If the Bucs were to release a depth chart today — and the team will not until at the end of training camp — Simms likely would be at the bottom of it along with rookie Zac Taylor out of the University of Nebraska.

Simms, 26, said he intended to climb back to the top. But for him to recapture starter status at what many consider to be the premier position in professional sports won't be easy.

Simms still has some physical obstacles to overcome, not to mention the presence of veteran Jeff Garcia ahead of him.

Even Bruce Gradkowski, who posted a 3-7 record last season as a rookie starter, and Luke McCown, who did not play at all last season, received more snaps during yesterday's practice at Raymond James Stadium.

Simms did not receive any.

Tomorrow, the Buccaneers will break for five weeks. They will reconvene July 26, reporting for training camp, to be held at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista.

"Physically, I feel really good," Simms said. "I'm not quite throwing the ball the way I'd like to. My timing and rhythm is off a little bit. That's why I'm looking to this next month we have off. It's a time I can focus on myself and get the things I'm kind of lacking back in order."

Simms said he had no problem with competing to get his job back.

"The competition is always on," Simms said. "It's not any different than any other year that I've been here.

"You need good quarterbacks. You need at least two good ones. Guys are going to get hurt every year."

Simms knows. On Sept. 24, he almost led the Bucs to a comeback victory against the Carolina Panthers. But the Bucs lost 26-24, and Simms lost his spleen, an injury that cost him the rest of the season.

Before the injury, Simms suffered from something else: poor play.

In his three starts, Simms threw seven interceptions and just one touchdown pass. Simms completed 58 of 106 passes for 585 yards, and the Bucs were 0-3.

Bucs coach Jon Gruden said Simms would have to earn his way to the top of the depth chart. He has so far only named Garcia the starter. He has not yet designated a second-string quarterback.

"Again, he's coming off a serious injury," Gruden said of Simms. "We want to take a look at Jeff Garcia. He's getting the brunt of the work right now.

"And Gradkowski's performing well. He's a rookie quarterback who started 10 games, and in my experience those guys do get better, and he clearly is.

"But Chris's reps will increase when he earns it, when he gets back physically and when he starts moving our football team."

Simms said he did not anticipate having a "fear factor" of getting hurt again once he returns to full-contact competition.

"It hasn't crossed my mind one time," Simms said. "It's like I tell people, 'I can't hurt my spleen again.' So, it's just one less thing I have to worry about.

"Injuries are going to happen. Mine was a freak accident kind of thing."

By training camp, Simms said, he hopes to be 100 percent.

"Right now, I'm not having as much fun as I should be because my mind's kind of ahead of my body right now. I'm having fun, but I expect to be having more fun when July comes around.

"Every time I come to a camp, I feel a little bit closer and a little bit closer. So I fully expect to be at the same level when July ... comes around."

Garcia's place as the official starter does not bother Simms, he said.

"Not really," Simms said. "At the same time, I don't put a whole lot of stock into it, I really don't. It's June. We'll see what happens when the preseason comes around.