Simms to start for Broncos against Chargers
By John Livingston | November 22, 2009
It is official, Chris Simms will be the starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos when they kickoff today’s game against the AFC West division rival San Diego Chargers. Simms starts in place of the injured Kyle Orton who will suit up for the game and serve as the second string man in case Simms struggles as he did a week ago in one half of playing time after Orton’s injury.
The Broncos will need Simms to play well as today’s game has all the makings of a playoff game with the two teams battling for divisional supremacy. After last week’s loss to the Washington Redskins, the Broncos face a tough week beginning with the Chargers game today and a home match up just four days later against the New York Giants on Thanksgiving. The Broncos now must at least split this weeks games and going 2-0 would be monumental in the playoff run.
To get it done today against the Chargers, Simms must return to the form he was in during the 2005 season when, as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, he started 11 games including 313 completions on 191 attempts for a 61.0% completion percentage that was good for 2,035 yards with 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. 2005 was a career year for Simms in the NFL and he was able to twice lead his team to 4th quarter comebacks against his then division rival Atlanta Falcons.
Simms looked fundamentally sound in pre-season action this year and with a full week of practice as the starter one can expect that he will have more rhythm and chemistry with the offense than he did last week. In last weeks action, Simms went just 3-13 for only 13 yards and one key interception. The interception came on a deep throw down the middle of the field; a throw that every football expert would tell you is unacceptable in the NFL. Simms will have to make better decisions with the football, something Orton has been doing all year.
Neither of the Broncos quarterbacks have had a history of being accurate and smart with the football coming into the season, but Orton has shown that under the coaching of Josh McDaniels that as long as the quarterback does not make bad decisions with the football this team can compete with any squad in the league. Simms will have to take a lessons from Orton and make smart decisions and not make plays that will lose the game for the team. He has a tendency to be indecisive with the ball and often gets happy feet in the pocket when he is not protected. This is usually the downfall of Simms and is a sign that he feels uncomfortable which usually leads to three and outs or worse. If the Broncos offensive line can protect him and make him feel at ease in the pocket then hopefully he will be able to deliver crisp passes to his receivers all over the field.
It is a smart decision on behalf of McDaniels to sit Orton in today’s game if he is not truly able to give it his all. On a short week, it is better for the Broncos to let Orton heal more so that he is guaranteed to be ready against the Giants instead of risking further injury in today’s game against the Chargers. However, if Simms is not able to improve his play from last week then Orton may still see some action.
Hopefully, for the Broncos and their fans, Simms will have what it takes to compete today and Orton can continue to heal so that he is healthy and ready to go for the last stretch of the season where playoffs stakes will be even higher than they are today against the Chargers.
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