ALAMEDA - Could Barry Sims do it again?
Sims joined the Raiders as an undrafted rookie in 1999. The team drafted tackle Matt Stinchcomb in the first round the same year. A year earlier, the Raiders drafted tackle Mo Collins in the first round.
By 2001, Sims was the regular left tackle and not Stinchcomb, whose career was stalled by injuries. Collins proved to be a better guard than tackle.
So the Raiders tried again, taking Robert Gallery second overall in the 2004 draft. But Sims beat him out at left tackle.
Sims was moved to guard last year without competing at left tackle. With competition back in vogue, Sims is playing left tackle and Gallery was at left guard today at practice.
If Sims wins the job - and there's plenty of time to lose it - it would speak highly of his competitive nature and desire. A lot of veterans concede their jobs with high draft choices waiting in the wings.
Sims seems to use that as motivation to keep his job and prove a high pick doesn't guarantee big-time results.
Sims hasn't been to the Pro Bowl and might always be remembered as one of the guys getting worked over in the Super Bowl by Tampa Bay.
But until someone takes the job from him, he could be the Raiders' left tackle again. It's a job he won't give up without a fight.
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