RIVER FALLS, WIS. — Three years ago, the Kansas City Chiefs had high expectations for defensive tackle Ryan Sims when they made him the No. 6 pick in the NFL draft.
But he held out for a month before arriving at training camp in 2002, broke his elbow halfway through the season and has been anything but the impact player the Chiefs had envisioned.
Now in his fourth year, Sims is showing signs of turning things around.
In the first play of a scrimmage Monday afternoon, Sims lined up between Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann and guard John Welbourn, who tried to double-team him. But Sims blasted through them and headed for quarterback Trent Green, who threw the ball away.
"Ryan, good job, good job," defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham barked.
Such compliments don't seem to come Sims' way very often. He played well in spurts in 2003 but slipped late in the season, and last year he played in 15 games - starting in 13 - but had only 13 solo tackles and two sacks. Many experts have rated him as a bust.
Chiefs coaches have noticed a change in Sims this camp, which coach Dick Vermeil said had been Sims' best.
"He's always had good work habits, but his offseason was the most disciplined that he's had in terms of self-discipline and getting ready to play," Vermeil said. "I'm pleased with him."
But in three years - a maximum of 48 games - Sims has played in only 37 games and started just 31.
Though he has been a disappointment so far, Vermeil believes Sims still can become a dominant player.
"I don't know how long it takes to be what you have the ability to be," Vermeil said.
"We kind of believe the consensus is three years, so it's time. It's time for him to be what we thought he was going to be. He's had some snaps over the years that sort of demonstrated his sixth pick in the draft abilities. There's been a number of snaps on the practice field that have demonstrated that, too."
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