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Ride Of His Life
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By MARTIN FENNELLY

Published: Jun 25, 2006



First things first, Bucs fans:

He doesn't own a motorcycle.

You may resume breathing.

Your quarterback, and the future that rides on him, remains in one laid-back, nice-as-you-please piece. When Chris Simms heard of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's big crash, he remembered his parents' advice: No motorcycles, no skiing. Then he sank into disbelief.

"I was amazed," Simms said. "When I first heard about it, you know, it's one thing if you're riding a Harley or those huge things, and another when you're riding one of those Japanese crash rockets. That's just dangerous."

OK, so he has gone bungee-jumping. And he can't walk away from death-drop amusement rides. "I was extremely daring in my younger days," said Simms, who in August turns 26 whole years old.

But there are other thrills. Last season was one, from his first snap to the way his heart thumped during that playoff game. Last Sunday was a bigger one. Simms became a father. Sienna Rose entered the world. Mom Danielle, a gamer, did it naturally. Dad did his part and cried. Wiggles, here they come.

"She has cracked a few smiles," Chris Simms said of his daughter. "I don't know if she knows she's smiling, but she has what looks to be a smile. I get such a kick out of her. I can just sit there and stare at her. She doesn't have to do anything. She dreams, and you see her moving around."

Dreams run in the family.

It's All In Front Of Him
It's enough to make Bucs fans pinch themselves and cross their fingers for good luck. It's all in front of Chris Simms. The starter's job is his. He helped save last season. Now come all the other seasons. And possibilities. Simms isn't really a child anymore. Of course, you wouldn't know it when he's around children.

His new community project involves The Children's Home in Tampa and taking trips with kids to the zoo, aquarium, all that stuff. Kids from struggling families, or no family, see him and race to hug his legs. Simms is amazed at their happiness.

"Kids are just the greatest, because they're still so pure."

You could say the same about this quarterback. Everything is so new to him, so pure.

"I think he's more confident," Jon Gruden said. "This will be the first time he'll be given the ball on Opening Day. He still isn't the most-experienced guy in the world, but, boy, has he shown more poise."

Having said that, nothing is certain. It's weird. Simms is gaining on every learning curve, but the future isn't a lock. He doesn't ride motorcycles or bungee jump, but this season is daring enough for Simms.

"I'm rolling the dice," he said.

He jumped at a one-year contract with the Bucs. It's a trend for NFL teams with young quarterbacks, and not a bad one: Let them play their way to pay. That's fine by Simms. He'll be a free agent after next season. A huge year could mean a huge contract. A bad season and ... hear those tumbling dice?

He thinks Gruden trusts him, though not totally.

"I don't think anyone ever gets his complete trust," Simms said. "Maybe Rich Gannon. I'm trying to get there."

Are the Bucs totally sold?

"I think it's a fair question. Are they sold on me? Probably not. I did do a lot of selling last year, but I'm not quite Donald Trump yet. ... I'm sure there's lots more they want to see. Me, too."

Grandpa Is All Ears
Pressure won't enter into it. The kid has had eyes on him since he began playing sports - Phil Simms' Boy. And he'll avoid a sense of comfort or entitlement. He heard his father booed too many times for that.

"It's never for certain," Simms said.

Some of the smallest things made him smile last season. Like when the Bucs beat the Falcons late in the season, a grinding win, another gritty game from Simms. When it was over, Falcons defensive lineman Patrick Kearney found Simms to tell him, "Hey, you're really tough."

And there's this: his father - rather, grandpa - asked him for advice last season on who to pick in the Carolina-Giants playoff game. Phil liked the Giants. Chris liked Carolina. Phil picked Carolina.

"You know, he does listen to me a little more," Chris said.

I don't know if you know you're smiling, but you are, if only at the thought of what could be. Chris Simms is rolling the dice. Only it doesn't feel like that. It feels like it's all ahead of him. It feels so pure. Something to be cherished. Which reminded us to ask him about taking Sienna home from the hospital.

"We strapped her into the car seat like nine times, like she was getting ready for an Air Force battle," Simms said.

Now for the next ride.

Thrills. Spills. Smiles. And dreams.

Chris Simms, 2006.

Strap yourself in.


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