Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas
Chris Simms finally has spoken -- quite loudly.
Simms, who hasn't played since losing his spleen in 2006 and hasn't taken part in Tampa Bay's offseason program, said the Bucs are holding him hostage. He's exactly right.
It's been obvious for a long time that Simms isn't in this team's plans and he should have been traded or released long ago. The reason why the Bucs are holding on to him isn't readily apparent, unless they're just keeping Simms in case something happens to one of their other quarterbacks.
But, even in that scenario, it's hard to imagine Simms coming back and playing a significant role because it's obvious he and coach Jon Gruden have no interest in being together. Simms' comments to the Tampa Bay media only make that rift more pronounced.
Simms said Gruden wanted to cut him last year, but the Glazer family, which owns the team, forced the coach to keep the quarterback. If the Glazers truly care so much about Simms, the best thing they can do is step in and tell Gruden to cut Simms - right now.
Simms deserves a fresh start somewhere else and there's no sense in dragging this show out any longer.
