Bucs turn to Simms

Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004 | 9:27 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms will make his first NFL start Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

Simms, the son of former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, will replace 13-year veteran Brad Johnson, who led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl win two years ago.

A third-round pick in the 2003 draft, Simms said he wants to provide an offensive spark for a Buccaneers' team that's struggled to an 0-4 start and is averaging just 12.3 points a game, the second-worst in the NFL.

"I just want to get in there, change things up and give us a new attitude," Simms said. "I just hope I can go out there, be a good leader and give a little energy to the offensive group."

Simms, 24, who didn't play as a rookie, made his NFL debut three weeks ago when he replaced Johnson in the second quarter of Tampa Bay's 10-6 loss to Seattle. He completed 21-of- 32 passes for 175 yards and an interception. He also fumbled twice, losing one.

Simms will practice with the first-team offense this week while Johnson, 36, assumes a backup role for the first time since signing with the Buccaneers as a free agent in 2001. Johnson has lost 10 of his last 13 starts since leading Tampa Bay to the Super Bowl victory.

Johnson has passed for 674 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions this season. Brian Griese will be Tampa Bay's third-string quarterback this week.

Wheatley was hurt in the first quarter of Sunday' 30-17 loss to Houston after catching a short pass from Kerry Collins. He was tackled for a 1-yard loss and landed hard on his shoulder. Wheatley at one point tried to go back in the game but was held out by coach Norv Turner.

Wheatley wasn't in the locker room Wednesday during media availability. All the Raiders said was that Wheatley was doubtful for Sunday's game at Indianapolis and didn't specify which shoulder was hurt.

Turner said after Wednesday's practice that if Wheatley couldn't play, Zack Crockett and Amos Zereoue would get the bulk of the snaps at tailback.