Latest news with #Simms'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Baltimore Sun Hall of Fame 2025: Stuart O. ‘Stu' Simms, lawyer and leader
How do you get difficult things done? Stuart O. 'Stu' Simms has a theory on that. The onetime Baltimore state's attorney, former secretary to two Cabinet-level state agencies and partner at Brown, Goldstein & Levy boils it down to this: It's about getting the right people in the room. Oh, that doesn't mean it's going to be easy or fast. You can expect a lot of different ideas and personalities. But if you can get people who know their stuff, who genuinely seek to solve problems and not promote personal agendas, the 74-year-old Harvard Law-trained lawyer says, the resulting conversation can put you on the right road. An example? Years ago, Baltimore Police regularly had big backlogs of arrestees. The legal community wondered: Why not locate a court to review bails next to the jail? Some people in the judiciary balked. But thanks to Simms and others advocating for that reform, eventually it happened —and it helped. 'You have to come to the table and be open to some solutions,' Simms says. And that is a philosophy that has guided his career. Simms, now retired, may be remembered as one of the most successful — and perhaps most low-key — leaders in public safety that Maryland has seen over the past 40 years. Colleagues say his quiet competence commands respect. University of Baltimore President Kurt Schmoke, who chose Simms as his deputy when he was Baltimore state's attorney, traces it back to Simms' days on the gridiron. The Harlem Park native was a fullback and star at Gilman School and then Dartmouth College, where he started three years and helped lead the school to three straight Ivy League football championships. 'He was willing to take those tough jobs like running back,' recalls Schmoke, himself a former star quarterback at Baltimore City College in the same mid-1960s era. 'In his professional life, he demonstrated the same kind of determination as he did as a distinguished athlete in high school and the college level.' But Simms' outlook wasn't just forged on the playing field; it was also shaped by his turbulent times: the late 1960s and the Civil Rights Movement as Black men and women sought to redefine their place in this country. It would have been easy for the son of a steelworker father and public schoolteacher mother to question authority. But he also found inspiration during his senior year at Dartmouth: While on a fellowship in Atlanta, he was introduced to Maynard Jackson, the lawyer and civil rights leader who in 1974 would become the city's first Black mayor. He ended up working for him for almost a year. 'It was a life-changing experience to work with him,' Simms recalls. He considered postponing law school; Jackson told him not to wait. He was needed on the playing field of public service and the law. He was needed to be a change-maker. After Harvard Law, the U.S. Department of Justice eventually beckoned. Simms spent four years there as a prosecutor, gaining trial and investigative acumen. He recalls those days as 'challenging' but enjoyable, learning from the talented courtroom rivals who advocated for criminal defendants. Then came his days as deputy state's attorney in Baltimore, only to find himself promoted to the top job when his boss was elected mayor. Simms was elected state's attorney in 1990 and reelected in 1994. In 1995, then-Gov. Parris Glendening came calling, hiring him first to run the Department of Juvenile Services and in 1997 to serve as secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, one of state government's most challenging assignments. 'If ever I was in a foxhole fighting a war, I'd want Stu there with me,' said U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, a Baltimore Democrat who has known Simms for 45 years. 'He has a strong sense of commitment and dedication. And he has a moral compass we don't always find these days with people.' It is notable that those two agencies have been immersed in much controversy in recent years but not so when Simms was running them. Indeed, the fact that his name was rarely in the news may have worked against him when he ran a hastily arranged campaign to be Maryland attorney general in 2006 and lost the Democratic primary to Montgomery County State's Attorney Douglas F. Gansler. 'Decency. That's the word that suits Stu,' said Larry Gibson, the longtime Democratic organizer and law professor who managed his political campaigns. 'He is an intelligent, decent, productive person. Not someone who seeks limelight or has a large ego.' In more recent years, he's also someone who has been supporting many civic and professional causes, serving as chief counsel to Maryland Legal Aid and on the boards of the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Gilman and others. In 2022, he lost his beloved Candace, his wife of 49 years. They first met in high school and developed a lasting bond in college. He is a father of two and grandfather of two. His hope for the future? That others will look to do the right thing and not spend time 'thinking about the damn headlines,' as he was once told by his coach at Gilman. 'I took the job seriously,' he says. 'I wanted to do the right thing.' Peter Jensen is an editorial writer at The Baltimore Sun; he can be reached at pejensen@ Age: 74 Hometown: Baltimore Current residence: Baltimore Education: Gilman School; Dartmouth College; Harvard Law School Career highlights: Staff counsel to U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes; assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Maryland; Baltimore state's attorney; secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice and the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; partner, Brown, Goldstein & Levy; Maryland Legal Aid chief counsel Civic and charitable activities: University of Maryland School of Law advisory board; board member for Baltimore Museum of Art, president of the Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust and past board member of Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Gilman School, Sinai Hospital, St. James Episcopal Church, United Way of Central Maryland, Baltimore Community Foundation, Associated Black Charities and the Baltimore NAACP Family: Wife Candace died in 2022; two sons; two grandchildren
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Target Hovland, Jaeger bets in Memorial Tournament
Simms' '25 QB Countdown: Jared Goff Chris Simms explains to Ahmed Fareed why Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and his "fearless decision making" are in the "Scheme Dream" tier of his 2025 QB Countdown. 8:34 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
NBC Sports
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
AARON RODGERS, JARED GOFF, AND JORDAN LOVE HEADLINE EPISODE 5 OF CHRIS SIMMS' QUARTERBACK COUNTDOWN, NOW ON 'CHRIS SIMMS UNBUTTONED' AND 'PRO FOOTBALL TALK'
Simms' QB – Top 10 Countdown Begins Next Week, with QBs #10-6 Monday, June 9, and Culminates with the Top Five QBs on Tuesday, June 10; In-Depth Breakdowns for Each Ranking Weekly on Chris Simms Unbuttoned Podcast 'At the end of the year when [the Jets] were dangerous and fun to watch, [he] wasn't all that conservative. [He] was throwing lasers.'– Simms on Free Agent Aaron Rodgers 'Along with being the toughest pocket passer, also one of the most aggressive, fearless decision-makers there is in the NFL.' – Simms on Lions' Jared Goff 'He still puts fear into defensive coordinators because he's so aggressive, and he has such an easy way of throwing the ball down the field and making explosive plays that it's scary playing against him.' – Simms on Packers' Jordan Love STAMFORD, Conn. – June 4, 2025 – NBC Sports' Chris Simms continues his list of the top quarterbacks in the NFL on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and on 'PFT Live' today, headlined by four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, four-time Pro Bowler Jared Goff of the Lions, and 2020 first round pick Jordan Love of the Packers. This year's countdown features a new format, with Simms focusing on tiers and groups of quarterbacks as opposed to specific numeric rankings until the Top 10 next week. Continuing the countdown, Simms unveiled his quarterbacks ranked in the next tiers today. Simms' Top 10 QBs will be revealed next week, with QBs #10–6 Monday, June 9, and culminating with his top five on Tuesday, June 10, Simms will unveil a group of quarterbacks on each Chris Simms Unbuttoned episode and discuss his rankings on 'PFT Live' with Mike Florio. Simms, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2003 NFL Draft who played eight NFL seasons, will also offer in-depth player breakdowns and rankings explanations throughout each week on Chris Simms Unbuttoned. Simms has had success in projecting college quarterbacks – including naming Jayden Daniels, who was named AP's 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year following a season that saw him lead the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship Game, as his No. 2 QB prospect in 2024. Additionally, Simms named C.J. Stroud, who was named AP's 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, as his top QB prospect in 2023, Patrick Mahomes as his most exciting prospect in 2017, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as his top-two QBs in 2018, and Justin Herbert as his No. 2 QB in 2020. The rankings will continue Monday, June 9, on the next episode of Chris Simms Unbuttoned. The following are highlights from this week's edition of Chris Simms Unbuttoned: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers 'Brock Purdy still does a lot of those things really well, but just not as good as he did the two years before. I think there was a lot of things at play here. One, the positives are he tinkered with his motion. His arms and everything weren't nearly as floppy. The delivery was a little quicker. I like that aspect of him. I saw maybe more power throws than two years before when we know they went to the Super Bowl and NFC Championship Game. Throws down the middle, in-cuts where you say, 'Man, that's a nice throw right there.' But the area where it did take a step back is running the [49ers head coach Kyle] Shanahan scheme perfectly.' Aaron Rodgers, Free Agent 'Aaron Rodgers' decision-making is still pretty good. It's a hair conservative. That's the only problem. But at the end of the year when [the Jets] were dangerous and fun to watch, it wasn't all that conservative. Rodgers was throwing lasers around the field. He's not just checking it down and throwing two-yard routes. He's throwing howitzers and bombs and that was what's cool. That is where I was really encouraged with watching Rodgers. I don't think he is going to ruin the locker room.' Jared Goff, Detroit Lions 'Arguably the toughest pocket passer in the NFL. That would be my number one thing. Along with being the toughest pocket passer, also one of the most aggressive, fearless decision-makers there is in the NFL too. That's why I love watching Jared Goff. I don't sit there and wax poetically and go, 'Oh, look at his release. Oh, look at that rifle spiral.' He doesn't throw spirals all the time, that's not what it is, it is not always sexy that way. But you can't deny the results. But, the aggressive nature came back to bite him in the butt a little bit in the playoff [loss to Washington in the NFC Divisional Round].' Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals 'Still one of the most dynamic, physically gifted quarterbacks in the game. He is still one of the quarterbacks that is able to pull off any play. It's not just about the run game either, it's about throwing the football too. Things are on the up. There are certainly parts of his game he can still get better at and there are parts of his game that I saw him get better at. Murray can do it all and he can play the position true to form. He has become a better decision-maker. He has become better going through reads in the pocket, but the biggest issue there is his in-the-pocket play. He leaves the pocket too early and looks at the rush too soon.' Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers 'It wasn't as good last year, but there's still big-time, game-changing talent here with Jordan Love. He still puts fear into defensive coordinators because he's so aggressive, and he has such an easy way of throwing the ball down the field and making explosive plays that it's scary playing against him. He's also a guy - I've even heard defensive coaches say this—he's scary because he looks for the big play a lot. He might have a chance to take a five-yard gain, but he'll sit there and go, 'No, I'm about to see the 25- or 30-yarder coming open, so I'm going to wait for it. This is the coverage that's there.' He's great at that, and that scares people.' To listen to the full player breakdowns on Chris Simms Unbuttoned, click here. -NBC SPORTS-
NBC Sports
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
ANTHONY RICHARDSON, JOE FLACCO, AND JAMEIS WINSTON LEAD OFF CHRIS SIMMS' TOP QUARTERBACK COUNTDOWN, NOW ON 'CHRIS SIMMS UNBUTTONED' AND 'PRO FOOTBALL TALK'
Simms' Top QB Countdown Kicks Off Today with First Three Tiers and Culminates with the Top Five QBs on Monday, June 9; In-Depth Breakdowns for Each Ranking Weekly on Chris Simms Unbuttoned Podcast 'This is going to be a huge offseason for him. His down the field throwing is by far the best thing he does…but he's got to grow and be more mature as a leader with the franchise.' – Simms on Colts' Richardson 'We know his arm is super talented. If you watch his highlights, you'll go, 'Is this one of the best players in football?' But if you watch his lowlights, you'll go, 'Is he still in the NFL?'' – Simms on New York Giants' Winston 'I think he is a guy that could see a resurrection to his career like Sam Darnold did by going to San Francisco if the opportunity arises to where he gets to play.' – Simms on 49ers' Mac Jones STAMFORD, Conn. – May 19, 2025 – Over the course of the next month, NBC Sports' Chris Simms will unveil his list of the top quarterbacks in the NFL on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and on 'PFT Live.' Highlighting Simms' initial rankings are 2023 first round pick Anthony Richardson of the Colts, Joe Flacco of the Browns, and Jameis Winston of the Giants. This year's countdown will feature a new format, with Simms focusing on tiers and groups of quarterbacks as opposed to specific numeric rankings until the later rounds. Beginning the countdown, Simms unveiled his quarterbacks ranked in the first three tiers today, with QBs in the 'Wow or Whoa?', 'Backup Supremes,' and 'Caretakers' tiers. Beginning today and culminating Monday, June 19 with his top five quarterbacks, Simms will unveil a group of quarterbacks on each Chris Simms Unbuttoned episode and discuss his rankings on 'PFT Live' with Mike Florio. Simms, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2003 NFL Draft who played eight NFL seasons, will also offer in-depth player breakdowns and rankings explanations throughout each week on Chris Simms Unbuttoned. Simms has had success in projecting college quarterbacks – including naming Jayden Daniels, who was named AP's 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year following a season that saw him lead the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship Game, as his No. 2 QB prospect in 2024. Additionally, Simms named C.J. Stroud, who was named AP's 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, as his top QB prospect in 2023, Patrick Mahomes as his most exciting prospect in 2017, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as his top-two QBs in 2018, and Justin Herbert as his No. 2 QB in 2020. The rankings will continue this Wednesday, May 21, on the next episode of Chris Simms Unbuttoned. The following are highlights from this week's edition of Chris Simms Unbuttoned: Wow or Whoa? Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts 'This is going to be a huge offseason for him. Can he become a more polished passer? His down the field throwing is by far the best thing he does…but when it's a 5-yard or an 8-yard or a 10-yard throw, it's less than 50% whether he'll hit you or not. They're bad misses, too, and the mechanics are different every time he does it…He's got to grow and be more mature as a leader with the franchise.' Backup Supremes Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns 'Do I really have to say it with Joe Flacco? We know he can go 12-12 for 280 yards and you can go, 'Look at that arm!' And then the next twelve dropbacks, you can go, 'He fumbled three times, he threw three interceptions, and three more of those should've been intercepted.' There's some real greatness, but some real inconsistencies in how he plays the game.' Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers 'He still has untapped potential and is going up in a big way. There's a reason Jordan Love kept rushing back from injury…Another guy who can make some 'wow' throws and runs, but he just doesn't do it all consistent yet. But it's all going in the right direction, you saw that last year. It got better every time he went in the game. That was a great trade by Green Bay.' Jameis Winston, New York Giants 'We know his arm is super talented. If you watch his highlights, you'll go, 'Is this one of the best players in football?' But if you watch his lowlights, you'll go, 'Is he still in the NFL?' You just don't trust him game after game to take care of the football. But he can have some games where you'll go, 'You're a backup quarterback and we're playing a good team today, we can run the whole offense and we might be able to win it with you.'' Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders 'He throws the ball well, but every throw is the same throw. He has no side arm, no arm angles…his throwing, over time, gets exposed for not being 'next level' to be a starter, but he comes in as backup and can run the offense and make some plays. He can rip off a 50-yard run and throw it 60 for a touchdown.' Caretakers Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers 'I'm still not giving up on Mac Jones. A lot of the things we said about [49ers QB] Brock Purdy hold true to Mac Jones if he was in a situation with [49ers head coach] Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers. You'd go, 'He looks pretty good.' I think he is a guy that could see a resurrection to his career like Sam Darnold did by going to San Francisco if the opportunity arises to where he gets to play…So that's where I still look at Mac Jones, I don't think he's as physically talented as Sam Darnold, but Mac Jones' ability to read defenses, take on a lot of offense a little bit like Brock Purdy, and feel like being a step ahead of the defense is elite starter type of stuff.' Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers 'The best quarterback to mentor a young quarterback out of this group? Andy Dalton, as we see, has got no ego and he's going to be willing to do that. And we're seeing him do that with Bryce Young.' Jarrett Stidham, Denver Broncos 'Jarett Stidham, to me, is still a guy that I look at at times where I go, 'Man, the way he throws the ball and all that is a tick better than the rest of this group.' But it's, again, experience and will he get that chance to play? I don't know. I doubt it sitting behind [Broncos starting QB] Bo Nix.' Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets 'Tyrod's been around a lot. He's been around a lot of great quarterbacks, different systems. He is a total pro. There's a reason teams sign him year after year to be the backup. And there's more physical ability there than people realize, too. He's another guy I'd want in a two-minute drill.' Gardner Minshew, Kansas City Chiefs 'I would trust him the most [out of this tier] with the ball in their hand late in the game. Experience, accuracy…You need somebody that you can just go, 'Hey, he's going to drop back, he's going to see the field the right way, and he's going to make the appropriate throw.' I think all of them can do that. But, Gardner Minshew, out of the ones I said, can maybe do the most backyard type of stuff in that situation.' To listen to the full player breakdowns on Chris Simms Unbuttoned, click here. -NBC SPORTS-
NBC Sports
24-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Chris Simms' 2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings: The top QBs, WRs, RBs, and more
Chris Simms reveals his rankings for the top QBs in the 2025 NFL Draft class and breaks them into different tiers, from Cam Ward to Shedeur Sanders and more. The 2025 NFL Draft takes place on Thursday, April 24 and runs through Saturday, April 26. Before the big day, Chris Simms will be giving a detailed analysis on the top prospects by position on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned. The excitement is building as Simms unveils his highly anticipated list of the top 5 quarterback prospects and wide receivers, plus a few honorable mentions! Want to know who made the cut? Check out the list below, and don't forget to check back for all the latest updates! Don't forget to subscribe to Chris Simms Unbuttoned for more on the 2025 NFL season as well as an unfiltered look at the NFL, featuring player access, unabashed opinion, X&O film breakdown and stories from a life in and around football. Michael David Smith, Chris Simms' 2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Simms' 2025 NFL Quarterback Rankings: Tier 1: 1) Cam Ward (Miami) Tier 2: 2) Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) 3) Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) Tier 3: 4) Kyle McCord (Syracuse) 5) Quinn Ewers (Texas) Honorable Mentions: Tyler Shough (Louisville) Jalen Milroe (Alabama) Dillon Gabriel (Oregon) Riley Leonard (Notre Dame) Graham Mertz (Florida) Simms' '25 Draft Rankings -Top five QB prospects: Simms' 2025 Wide Receiver Draft Rankings: Tier 1 - 'NFL-Ready Baller': 1) WR Travis Hunter (Colorado) What Simms said: 'He is definitely the top receiver in the draft. He's an elite receiver…He can be a star and lead the NFL in receptions. He's got everything. He knows how to run the route, when to change the speed, where to sit in the zone. You see on the defensive side of the ball, he's phenomenal and tough as hell…His ability to change directions is special. He could be one of the greatest route runners in football. He's not a guy who's going to take it 80 yards to the house, but there's a lot of 40 and-50…The chances are greater for him at wide receiver than cornerback. (Jets WR) Garrett Wilson, (Eagles WR) DeVonta Smith – he's that kind of player.' Tier 2 - 'Day 1 Difference-Makers": 2) WR Kyle Williams (Washington State) What Simms said: 'Travis Hunter is the only guy you can say is a better route runner than him, and I'm not even sure if that's true. That's how good this guy is. He has the quickest feet in the draft. On top of that, he can really accelerate. He plays bigger than his size, he's smooth, and runs easy…There's no doubt that after the catch, [he and Hunter] are the best in the draft. I think he's a first-round pick. The modern-day NFL fits this kind of player right now. This is (Packers WR) Jayden Reed except he has way more physical ability.' 3) WR Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) What Simms said: 'He's similar to (Falcons WR) Drake London – great route runner, unbelievable wingspan, incredible hands, and actually has more YAC [yards after catch] ability than London. This kid has some of the best hands I've ever seen in my life…He's always open, even when he's covered. There's value in that. When he catches the ball on the move, watch out, because he can cover ground. I think he has more pure speed than I gave him credit for when I watched him.' 4) WR Jaylin Noel (Iowa State) What Simms said: 'He's along the lines of Travis Hunter and Kyle Williams. He's almost built like a running back, or a (Bears WR) DJ Moore or (former NFL WR) Steve Smith…He has suddenness and twitchiness that really rivals anyone in the draft. He's a slot receiver but he's also a weapon, and because of his speed and his strength, he can play outside…He accelerates out of the break really well. I wish his hips were looser, but I look at this guy as a big-time YAC guy and because of his strength, he's a down-the-field threat.' Tier 3 - 'Big Play Upside': 5) WR Tre Harris (Ole Miss) What Simms said: 'When you're running for 70 and 80-yard touchdowns in the SEC, which is littered with NFL secondary talent, you're fast, and he does it consistently…It's not about suddenness and twitchiness, but he is a good route-runner. He does have build-up speed and when he opens up, watch out. When he gets down the field on a deep route, he has another gear to pull away. I think he's one of the best in the draft at that.' Charean Williams, Luther Burden III (Missouri) Isaiah Bond (Texas) Matthew Golden (Texas) Jaylin Lane (Virginia Tech) Follow the latest NFL news, trades, and storylines on ProFootballTalk! Josh Alper, Chris Simms analyzes Travis Hunter, sharing why the ex-Colorado star lands at No. 1 in his wide receiver rankings, citing his undeniable talent, great body language, unbelievable speed, solid hands and elite instincts.
