy player reporting to camp Friday. Garcia is looking for a contract extension and defensive lineman Greg White is looking for a payoff on his breakout rookie season, and there are strong indications he might not show up Friday.

The Bucs and White have yet to agree on a new contract, and if not signed by Saturday (the first day of practice), he can not participate in training camp.

"I'm optimistic something reasonable will get done by Friday," said Jack Bechta, White's agent. "The ball is in their court."

White is an exclusive-rights free agent, meaning Tampa Bay is the only team that can negotiate with him. The Bucs offered White a contract of $370,000 in February, a slight improvement on the $285,000 base salary he earned last season, when he recorded a team-high eight sacks and led Tampa Bay with seven forced fumbles.

Bechta said White is seeking a contract equivalent to what a second-round draft pick would receive. Last year, Bucs second-round pick Sabby Piscitelli signed a four-year deal that included guaranteed payouts of more than $1 million.

"I think these things go down to the wire," Bechta said. "I would assume we'll talk with the Bucs in the next 24 hours."

In addition, Bucs long snapper Andrew Economos, who also was an exclusive-rights free agent, signed a deal this offseason believed to be worth $4 million over five years.

Meanwhile, the Bucs appear close to completing a deal with third-round pick Jeremy Zuttah, an offensive lineman out of Rutgers. Zuttah's agent said a deal could be finalized today.

The Bucs have signed three of the picks: DT Dre Moore (fourth round), LB Geno Hayes (sixth round) and RB Cory Boyd (seventh round).

Lastly, safety Donte Nicholson was tasered twice and arrested during a weekend scuffle with police officers at the entrance of a St. Petersburg nightclub.

The third-year pro, who appeared in one game last season, was taken to Pinellas County Jail early Sunday and charged with misdemeanor battery and resisting arrest without violence. He was released after posting $300 bond.

The Bucs had no comment on the arrest.

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979 or rcummings@tampatrib.com. Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425 or arichardson@tampatrib.com.

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