Message-ID: <30862132.1075857350963.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2000 01:51:00 -0700 (PDT) From: dgagliardi@reliantenergy.com To: clint.dean@enron.com Subject: Good as golden Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: dgagliardi@reliantenergy.com X-To: clint.dean@enron.com X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Clint_Dean_Dec2000\Notes Folders\Info X-Origin: Dean-C X-FileName: cdean.nsf ---------------------- Forwarded by David M Gagliardi/TTG/HouInd on 09/01/2000 08:51 AM --------------------------- Tracy Ralston on 08/31/2000 11:43:41 PM To: wdr3@swbell.net cc: Subject: Good as golden http://www.dailytexan.utexas.edu/webtexan/today/2000083116_s01_Chris.html Good as golden Chris Simms has the name, the arm strength and the confidence. So is he ready to inherit the Horns offense? By Paul J. Weber Daily Texan Staff When Chris Simms reported to Texas' preseason camp earlier this month, he did so bearing an enormous chip on his shoulder. And it had nothing to do with the way the Longhorns' quarterback situation was being handled. "I hate putting on shoulder pads. I just hate it. I want the smallest shoulder pads ever," Simms said. "Really, I wish I could just put my kneepads on my shoulder. It makes me feel restricted, especially after throwing without pads all summer. But I eventually got used to it." His adjustment must of happened during the first afternoon practice of two-a-days. Because for the past two weeks that Simms has engineered the Horns' first-team offense at Whitaker Fields, there has scarcely been a moment where the Texas sophomore hasn't looked comfortable operating behind center. Sure, interceptions have been thrown and routes have been mistimed, but Simms' trademark confidence has remained constant. All the while, Simms has spent a lot of time in the middle of a day-to-day frenzy at Texas, where a starting quarterback has yet to be named for the season opener just 10 days away. Texas head coach Mack Brown has shyed away from giving any indication as to who the starter might be or when the selection will be announced, leaving just speculation as to whether it will be Simms or Major Appplewhite who comes out on the field first Sept. 9 against Louisiana-Lafayette. "We're doing what all you guys are doing," Brown said. "[Offensive coordinator] Greg [Davis] and I are looking at, evaluating it, and trying to be fair. But honestly, I think both of these guys could play in the NFL." That may be looking a bit too far ahead, but for the quarterback with the regal NFL bloodlines, Simms has been taking the situation in stride. He's brushed off the endless questions about the issue with ease, and in the meantime, has put together a string of practices that revealed a much more patient and mature quarterback than the one abruptly thrust into high-pressure situations toward the end of last season. "All of this hubub hasn't been much of a distraction. I don't read the news, I don't read the newspaper," Simms said. "All I really watch is SportsCenter in my life. That's all I ever watch. That's all my life is. Practice, eat, nap. Practice, eat, nap." Simms finished his freshman campaign as the Horns' quarterback, after Applewhite blew out his knee in the Cotton Bowl during Texas' 27-6 loss to close out 1999. Surgery and rehabilitation kept the reigning co-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year sidelined through spring drills, where Simms assumed the starting quarterback position and showed every reason why he was one of the nation's top recruits when he came out of high school the year before. "He's got sharp instincts and a tremendous arm," Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis said. "A guy like Chris gives you a lot of options in your quarterback, between his mental understanding of the game and his physical ability." Simms reported to campus this fall about 17 pounds heavier than he was at this time a year ago, as the 6-foot 5-inch signal caller added muscle in the weight room this offseason. He joked the biggest difference in his added strength was "looking better in my uniform," but Simms does think the extra muscle has given him better arm strength and has increased his ability to take a hit, even though Brown has not allowed his quarterbacks to be touched this preseason. "People ask me if I'm scared when I'm out there, and if I'm scared of getting hit by these big guys while I'm out there. And yeah, I am scared," Simms said. "Because I don't want to fail. I don't want to be a failure. " If Simms does start this season, his fear of failure should be eased by the targets he'll be throwing to downfield. Texas has added a bumper crop of wide receivers dubbed The Big Three to their offensive mix, with Roy Williams, Sloan Thomas and B.J. Johnson poised to become big targets for the Texas passing attack this year. And unlike Applewhite one of the more stationary quarterbacks in the pocket Simms can be mobile when need be, though he doesn't really consider himself a scrambler. Or at least one like Virginia Tech's Michael Vick, who like Simms, is a lefty. "I don't think I could ever do what he could do," Simms said. "I might be able to run a 4.25 forty off a cliff, but that's about it." And does Simms have an ideal situation for his playing time this season? "Do I have an ideal situation? I think you can figure it out," Simms said. "Just write it down, and you'll figure it out. " Hook 'em Horns Tracy Ralston wdr3@swbell.net