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Rubinson captures Fort Worth Title, ties record |
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forward It is the end of the line for senior quarterback Chris Simms, as the man with a highly pulicized collegiate career looks to erase the doubts of his shaky past. By Rana L. Cash The Dallas Morning News AUSTIN — The questions aimed at Chris Simms are loaded and blunt. Did it break you? Did you cry? Are you over it? Simms is patient and polite, as always. His facial expression is warm and sure. His voice does not quiver. He doesn’t fidget. Simms is the epitome of calm. Depending on one’s perspective, this is either the quiet whisper that lingers before a storm or the stoic confidence that brews within champions. With the Texas senior quarterback, it’s tough to be absolutely sure. He is fearless in his approach to the game and insists he is not intimidated by monumental games. At times, he is setting records and looking wholly impressive in the process. Other times, seemingly at the most inopportune moments, he is failing miserably. Texas has all the right parts. There is talent, loads of it in fact, and there is experience. There are high hopes. There is motivation fueled by the passing whiff of roses last season. But of course, there are doubts. Stinging memories of last year’s conference championship loss to Colorado haunt those who want to believe in UT but fear the notion. Texas had the Rose Bowl in clear view before an inexplicable meltdown by Simms resulted in three interceptions, a fumble, a 39-37 loss and an invitation to the Culligan Holiday Bowl. Simms has posted a 16-4 record as a starter, including a 27-0 victory over North Texas in the season opener. Still, there are flashbacks to his tear-stained face after the loss to the Buffaloes. No longer behind Simms is Major Applewhite. He’ll be in a radio booth, critiquing his former teammates. He won’t be available to pull out a victory, as he did in the Culligan Holiday Bowl against Washington last December. Also gone is heavyweight right tackle Mike Williams, the first-round NFL draft pick who protected Simms’ blind side. Still, Simms is surrounded by the likes of Roy Williams, B.J. Johnson and Sloan Thomas at receiver, running back Cedric Benson and this year’s versatile cog on the offensive line, Derrick Dockery. Grand credentials, combined with being the son of a Super Bowl MVP (Phil Simms), have thrust Simms into the spotlight. Some grade his career a failure. Others discount him as privileged and overrated. He separates himself from the furor, remaining mostly upbeat and humble. “I’m not going to grade my career,” Simms said. “The important thing is I’ve had a lot of great experiences at school, on and off the field. I’ve learned so much from all of the ups and downs that I’ve gone through, and that’s part of being a quarterback — especially a young one.” Simms has added maturity for 2002. This time last year, he said he had a list of people he wanted to make swallow their words. The list is history. “I’m not going to do that this year. The bad guys won last year,” Simms said, laughing. Instead, he is focused on becoming a better player. Though Simms said he is not intimidated by the aura of big games, he knows making his mark in them will define his legacy. “This is a year where we have no excuses,” Simms said. “We have a lot of good players. We know it. Wherever we’re ranked in preseason, we deserve to be there.” Whatever the outcome, it all starts with Simms for the Longhorns. |
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TCU Daily Skiff © 2002 |
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