Green Bay Packers: Blake Sims is an interesting underdog

Standing on the practice field of the Green Bay Packers’ two-day rookie minicamp must have been a humbling experience for Blake Sims. The Alabama quarterback who provided mop-up duty in the 2013 National Championship game before setting the Crimson Tide’s passing record in 2014 was one of 25 tryout players vying for two spots on the Green Bay Packers’ 90-man roster. Now left fighting for his next opportunity, Sims’ best shot at wearing an NFL jersey may be a change of positions.

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Step one of his journey has not gone as planned, as Sims left Green Bay on Monday without a contract to audition for the Washington Redskins at tailback. According to Weston Hodkiewicz of Packers News, however, the Packers have not closed the door on bringing Sims back for their one remaining roster spot after the signing of Central Michigan offensive lineman Andy Phillips. “He’s instinctive, has a bounce in his step. I thought he did some nice things today”, coach McCarthy said of Sims following the minicamp.

At 5’11” at 218 pounds with thick upper legs, the likeliest transition for Sims would be to running back. Sims began his Alabama career as a tailback in 2011, seeing action in five games before moving into a reserve quarterback role the next season. His quick feet within the pocket and running vision outside of it may translate well, and his 4.57-second 40-yard dash should qualify as enough.

During Alabama’s Pro Day, however, Sims did his best to establish his quarterbacking value before showcasing his versatility. Sims completed all 50 of his passing attempts, then lined up at running back and slot receiver to run routes. Some had floated the possibility of a shift to cornerback prior to the draft, much like former Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall who has now moved to that position with Jacksonville, but Green Bay’s roster construction suggests to me that running back would be the logical shift.

The usual suspects of Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams have been joined by Ty Montgomery, and the bottom of this position group should be filled by either Jeff Janis, Jared Abbrederis or one of the busload of undrafted receivers signed by the Packers. Green Bay has yet to hone in on third-string and practise squad options at tailback, though, so Sims should find himself in a backfield position. The qestion is: which one?

Blake Sims the quarterback:

In his final season with the Crimson Tide, Sims set a school record with 3,487 yards passing, completing 64.5% of his throws for 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Unfortunately, Sims falls victim to the dreaded label of “too small” from many scouts, but in a league filled with physical anomalies at every position, I feel it is more important to go past this blanket term.

Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Blake Sims (6) during the fourth quarter in the 2015 Sugar Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Sims does have the arm to push the football down the field, and I wouldn’t group him in with the classic Alabama “game manager” quarterbacks, another scouting term pet-peeve of mine. The Crimson Tide ran a pro-style offense under Nick Saban and Lane Kiffin, too, meaning that Sims should not fall victim to many of the stumbling blocks experienced by spread or option quarterbacks. He would certainly not feel out of place in the Green Bay Packers’ offense.

While this looks fantastic on the surface, Sims went undrafted for more reasons than the measuring stick. He benefitted from a strong running game, quality offensive line and a heavy dose of play action to freeze defenders in coverage. Drew Brees and Russell Wilson should teach us that smaller throwers can still succeed, but it is Blake Sims’ coverage reads and mechanics that worry me.

Whereas a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers can work the football sideline-to-sideline with a flick of the wrist for the Green Bay Packers, Sims often needs to put his entire body into passes of 25 yards or more. Not only does this partially slow his release, but having so many moving parts in his throwing motion creates more potential flaws in his mechanics.

The verdict:

My greedy side whispers “Why not both?”, but I would love to see Blake Sims surprise us all and make the Green Bay Packers practise squad as a true quarterback. Scott Tolzien and Brett Hundley should provide the 53-man depth with Matt Rotheram as an unlikely dark horse, but a year working under head coach Mike McCarthy would allow for Green Bay to see just how far his quarterback skills can go within their scheme.

If Sims should fail to show the necessary growth as a passer, which I will admit is entirely likely, then the Green Bay Packers would have the benefit of a full season on the practise squad to hone his skills at running back or slot receiver.

Now, keep in mind that this all hinges on the unlikely circumstance of Sims first being signed to the 90-man roster, let alone performing through July and August. The odds are stacked heavily against the former Alabama star who once stood atop the mountain of college football, but Sims is a quality young man well worth rooting for. His first hurdle has yet to be cleared and his future may not be under center, but Sims has the long-term potential to be a valuable team member towards the bottom of a 53-man NFL roster.

Next: Green Bay Packers 2015 NFL Draft grades

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