Is there really a place for a simplified Java web framework, when there's plenty of options that run atop the JVM with full access to JVM libs? (Grails, ColdFusion + several MVC frameworks, etc)
EDIT: BTW, I think your question actually answers itself. That is, the reason there is such a proliferation of MVC frameworks is that they largely have been found lacking, so someone sets out to create another (presumably simpler) one. Simplification is almost always the motivation.
Likewise with Grails and others that run atop the JVM (which frequently even encourage adoption of completely different languages).
All of these are testament to the dearth of a clean, simple, elegant Java web framework.
