"The Young and the Spleen-less"...

   "All My Quarterbacks"...

   "One Spleen to Give" ..

   Yes, the Chris Simms-Jon Gruden Soap Opera is ready for primetime.

   Actually, I have no problem with the Buccaneers keeping Chris Simms on the roster.

   They may need him.

   If Jon Gruden were truly set at quarterback ..he wouldn't have Garcia, Griese, McCown, Johnson and Simms on the roster.  Remember, Gruden acquired Garcia and Jake Plummer within days of each other.

   If there's anything you can count on this NFL season, several starting quarterbacks will miss significant time with injuries.  We've seen first hand how one quarterback injury can become two and before you know it, quarterbacks that were given token time in training camp are asked to win games.

  But if you have a quarterback on the roster -- use him.  None of this being on the outside looking in.  It eats up roster spots and eventually cap room.  And, quite honestly, Simms deserves better. 

  Simms proved, when healthy, he can play.  The Bucs dropped Brian Griese because Simms led them to an NFC South title in 2005.

  If Brodie Croyle, Tavaris Jackson, Kyle Orton and Cleo Lemon are getting opportunities, shouldn't Simms?

  If the Bucs need to showcase him in training camp to add to his trade value -- go for it.    Then again, I've yet to see anything from Griese, McCown and Johnson to suggest that they deserve jobs without competition.

  If Simms is not in the plans, the Bucs should do whatever to get the best trade they can. 

  If Simms is taking up a roster spot, he should be given the same opportunities as every other player.

  Anything less means the Bucs have an agenda other than winning games.

  Al Keck