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Simms Feeling At Home

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 10, 2009

Updated: 01/10/2009 01:11 am

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Chris Simms arrived in the mecca of country and western music packing some extra baggage.

"I have to admit I was skeptical about coming here, being a Jersey boy and all, but Nashville is a great place," Simms said Friday, 24 hours before Tennessee's third-string quarterback is slated to arrive at LP Field for an AFC playoff semifinal against the Ravens. "It's quite a town and we're really enjoying living here in the city."

Simms was released last summer after five seasons with the Bucs marked by thrills, spills and turmoil.

The amiable southpaw replaced an injured Brian Griese as Tampa Bay's starter in the fall of 2005 and guided the Bucs to an NFC South title, only to lose his spleen and his job the following September.

"I loved my time in Tampa and made a lot of great friends there," Simms said. "I don't think people realize just how big a football city Tampa is. I look back at my years there as a great experience ... with no regrets."

In Music City, Simms makes a quick commute home to Danielle and their 2-year-old daughter, Charlotte. He signed only a one-year deal with the Titans, who finished 13-3 to grab the AFC's No. 1 seed.

"I'm enjoying the ride right now, getting myself ready for next year," said Simms, third on the depth chart behind veteran Kerry Collins and Vince Young. "Jeff Fisher has been here a long time and he's a very upfront coach - no B.S involved.

"I'd love to come back here with Tennessee. When I first joined the Titans, I think they were a little concerned about my health, but they've been very patient and right now I feel pretty darned good. I feel I'm back to the old Chris Simms."

The old Chris Simms tantalized Jon Gruden with accurate throws downfield from the confines of the pocket. He also exasperated Tampa Bay's coach with his struggles to improvise successfully while on the run.

Simms, whose only action of 2008 came when he played one series in the regular-season finale at Indianapolis, can't wait for today's matchup.

"I've never been so excited about a game I don't expect to play in," he said with a hearty laugh.

The Titans edged the Ravens 13-10 in October and these two physical AFC powers share the same identity.

"Jeff Fisher is a defensive coach and we have a great one," said Simms, who turned 28 on Aug. 29, the day before the Bucs released him. "Like Baltimore, we run the ball and try to beat you down. That's a totally different style than the Tampa way. We feel we match up well with the Ravens. A lot of teams get frustrated by the way Baltimore plays, but we don't mind winning ugly. I think we're one of the few clubs you'll find that is very comfortable being in a 6-3 football game."

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