WWW- from the NY daily News: Bucs quarterback Chris Simms, the son of former Giant Phil Simms, had his spleen removed in emergency surgery last night at a Tampa hospital after taking some hard hits to the ribs in the Bucs’ 26-24 loss to the Panthers.

There was no indication exactly when during the game the injury to his spleen occurred. The Bucs are not saying how long he will be out. One source said last night the recovery time is typically 6-8 weeks, but added that the Bucs may not want to rush Simms back so soon from surgery. Considering Tampa is 0-3 and sixth-round draft choice Bruce Gradkowski is No. 2 on the depth chart and not likely to win many games, they may decide not to take any chances with the fourth-year pro. He should be able to return next season.

Phil Simms was in Pittsburgh yesterday to work the Bengals-Steelers game for CBS. He flew home to Newark Airport, and when he arrived, he was brought up to date on Chris’ condition. Reached on his cell phone, he said he was awaiting further information. He stayed at the airport until he caught a flight to Tampa last night.

Simms’ mother, Diana, said from the family’s New Jersey home last night that she will fly to Tampa today.

“Chris Simms suffered an injury to his spleen during today’s game and was taken to the hospital,” Dr. Joe Diaco, the Bucs’ team physician, said in a statement. “He underwent a splenectomy this evening and is in stable condition. Chris is doing well and we anticipate a full recovery.”

Simms’ spleen ruptured and he needed a blood transfusion. It raises the question of when Simms was hurt and how long he played with a ruptured spleen. One reason to remove the spleen is to control internal bleeding.

Simms was hit hard several times by the Panthers. He pulled himself from the game and went to the locker room late in the third quarter, suffering from what the Bucs initially believed were dehydration and cramps – it was a very hot and humid day in Tampa. He went to the ground on one knee before walking to the locker room, where he was given IV fluids.

Simms, 26, missed just two offensive plays and returned to lead the Bucs to a go-ahead field goal, which the defense could not protect – Carolina’s John Kasay hit a 46-yard field goal with two seconds remaining. Simms walked off the field under his own power. He completed 13 of 24 passes for 139 yards.

Simms was being treated by the Bucs’ medical staff after the game before he was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital, just a couple of blocks from Raymond James Stadium. “He got hit early and he hurt his ribs,” Bucs coach Jon Gruden said in his postgame press conference shortly after the game. “He played tough and he showed a lot of grit. He really did. It is a credit to him. He made some big plays when we needed him. He is hurting right now, there is no question. He left the game. I don’t know that it was because of his ribs, dehydration or both.”

The spleen is an organ located in the upper left side of the abdomen, storing blood and breaking down old blood cells to help the body fight infections. Many people live healthy, productive lives without it.

In 15 career regular-season starts, Simms is 7-8. He also lost his only playoff start last year.

In other spleen news, at least half the Adultfyi’ers were handed theirs in a weekend that featuring loads of close games- another NY Giants comeback- this time to no avail, and the very strong realization that the New England Pats are no longer the dominant team they used to be. With a Monday night game featuring the Atlanta Falcons going against the New Orleans Saints, Mike Dickinson currently has sole possession of first with a 33-12 record. Dickinson also had the weekend’s best record at 11-2 along with Sandy Bunz, www.sandybunz.com.

There’s currently a tie for second among five players all of whom have 32-13 records. This includes Gene Ross, Steve Seidman, Sean from www.pornlegends.com, Ryan from Jerry’s Deli and Dan Davis from Genesis Magazine.