The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Thursday that they have re-signed defensive tackle Ryan Sims. Terms were not disclosed.
Sims, who originally entered the NFL as a first-round selection (sixth overall) by Kansas City in the 2002 NFL Draft, joined the Buccaneers in an offseason trade prior to the 2007 season. Sims has played in 24 games with two starts for Tampa Bay over the last two seasons, notching 50 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two passes defensed and one forced fumble.
Over his seven-year career, Sims has appeared in 83 career games with 38 starts. He has recorded 199 career tackles, 7.5 sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery, two forced fumbles and four passes defensed.
Sims has been an important part of Tampa Bay's defensive line rotation, helping the Buccaneers to a final NFL ranking of ninth in total defense in 2008. In 2007, Sims led the defense with four tackles for loss as the Buccaneers ranked second in the NFL in total defense.