The selection of QB Chris Simms at pick number 97 ended the first day of the 2003 NFL Draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' finished the first day of the 2003 NFL Draft by selecting Texas QB Chris Simms.
Though Simms was projected as a high second-round pick in many pre-draft analyses, he was saved from slipping to the second day when the Bucs took him with the 97th overall pick, the last of the third round.
"This is a productive college quarterback," said Bucs Head Coach Jon Gruden. "He's very excited about the next step. I think he's very eager to prove to all the draft analysts that he was worthy of going higher."
The son of former New York Giant Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms, Chris started 31 games at Texas and threw 58 touchdown passes versus 31 interceptions. Completing 58.7% of his passes (235 of 396), Simms threw for 7,097 yards, including 3,207 as a senior in 2002.
The Bucs made two picks on Saturday, also picking up DE Dewayne White with the 64th pick, the final selection of the second round.
Please return shortly for more information on Simms, the newest Buccaneer. At the top of the Draft Central page, you will also find a live link to Jon Gruden's press conference regarding the pick.
