As Matt Simms Turns

The Matt Simms-saga reached the conclusion that most people assumed would come to pass. Let’s take a look at this soap opera and some of the key figures involved.

First of all, in my opinion, there was no reason for the Buffalo Bills to throw Jeff Tuel to the curb for Matt Simms. It was gratuitous as far as I’m concerned.

But in a way, it was Rex being Rex.

It’s kind of odd how much time we spend talking about a fourth-string quarterback, but there definitely is some intrigue to this Simms story.

Let’s take a closer look.

On Thursday, the Jets waived Simms. He asked for his release. Simms felt he had no chance due due to the drafting of Bryce Petty, who seems like a virtual lock for the #3 QB job.

Also, the Jets really took a liking to Jake Heaps in the rookie mini-camp.

Now I’m not saying that Heaps is a big factor right now, but if he keeps practicing well, he could be a strong candidate for the practice squad as a developmental QB.

So in a way, Heaps actually factored into the Simms’ scenario a little.

If the Jets are going to bring a fourth arm to camp, why not try something new? Putting Simms in a developmental QB role at this point, in Jets-Land, it’s like, been there, done that.

And the Jets’ new regime has no allegiance to Simms. He was a Tannenbaum-Idzik-Ryan experiment.

Reading the tea leaves, I get the sense that Chan Gailey was more into Heaps than Simms. Heaps seemed to get more work in the OTA’s.

The bizarre comments of Matt’s brother, Chris, on WFAN, probably didn’t help.

“Because dad and I, of course, we know are not the most soft-spoken people in the world. The NFL, as you guys know, coaches are so conservative, very right wing, want everything to be private, don’t want anybody to know their stuff,” said Chris Simms. “Now you get a guy like Matt Simms and now Phil Simms knows what this team is doing behind the scenes and maybe he agrees or thinks it’s stupid … I do, I think some of that is part of the politics of the NFL.”

Not sure what he’s talking about. All of sudden Rex Ryan (when he was with the Jets) and now Todd Bowles are Rush Limbaugh and William F. Buckley?

I have said this before, and it’s what I have believed from the get-go – Matt Simms family background helped him with the Jets, more than it hurt him. Chris Simms believes otherwise. I disagree.

I think that some people with power were trying to be cool, big shots with a big shot, a New York icon, and a major network broadcast figure.

I can’t prove it, but I’ve felt that way all along knowing the characters who were making the decisions, and how they are wired.

I watched Matt Simms in practice for three years, and obviously saw the preseason and occasional regular season work, as many of you did. I just don’t see it.

And look at what Rex did in Buffalo today. Tossing Tuel aside to bring in Matt Simms. I’m not putting Tuel in Canton, but was this really necessary? No. Lateral move, if that. But Rex makes a lot of personnel decisions emotionally, which I don’t think is a good idea. Like signing John Connor yet again. Signing Derek Mason is another one that comes to mind. He’s impulsive, sometimes not thought through.

“Let’s bring in Simmsy,” I could see Rex saying to David Lee and Doug Whaley.

There is no reason for this. He’s not better than Tuel.

But Rex has more of a personal connection with Matt Simms than Tuel.

And you hear all this glowing praise for David Lee as a QB coach. David Lee likes Simms.

Lee has the reputation as a guru? Who has he developed? I’m not being flip. Just wondering.

While Matt Simms is a great guy, I’m glad he’s moved on to another team. Nothing personal.

It was a little tiresome how much media attention he constantly got based on his so-so talent and role?

You should have seen how often reporters went over to his locker the last three years. It was like “The Tonight Show” over there. I’m not blaming Matt Simms for this, but it was a little over the top You had people going over there who covered his father, who cover the Giants, or just wanting to chat. I’m like, “enough already.”

He’s definitely in a better place now, with a coach who loves him, a QB coach who loves him, and a GM, who is seemingly doing whatever the coach wants.

May 29, 2015

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