Matt Simms: 2014 and Beyond

After spending 2013 as Geno Smith's primary backup, the signing of Michael Vick dropped Matt Simms on the depth chart. After beating out Tajh Boyd in training camp, he claimed the third quarterback spot and spent the first half of the season on the practice squad.

Simms was called up for the Kansas City game as Geno Smith was deactivated due to injury. He got his only action of the season in that game when Michael Vick left briefly for an injury. Simms was 3 for 8 with 39 yards.

It is kind of amazing Simms has lasted as long as he has. He originally joined the Jets in training camp 2012. After being cut that season, he caught on again for training camp 2013 and made the team. It might be more amazing Simms got a chance to begin with. He had almost no success as a college quarterback and was not even the starter for his team, Tennessee. He was only a 54% passer in his college career and threw as many interceptions as touchdowns, eight. It is not clear why the Jets thought somebody who had no success in college would have success in the NFL.

When he first came to the Jets, Simms was a player who locked onto his first read and threw the ball as hard to that player no matter how tightly he was covered. Based on what we saw in preseason and his limited regular season snaps, Simms is currently a player who locked onto his first read and threw the ball as hard to that player no matter how tightly he was covered.

While he has a huge arm, that alone does not make a quarterback. Simms is going to be 27 in September. That is old for a project player. By the time a player is 27, he has usually showed signs of development if he is ever going to make it as a pro. Simms has shown little if any.

As much as the big things were a problem with John Idzik, the little things were too. There are a finite number of roster and practice squad spots. By using one to keep Simms, a player with no upside, the Jets lost a chance to add a player who they could have conceivably developed into the next Damon Harrison or Mike Devito. Is it likely they lost out on a developmental player who will become a star? Probably not, but it is tough enough to win in this league without wasting resources, no matter how small.

I don't think the Jets should even bring Simms to training camp next year. The Jets can only carry 90 players into camp. The spot that would go to Simms should go to a developmental player with more upside. Do you agree?