Much competition lies in the wide receiver room for the Washington Redskins, but head coach Jay Gruden really likes Cam Sims. The second-year target from the University of Alabama has earned the respect of his teammates and the coaching staff.
After displaying stellar work in preseason, Sims was ready to explode as an undrafted free agent in his first game – until an injury ended his rookie year. He has worked hard to get back and according to Gruden, he sees the Louisiana native taking full “advantage” of opportunities.
“We had high hopes for him coming out of training camp,” Gruden said on last week, in discussing Sims to the local reporters. “He’s big, strong, physical, plays with a great motor and passion and unfortunately, he had an injury after one play in the game.”
Sims is back healthy and one of the first things coaches saw to start training camp were his strong hands on various routes. His ability to contort his body, create separation – regardless of his size – and haul in passes with ease are things one cannot teach.
.@Silkysims17 found the ball #SkinsCamp pic.twitter.com/YRYmdIaqqn
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) July 27, 2019
“He’s got a skill set coaches look for,” Gruden said of Sims. “Height, weight, speed and toughness… He’s got them all.”
While the Redskins are excited about its defense, whomever lines up at quarterback has a hungry, big body receiver in Sims to grow with.
A former four-star, he played for the Crimson Tide from 2014 to 2017. Injuries to his knee and shoulder limited him from becoming a game-changing target; however, he still managed to produce decent numbers.
Sims had 467 yards receiving with two touchdowns on 41 catches in his career.
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He was a member of two College Football Playoff National Championship teams (2015, 2017) and his biggest contribution came on the latter one. The 6-foot-5, 214-pounder totaled 14 receptions for 207 yards and one score in 2017.
He averaged 14.8 yards per catch and was fully healthy for the first time since his freshman season.
In my conversations with Sims at Alabama, he always talked about getting better, making improvements and finding ways to produce.
This fall belongs to him and he’s going after it.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
