NFL DRAFT BENGALS
New tackle stronger from experience
COMMENT: What questions do you have about the draft?
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
CINCINNATI — Just 28 months ago — no longer able to concentrate on the game — he was out of football.
Now Pat Sims is one of the newest Cincinnati Bengals, a 314-pound defensive tackle from Auburn taken in the third round of this past weekend's NFL draft.
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Get latest headlines via RSS feedsSo what happened?
Look no farther than his meaty
left arm and the tattooed image of Vonda Nimmo, his half-sister and the woman he said he first called "Mom."
They say every picture tells a story, and this one is about the baby of the Sims family, the youngest of 10 kids, and one of the biggest guys on the Tigers' team finding his way through life.
It's about holding his big sister's hand as she guided him, chided him and loved him until he was grown and then what happened when that hand was suddenly, sadly, gone for good.
Sims grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where his dad was a longshoreman on the Port Everglades docks, and his mother was a Broward
County school bus driver.
With their mom working, Vonda — 16 years older than Pat — took on a lot of duties at home.
"She was like a mother to him and his best friend, too," said Pat's 73-year-old dad, George. "She half-spoiled him, but she'd jump right on his case, too. She didn't hesitate to knock the daylights outta him when he needed it."
Pat laughed at the assessment: "Truthfully, I was kind of scared of her, but she was my favorite. She looked out for me and always made sure I got to where I belonged."
For Pat, the path was football, just like his dad, who starred at Dillard High and then went on to play for the legendary Jake Gaither at Florida A&M. Pat was a Dillard standout, too, and then went to Auburn.
Early in the 2005 season, the whole family came to watch him play. Two days later, Vonda died from a massive heart attack. She was 34.
"That hurt him immensely,"
said Shawn Smith, Pat's brother-in-law and himself a former FAMU football player. "He kind of kept to himself and wouldn't talk about it, but you knew it was there and finally he just walked away from football."
As Pat now describes it: "It just wasn't a good year for me. I needed to get myself together."
Smith said the hiatus taught Pat some valuable lessons: "It gave him an opportunity to step away from the game and see what else was out there and No. 1, he found there wasn't much and, No. 2, he realized how much he missed the game and the camaraderie. All his friends were in football."
Before the 2006 season, Smith and George Sims met with Tigers coach Tommy Tuberville, who, according to Shawn, told Pat "if your teammates will take you back you can return."
Sims was a backup in 2006, but last season he started all 13 Tigers' games — including seven with a cast on his left hand to protect a broken middle finger — had 37 tackles with 4.5 sacks and was first-team All-SEC.
The Bengals made him the draft's 77th overall pick and hope he helps them plug up their notoriously porous defensive front.
"He's a very, very strong man," said head coach Marvin Lewis.
In many ways he's stronger than before he quit football said Smith — "he returned with more purpose, greater passion and is a totally different guy" — and yet he's still the same because he was able to reach back for some of Vonda's old guidance.
He was able to get to where he belonged.
Back to football and now onto the Cincinnati Bengals.
Comments
By chi_ross
May 11, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Chad Johnson needs to be dealt. He is a player that causes a ruckus for the team constantly. His success never comes when the Bengals need it. Take a look at his stats over that last few years; they’re great. Then take a look at them against big-time opponents and their rival Pittsburg. He never shows up in big-time games. I don’t care if he can rip off 200 yards and 2 td’s against te 1-14 Dolphins.
By pbrownjr
May 3, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this
bengal people listen up the only reason paul brown came down there and gave your city a chance at the NFL is because he saw the success of the REDS..your a uh..i think a BASEBALL TOWN…HA HA HA ..
By Liz
May 1, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
DetroitFlyer: I have been to many flyer games. Josh Johnson & the other PFL players had the good futune to play for an ex-NFL player. The three years USD had Jim Harbaugh, he dominated the PFL. To the point UD changed their run offense to a spread. stats:Rushing career Josh 6.1 avg Kevin 3.6 avg, total offense SR yr Josh 276 pg Kevin 205 pg. Defense Kevin 3 tackles in 4 yrs. All the starters for the PFL are excellent athletes. Johnson was drafted to play QB, by an ex-UD QB, Jon Gruden.
By DetroitFlyer
May 1, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Wow, if you do not think that Kevin Hoyng has pro potential, you must have never seen him play. His best 40 times have been reported sub 4.5! In this day and age, a kid does not have to go to a football factory if he wants to play pro ball. Josh Johnson of USD, a PFL team, was drafted in the 5th round by Tampa Bay. Three other USD players have signed free agent deals. The Flyers and Mr. Hoyng pummeled USD last year! Kevin is a fantastic athlete with multiple skills, QB, FS, Special teams.
By dave
May 1, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Here is an example for “Daves last brain cell,” Cole and Sheppard are being requested by the fans but do you actually think we could sign either or both? Just because we want doesn’t mean we can have and as long as we have a weak coaching staff we will not bring talent to Cincy without paying large $$$$$$$. No-one wants to become a part of a losing organization without major compensation. Cole demanding $6.3 million and Sheppard at $5 million yr. Do you think they are going to come to Cincy?
By SHERMAN
April 30, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
I HOPE MY BENGALS TRADE CHAD JOHNSON FOR TRENT COLE AND LITO SHEPPARD.COLE IS A NATIVE OF CINCY AND HAD 12 SACKS LAST YEAR.I LIVE IN DELAWARE AND A HUGE FAN OF THE BENGALS.THIS WOULD BE GREAT FOR OUR TEAM.SO BYE BYE OCHO CINCO YOU CRY BABY.
By Liz
April 30, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Mr. Ludwig, if Kevin Hoying wanted to play pro football, then why did he turn down scholarship offers to play other positions at other colleges? Kevin could have developed skills at safety. What are Kevin’s times for the 40. My son played at UD with Kevin and my son had the fastest 40 time on the team of 4.5, two seasons ago. NFL is about speed and size. Kevin never had a chance to get drafted. Kevin choose the glory of being a top athlete at UD and needs to be happy with his decision.
By Jack
April 30, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
Potential star and defense leader in Rivers. Starting DT in Sims. Two athletic WRs in Simpson and Caldwell as well as another body to develop in Urruita. Remember this is an organization who has a good recent history of developing WRs. Collins gives depth and versitility to the OL. Lynch, Craig, and Sherry provide depth if they make the team. People question the pick of Sherry because of his character, but in reality he is a 5th rounder. There is a lot to be positive about with this draft class
By Jeff
April 30, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
Pervin, even if chad wasn’t pulling this, the bengals would have taken at least two picks at wide receiver. TJ is in the last year od his deal and Henry is off the team. Plus, when you have a great QB the rule is you try and take a high quality receiver every 2-3 years. Its time for everyone to stop pinpointing every little thing with this team. The draft is a crap shoot and nothing else, sometimes you hit and sometimes you don’t. At WR the bengals have done well
By mike
April 30, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this
The best draft the Bengals ever had. Rivers without a douth was the best linebacker in the draft. I feel this was the greatest need. Lookout for the kid from Coastal Carolina. If he gets his routes down,wow the sky is the limit. Has anyone seen this kid play. I have, the best college wideout I have ever seen.
By Shamrock
April 30, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
If santucci can get reps that line can grow!
By pervin
April 29, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
Chick, you forgot the most important question. Where are all those Bengal fans that thought Chad’s behavior on the field was OK..we kept hearing “it’s part of the entertainment”? Well guess what! I think its entertaining as h*ll watching the Been-Gals waste draft picks on wide receivers because Chad the Entertainer is threatening to sit out this year. What’s even more entertaining is the Been-Gal ownership falling for Chad’s crap again! I give the Been-Gals a C- on their draft.
By Seth
April 29, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Why don’t they trade Chad Johnson to the Eagles for Lito Sheppard and the first round pick (2009) they got from Carolina? It makes their defense much better this year and gets them a pick in the top half of the first round next year, in addition to their own pick. Makes sense and helps now.
By Derrick
April 29, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
My intertest in this season is to see what the team does with the “hanging-Chad” situation. Only time will tell how this draft rates. Our individual draft-ratings have absolutely no bearing on anything.
By Gary
April 29, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Actually I think the title of this is misleading “Draft raises many questions …”. I don’t think that’s true at all. I think the Bengals did a great job of addressing the questions & solidifying the right positions. I just wish we had drafted a returner with speed & elusiveness; otherwise, they did great. I’ll cut them some slack on Shirley, even though I disagree.
By Gary
April 29, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Chick, Elder alumni brother, I agree with Stone & others, whatever’s going on with you & the Bengals “Let it go” or move on. It’s interfering with your work. That said, as the days move on I’m feeling better & better about the draft. I think the Bengals did a great job of drafting. Although I think Rubin, Iowa Sate, or Hayden, Wisconsin, were similar but safer picks than Shirley. Although I know Hayden isn’t as big. The needs were addressed in substantial ways.
By Dave last brain cell
April 29, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
Dave: “Does anyone think there is a line of talented players waiting to come to Cincy? Sometimes you have to select who you know you can sign.”
Congrats to Dave!, that could be the dumbest thing I’ve ever read!
By BengalMatt
April 29, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
I rate the Bengals a B. The second round was questionable at best. Everybody just says trade up and get Ellis. Stop sounding like Browns Fans. If there was a trade up, it should have been for Dorsey at that price. To trade up for two stops is too risky. The linebacker is a need and the third round pick was great value. DT’s are quite a risk, see Big Daddy Wilkenson.
The late pick of DB from App State will be good. I live in Fort Myers and he will be a contributor on special teams.
By Kevin
April 29, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
Rick - you say another questionable draft for the Bengals? Hmmm. The Bengals have been one of the best drafting teams in terms of players still in the NFL over the last 6-7 years.
Define questionable. We got a D in 2001 after the draft, then 4 of our picks made pro bowls. Yeah.. D grade was given to the draft that produced TJ, Chad, Rudi, and Justin Smith.
Trust the FO. They do just fine drafting players, talent wise. Let’s just hope they don’t get involved on off field incidents.
By HalM
April 29, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
HEY DDN: Please reverse the order of the comments!!
I thought the draft was OK, considering Ellis was already gone before they could get him.
By Stone
April 29, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Chickster, or is it “d**kstir”? Either way, have you thought about covering chess? Or maybe tennis or bowling? Because your attitude sucks. You are a typical bandwagon fan. Go cover something else where people actually care what you think.
By AC
April 29, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Chick - If you hate the Bengals so much go cover the Browns… real Bengals fans are sick of your negativity & sarcasm
By dave
April 29, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Does anyone think there is a line of talented players waiting to come to Cincy? Sometimes you have to select who you know you can sign. As far as the draft goes, the chance of finding a great player is so remote, I find it funny that the fans expect a 180 from a team with a couple of 22 year olds who haven’t taken one NFL snap. As long as we have a weak coach we will continue to have a weak team!
By tony
April 29, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
this draft and season better turn out for the bengals,or expect a lot of people to be fired
By David
April 29, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Lowell Fultz, you know nothing about football. No, they’re not a laughing stock, sorry. Evidence? A recent division title in ‘05, 1 game away from the playoffs in ‘06, and only 1 losing season in the past 5 years. Check your facts, sir.
By jeffl
April 29, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
Overall I grade the draft as a c+ maybe b-.
But my comment is for Mr. Ludwig. I really don’t care for a writer covering a team that has a attitude problem. For the last six months, nothing but cutting remarks. Calling them smug, arrorant and lost is NOT what I want a beat writer to believe or write. I realize you can’t be a “house boy” but I want someone who likes and enjoys covering a team …maybe you can switch to UD football.
By DJ
April 29, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
Talk about revisionist history! Chad destroying the team for the past 4 years? How did the best receiver statistically in the NFL for the last four years and perhaps the hardest worker in practice and in the film room destroy the Bengals? Because he got a couple of penalties and fines for celebrating too much after TDs? Let’s not get carried away. What Chad has done and is doing this off season is pathetic. But what he did the 4 years prior was awesome.
By Mark
April 29, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
With all due respect, how exactly could signing Kevin Hoyng be anything but a waste of his time and theirs? Maybe Cleveland thinks it needs a safety bad enough to try to turn a QB from a non-scholarship program into an NFL player, but that notwithstanding, what’s the point? The Bengals have enough to do defensively with the new coaches and personnel without expending energy on guys with zero chance to make it
By Robert Young
April 29, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Chick you just lost a lot of cred w/ the last question. In an attempt to be cute and funny the entity that is being smug is you. Maybe the question should be why did no team draft Kevin Hoyng? Why not leave being an a*s to Marvin during his weekly presser?
By William
April 29, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
I think the draft was so-so. A glaring need at the defensive front was not answered.
By Lowell Fultz
April 29, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
Mr Ludwig, you sound surprised !! “Puzzling” personnel decisions by Mike Brown and Co ? Absolutely nothing new. Despite a minor resurgence in the early Marvin Lewis years, the Bengals are still among the laughing stocks of the NFL.
And Chad Johnson destroying the team ?!? What do you think he’s been doing for the last 4 years ? It would bring me much joy to not watch him play this year, except for the fact that ESPN will have a microphone and a camera on him 24X7.
By Rick
April 29, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
I can only hope that the Bengals picks turn out to be solid contributors!? On paper it doesn’t look so good… another questionable draft for the cats!