Pat Sims - Pro Football Rumors

Bengals To Re-Sign DT Pat Sims

November 21st, 2017 at 11:32am CST by Zachary Links

Pat Sims is back, and Bengals fans didn’t even get a chance to really miss him. After waiving Sims on Saturday, the Bengals are set to re-sign the defensive tackle, according to Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer. It is expected that defensive tackle Josh Tupou will be released to make room.

Sims was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Broncos with a calf injury, which perhaps explains the team’s crafty move to drop him and then add him again days later. In theory, the Bengals could have lost the 31-year-old to waivers since even vested veterans go on the wire after the trading deadline, but he went unclaimed in the 24-hour window. It is believed that Sims will be ready to go against the Browns this week, Owczarski hears.

Sims has made seven starts for the Bengals this season, but it will be interesting to see how he is used upon his return. Against Denver, second-year player Andrew Billings played 52% of the defensive tackle snaps against the Broncos. Meanwhile, the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus indicate that Sims has been among the worst interior defenders in the league.

Bengals Waive DT Pat Sims

November 18th, 2017 at 12:26pm CST by Ben Levine

Pat Sims‘ tenure with the Bengals has come to an end. Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports (via Twitter) that the team has waived the injured defensive tackle. Sims had missed the past two weeks with a calf injury. To take his spot on the roster, the Bengals have promoted linebacker Hardy Nickerson Jr. from the practice squad.

Sims, a 2008 third-round pick, spent the first five seasons of his career in Cincinnati before a brief two-year stint with the Raiders. He rejoined the Bengals prior to the 2015 season, with the team valuing his ability to defend against the run. He signed another two-year contract with the organization prior to the 2016 season, and he proceeded to play in all 16 games that season. Sims had appeared in eight games (seven starts) for the Bengals in 2017, compiling 19 tackles. However, Pro Football Focus has been critical of his play this season, ranking him 107th among 112 interior defender candidates. With the veteran now out of the picture, the Bengals will turn to Ryan Glasgow, Andrew Billings, or Josh Tupou to start alongside Geno Atkins.

The son of former Pro Bowler Hardy Nickerson, Nickerson Jr. joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois. The 23-year-old has split the 2017 season between the active roster and the practice squad, compiling a pair of tackles in seven games. He’ll join Carl Lawson, Jordan Evans, and Vincent Rey as the team’s reserve linebackers.

AFC Contract Details: Okung, Penn, Pacman

March 18th, 2016 at 5:34pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are several of the latest contract details on deals which were agreed upon or signed within the last week. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated.

AFC West:

Russell Okung, T (Broncos): Five years, $53MM. No guaranteed money. Option after year one. $2MM base salary, $1MM workout bonus, and $2MM Week 1 roster bonus for 2016. Up to $3MM in incentives available in 2016 ($1.5MM for 80% of snaps, $3MM for 90% of snaps). Option must be exercised between fifth day after Super Bowl and first day of 2017 league year. If option is exercised, $2MM salary for 2017 and $9.5MM salary for 2018 become fully guaranteed, and an $8MM roster bonus is paid out (links via Pro Football Talk, ESPN’s Josina Anderson, Tom Pelissero of USA Today, and Wilson)
Donald Penn, T (Raiders): Two years, $11.9MM, $5.5MM guaranteed. $2MM roster bonus due 20th day of 2016 league year. $300K in annual weigh bonuses (six weigh-ins worth $50K each). Up to $750K in annual playing-time, Pro Bowl, and playoff incentives (Twitter links).
Andre Holmes, WR (Raiders): One year, $2MM. $750K guaranteed. $500K signing bonus. $250K of $1.25MM base salary guaranteed. $250K workout bonus. Up to $1MM in catch, yardage incentives (Twitter links).

AFC North:

Adam Jones, CB (Bengals): Three years, $22MM. $6MM guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus. $4MM roster bonus due March 18. $500K in annual per-game active roster bonuses. $500K playing-time escalator for 2017. $750K playing-time escalator for 2018. $200K punt return average incentive for 2018. 2018 option to be exercised by last day of 2017 league year. (Twitter links).
Demario Davis, LB (Browns): Two years, $8MM. $4.1MM guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus. Annual $100K workout bonus (Twitter link).
Ryan Harris, T (Steelers): Two years, $3.9MM. $675K signing bonus (Twitter link).
Pat Sims, DT (Bengals): Two years, $2.3MM. $250K guaranteed roster bonus due March 18. $200K in annual playing-time incentives. $200K playing-time escalator for 2017 (Twitter links via Wilson and Pelissero).

AFC East:

Andre Branch, DE (Dolphins): One year, $2.75MM. $2.5MM guaranteed base salary. $250K in per-game active roster bonuses. Up to $250K in incentives (Twitter link).
Nate Ebner, S (Patriots): Two years, $2.4MM. $500K guaranteed. $125K in annual per-game roster bonuses. $250K first-day camp reporting bonus. Up to $500K in playing-time, Pro Bowl incentives (Twitter links via Wilson and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com).
Frank Kearse, DT (Patriots): One year, minimum salary benefit. $30K signing bonus. $30K first-day camp reporting bonus. $20K in per-game active roster bonuses (Twitter link).
Robert Blanton, S (Bills): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus (Twitter link via Pelissero).

AFC South:

Antwon Blake, CB (Titans): One year, $1.5MM. $200K signing bonus. Up to $750K in playing-time incentives (Twitter link).

Bengals Re-Sign Pat Sims

March 16th, 2016 at 9:27am CST by Luke Adams

9:27am: Sims will get a two-year contract from the Bengals, according to Coley Harvey of ESPN.com, who observes (via Twitter) that it’s the defensive lineman’s first multiyear deal since his rookie contract.

8:44am: The Bengals have re-signed defensive tackle Pat Sims, the team announced today (via Twitter). Terms of the agreement aren’t yet known, but Sims is coming off a one-year deal with Cincinnati, so another short-term pact seems likely.

Having started his NFL career with the Bengals in 2008 after the team drafted him in the third round, Sims spent his first five seasons in Cincinnati before joining the Raiders in 2013. After two seasons in Oakland, the 30-year-old returned to the Bengals for the 2015 campaign.

In 2015, Sims appeared in just 179 defensive snaps, playing a rotational role up front and recording 16 tackles in his eight games. Paul Dehner of the Cincinnati Enquirer tweets that it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Sims’ role expand a little this season — the Bengals still have Geno Atkins and Domata Peko at defensive tackle, but Wallace Gilberry and Brandon Thompson are free agents.

The Bengals have made an effort to re-sign their own defensive free agents this month, bringing back defensive backs Adam Jones and George Iloka, as well as linebacker Vincent Rey, on new deals. Gilberry, Thompson, safety Reggie Nelson, cornerback Leon Hall, and linebacker Emmanuel Lamur are among the team’s defensive free agents who remain unsigned or have left for new teams.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC Mailbags: Jets, Chiefs, Raiders, Bengals

April 25th, 2015 at 12:36pm CST by Ben Levine

We took a look at ESPN.com’s NFC mailbags earlier this morning. Let’s now shift our focus to the AFC…

Rich Cimini wouldn’t be in favor of the Jets sacrificing a future first-rounder to secure Marcus Mariota at the second pick. However, the writer would be in favor of swapping the team’s first and third rounder to switch spots with Washington.
The Chiefs would presented with a “dilemma” if running back Todd Gurley is available at pick number-eighteen, says Adam Teicher. Gurley would certainly be the best player available at that point in the draft, but the team already has a stud running back in Jamaal Charles.
Meanwhile, among players who could “reasonably be available” for the Chiefs first pick, Teicher points to Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson, Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat, Florida State center Cameron Erving and USC wideout Nelson Agholor could be potential targets.
Bill Williamson suggests the Raiders could target a guard in the middle rounds to pair with Gabe Jackson, sending Khalif Barnes to more of a reserve role.
Following the additions of Pat Sims and Michael Johnson, Coley Harvey has been told that the Bengals have no open spots on the defensive line. However, the writer believes the team could still pursue a rookie lineman if they could get good value at the draft spot.

Bengals Sign Pat Sims

March 26th, 2015 at 2:54pm CST by Luke Adams

2:54pm: It’s a one-year, minimum salary benefit deal for Sims, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer (via Twitter).

2:03pm: After spending two seasons with the Raiders, veteran defensive tackle Pat Sims is returning to the team with which he spent the first five years of his NFL career. The Bengals announced today (via Twitter) that they’ve brought back Sims, officially signing him to a new contract.

Sims, 29, was selected by the third round of the 2008 draft by the Bengals, and played 60 regular season contests for the team during his first five years in the league. The big defensive lineman left for Oakland after the 2012 season, and spent the last two seasons with the Raiders, starting 18 of the 32 games he played for the club. With seven career sacks, Sims doesn’t get to the quarterback too often, but he’s very solid against the run.

By re-signing Sims, the Bengals have brought back one of their former defensive players for the third time so far this offseason. The team also re-signed defensive end Michael Johnson and cornerback Brandon Ghee, former Cincinnati draftees who played elsewhere in 2014.

Raiders Re-Sign Pat Sims

April 1st, 2014 at 10:12am CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 10:12am: Sims’ one-year deal, which includes a $250K signing bonus, has a base value of $1.45MM and can be worth up to $2MM, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com.

FRIDAY, 2:41pm: Free agent defensive lineman Pat Sims is returning to Oakland, according to agent Rick Smith, who announced (via Twitter) that Sims has signed a one-year deal with the Raiders.

Sims, 28, visited with the Titans earlier this month, but it seems he didn’t draw as much interest as he may have anticipated following his first season as a full-time starter. As the Raiders’ nose tackle, Sims recorded 53 tackles and a pair of sacks, and scored well in Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics as well (subscription required). The former third-round pick ranked 17th out of 69 qualified defensive tackles, grading especially well against the run.

When he returns to the Raiders for the 2014 season, Sims will be joining a revamped Oakland front seven that also features free agent signees LaMarr Woodley, Justin Tuck, and Antonio Smith.

FA Rumors: Steve Smith, Andre Brown, Hatcher

March 13th, 2014 at 8:28am CST by Luke Adams

The Ravens will be in hot pursuit of Steve Smith when he’s officially released by the Panthers, and a deal could end up materializing quickly, says Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Here’s more:

It sounds like there’s a decent chance free agent running back Andre Brown could end up signing with the Raiders, continuing the offseason’s apparent free agent swap between Oakland and the Giants, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
Assuming Jason Hatcher doesn’t sign with the Raiders, the defensive lineman will visit the Redskins, a source tells John Keim of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Cornerback Brandon Browner will visit with the Redskins tonight, according to Pro Football Talk (Twitter link).
The Panthers have interest in bringing back free agent receiver Brandon LaFell, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Although fullback Henry Hynoski is visiting the Lions today, he has remained in contact with the Giants, tweets Rapoport.
ESPN’s Josina Anderson (Twitter links) has the details on the Titans‘ upcoming free agent visits: LaMarr Woodley intends to visit Friday if he doesn’t sign with the Raiders, while Pat Sims and Antonio Smith will visit today.
The Vikings have made a call inquiring on free agent guard Daryn Colledge, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. Colledge, who will visit the Rams today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), was recently cut loose by the Cardinals for cap savings.