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Bucs Sign Sims To New Deal

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

Published: February 20, 2009

TAMPA - Buccaneers defensive tackle Ryan Sims went from nearly being out of the NFL to finally having a home.

The Bucs re-signed Sims on Thursday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Sims figures to compete for playing time this season, partly because of his large frame (6-foot-4, 315 pounds). New defensive coordinator Jim Bates recently said he wants his tackles to be bigger than Tampa Bay's traditionally undersized linemen.

"I think one of the things about this contract is, it works," said Peter Schafer, Sims' agent.

"Tampa gives him an opportunity and he goes from almost out of the league to competing for a starting job."

Schafer added: "It's a credit to the organization, staff and all the people who got out of him what they expected after he got drafted."

Sims, who entered the NFL as a first-round selection (sixth overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2002 draft, joined the Bucs in a trade before the 2007 season.

He has played in 24 games with two starts for Tampa Bay the past two seasons.

Sims has 32 tackles, including seven for loss, and has 2.5 sacks, two passes defensed and one forced fumble since joining the Bucs.
Bucs Cut 12 Jobs In Organization

Following a league-wide trend, the Bucs confirmed Thursday they have eliminated a dozen positions within the organization.
Club spokesman Jeff Kamis said one of the jobs eliminated was in the public relations department.

In December, Commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL planned to cut more than 10 percent of its staff, affecting employees in the league's New York headquarters, the NFL Network in Los Angeles and NFL Films in Mount Laurel, N.J.

Within the past few months, the Colts, Redskins, Browns and Patriots have eliminated positions.

Ira Kaufman

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