I know its weird to spotlight a player on the opposing team, but bare with me, it relates to the Bucs I promise....
Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press relays Lions LB Ernie Sims ambition to be as good, if not better than legendary Bucs LB Derrick Brooks. When former Bucs Coach Rob Marinelli joined the Detroit Lions, the first thing he did was send a video tape over to young LB Ernie Sims..... the tape was a highlight reel of some of Tampa Bay Bucs LB Derrick Brooks biggest hits collection. The message rang loud and clear to LB Ernie Sims:
"He sent me one clip of Derrick Brooks knocking somebody out his first year," Sims said. "And ever since then, that's what he's said he expected out of me."
It would be foolish of you not to watch Sims on Sunday and see what type of gamer he is and can become. Like many other air breathing earthlings, Ernie describes his adoration for Poppa Brooks:
"I looked up to him a lot," Sims said. "For one, he played at Florida State and he's accomplished a lot of things that I would be more than happy to accomplish in my career. I think he's a great player, a great linebacker. I've been looking up to him, his style of play, for years now."
I feel like Ernie came and went in terms of his time playing for my Florida State Seminoles. He was a speedy and devastating hitter at Florida State. I'm really looking forward to tomorrows slugfest at Ford Field. Ernie doesn't become a Free Agent for some time, but he hinted to wanting to play for the Bucs with Derrick Brooks:
"I've been watching him for all this long, I kind of wish I could play right beside him," Sims said. "But I know it's not going to be possible. I will definitely be watching on the sideline."
That just about wraps up our Gameday Spotlight of Detroit Lions players ..... I will say, years ago I attended a Lions-Bucs game in RJ (we won, thanks to a Keyshawn game winning TD), Lions WR and KR Todd Lyght actually talked to me and a buddy in the stands, which was weird but cool