The sky's the limit....

[HairOnFire]

» Catch of the day: In the red zone, wide receiver Jerome Simpsonhttp://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif stretching out in a dive to the sidelines to pluck a ball from Palmer. Palmer says Simpson, with his one career catch, has improved more since the end of last season until now than he has during his two previous seasons.

"The one thing you want to see Jerome do is make plays consistently," Palmer said. "He's consistently made plays every practice. If he can keep doing that from now until training camp and from training camp into the preseason and from the preseason into the regular season, the sky's the limit for him."

The 6-2, 195-pound Simpson is gamely battling to shed the label of second-round bust. He possesses tremendous athleticism, leaping ability and fairly sticky hands. But he has frustrated the coaches with his inability to hone his skills with technique. Bratkowski says it's not so much assignment error, but the imprecision of his routes that "fools the quarterback."

"He's got a little more confidence in himself," Bratkowski said. "Sometimes he reverts to old habits, but he has made a lot of nice, spectacular plays. He just needs to keep being in a position where he doesn't fool the quarterback. He isn't quite the same he should be every time, but he's gotten a lot better at that.

"The assignments (have) not been the (big) issue," Bratkowski said. "It's just been consistent. Running the same route the same way every time. Don't fool the quarterback. Either getting the depths wrong on it, being way short, or way deep on a route. Or an extra move in the top (of the route) that we don't teach. He's kind of clearing those things out of him and it's leading to a little more consistency."

Palmer thinks the fact he's taking the X reps in place of The Ocho has given Simpson more confidence because "he's not standing and watching somebody else do it. He's doing it himself."

[NJ29]

Obviously I'm not at practice every day, and I don't communicate with the players, but in the few clips I've seen, Simpson does look improved (although I'm not getting too optimistic), and I am not at all impressed with Matt Jones. He is certainly a slow-twitch athlete, regardless of his 40 time.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Yeah...not a good sign that even in the puff piece, they're still saying that his big problem is f*cking up routes. Seriously, how dumb is this guy he hasn't figured out the damn playbook yet?

I'm not impressed by him making great plays half the time if he blows routes leading to INTs the other half.

[jjakq27]

**cough** DeSean Jackson **cough**

[Trevor]

He knows the playbook it seems,.. But he'll end up in different spots of the field... You'd think he could clean that up after two years... But other than that i hate to say it cuz it means im wrong but this guy is beasting in workouts... Looks like chad out there a little bit

...a LITTLE bit..,

[BengalPimp]

Yeah...not a good sign that even in the puff piece, they're still saying that his big problem is f*cking up routes. Seriously, how dumb is this guy he hasn't figured out the damn playbook yet?

Jerome deserves some of the blame, but part of the blame also HAS TO go to WR Coach Mike Sheppard. They drafted Simpson as a project out of a small school, and in 2+ years it seems that Sheppard hasn't done sh*t with him......I mean, your ONLY freakin job is to coach the 6 WR's on the roster....THAT'S IT !!!! ....... Man, I miss Hue Jackson.

[jonahdsage]

Yeah...not a good sign that even in the puff piece, they're still saying that his big problem is f*cking up routes. Seriously, how dumb is this guy he hasn't figured out the damn playbook yet?

Jerome deserves some of the blame, but part of the blame also HAS TO go to WR Coach Mike Sheppard. They drafted Simpson as a project out of a small school, and in 2+ years it seems that Sheppard hasn't done sh*t with him......I mean, your ONLY freakin job is to coach the 6 WR's on the roster....THAT'S IT !!!! ....... Man, I miss Hue Jackson.

it seems like it's not knowing the routes but his inconsistency in running them. Like he knows where to go but is inconsistent in how he gets there. I feel like in an earlier article matt jones or someone said how carson is so precise and consistent, puts it where it's supposed to be every time. I can see it getting frustrated if Jerome runs the same route at 5, 7 and 9 yard depths. And I want to thank Hobson for saying "fool the quarterback" 8 times in three sentences. Good grief is that guy awful.

[HairOnFire]

Jerome deserves some of the blame, but part of the blame also HAS TO go to WR Coach Mike Sheppard.

Unlike most Bengal fans, I don't blame Jerome Simpson one bit. In fact, I consider him to be a victim of circumstances, and I'm still pulling hard for him.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Jerome deserves some of the blame, but part of the blame also HAS TO go to WR Coach Mike Sheppard.

Unlike most Bengal fans, I don't blame Jerome Simpson one bit. In fact, I consider him to be a victim of circumstances, and I'm still pulling hard for him.

So he and Caldwell get drafted in the same year. Somehow Caldwell knows how to run his routes, right?

I suppose if there's any argument to be made, it would be that Caldwell wasn't looking at the same learning curve since he was a major-college guy. Of course, that raises the question of whether Simpson was a 2nd round ability, but that's old news.

Certainly I have to blame the coaches for not being able to train the guy up. But if the stories are to be believed, and this guy can't get his routes at consistent depths...I mean, isn't that something that gets you benched in high school? Seems to me that this is a guy who was able to use his athleticism to beat I-AA defenders, but doesn't know how to be a WR.

I'm pulling for him too, because we need to see some ability out of these high picks they keep burning on projects.

[Sea Ray]

Practice is one thing but in the end it's how he executes under game conditions that'll determine whether he makes this team or not. I hope he gets lots of playing time in the Bengals' 5 pre season games. If he gets dinged and can't play it could doom him. He has a lot to prove on the field.

I can't say I blame his circumstances. He's had a lot of opportunities to show what he's got with all the turnover in the WR corps. I do agree that Shepard has not shown us that he can coach

[HairOnFire]

So he and Caldwell get drafted in the same year. Somehow Caldwell knows how to run his routes, right?

Right. Because every pre-draft scouting report detailed how Caldwell was far more ready to play than most WR available, including Simpson...who was consistently described as physically gifted but raw.

Of course, that raises the question of whether Simpson was a 2nd round ability, but that's old news.

Just because it's old news doesn't make it any less true. Furthermore, if Simpson wasn't worthy of a 2nd round selection then who should be blamed, the player himself, or the persons charged with making the pick?

Certainly I have to blame the coaches for not being able to train the guy up. But if the stories are to be believed, and this guy can't get his routes at consistent depths...I mean, isn't that something that gets you benched in high school?

Not in high school, not in college, and sometimes not in the pros. It all depends on how much your scheme is timing based. And there's the rub because the Bengals run a Clockwork Orange passing scheme almost totally based on timing....which was a given when Simpson was selected.

I'm pulling for him too, because we need to see some ability out of these high picks they keep burning on projects.

Yeah, imagine that. Yet most Bengal fans seem to have written Simpson off just when his first realistic opportunity for playing time might be at hand...all because of a two-year old story about Carson Palmer complaining about Simpson not knowing a play he called in practice.

[NJ29]

I know that he's caught a lot of flak for the route running, and how he hasn't picked it up yet, but I don't think that's necessarily as simple as it seems. I've coached high school wide receivers before (obviously far less complex) and for kids who haven't ran routes before, even if they're phenomenal athlete's it sometimes takes them three years to really run every route in a route tree effectively. That's not just knowing the routes, but that's running the routes, attacking defenders' techniques, and getting in and out of cuts quickly. That's all just high school, the pro adjustments are clearly faaaar more difficult. When you take a guy who relied almost solely on athleticism previously, and expect him to take in an entire playbook of different routes, and pick up all the intricacies and situational adjustments to them, it's gonna take a long time. It's a similar transition to what Coffman is going through in my opinion.

[bwillycuse]

I was thinking Simpsons first real chance at playing was last year after Henry got hurt.(Maybe it was a little later not sure) But Purify was called up instead even though Henry and Simpson are very similar athletes.

Every indication we as fans have gotten is that Simpson is a hell of an athlete yet he doesn't have a full grasp on the routes he runs and old bad habits keep showing up. Maybe he is a victim of circumstance and would have done better on a team with no WR depth, but I assume he would still have the same bad habits. But repitition fixes those things. So who knows.

But in the Bengals case, he doesnt have much time or roster space left. If they keep 7 wr then he is safe IMO but 6 then become hairy.

At this point it has been a fairly wasted pick. But I am an optimist and hope he picks it up. There is always a place for a tall receiver with huge hands and good speed. (Matt Jones looked very awkward in the OTA yesterday as well)

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Yeah, imagine that. Yet most Bengal fans seem to have written Simpson off just when his first realistic opportunity for playing time might be at hand...all because of a two-year old story about Carson Palmer complaining about Simpson not knowing a play he called in practice.

A lot more than a two year old story, actually. You've also got his inability to find the field despite a pretty sorry receiving corps. Says quite a bit. Then we have the current story which indicates that he's still having the same old problems to a degree.

I think "written off" would be strong. After all, that's what this camp/preseason is for. But I think we're all pretty much expecting for him to be "written off" during roster cuts if he doesn't show some serious ability. And with the newfound logjam at WR, he better bring it.

[HairOnFire]

I was thinking Simpsons first real chance at playing was last year after Henry got hurt.(Maybe it was a little later not sure) But Purify was called up instead even though Henry and Simpson are very similar athletes.

Everyone remembers how Palmer pimped Purify, but the Bengals coaches said the decision was based upon which player provided the most help on special teams. Left unsaid, Purify neatly fills the role of gunnner....Simpson doesn't.

In short, I don't think the decision to call up Purify instead of Simpson meant very much then, and I'm dead certain it means even less now that Palmer is boasting about the light finally coming on for Simpson.

[HoosierCat]

I mean, your ONLY freakin job is to coach the 6 WR's on the roster.

Well, if he coached on any one of 31 other teams, that might be true. But remember, Mikey & Co. go their own way.

[Kazkal]

I mean, your ONLY freakin job is to coach the 6 WR's on the roster.

Well He's also a scout,a butler and at night a superhero!

[BengalPimp]

Fellow Bengalszoners......I have consulted with a world renown psychic....that's Right ! The Magic 8 Ball....In regards to what 2010 holds for Jerome Simpson.

It went something like this:

BengalPimp: Will Jerome Simpson make the 2010 Bengals roster?

Magic 8 Ball: Signs Point to Yes

BP: Will he make a significant contribution?

M 8 B: Reply Hazy, Try Again

BP: Will he make some plays that make you say "Wow"?

M 8 B: Outlook Good

BP: Will he sometimes have you screaming "WTF" at your Television?

M 8 B: It Is Certain

BP: What about Ochocinco?

M 8 B: Concentrate and Ask Again

BP: Sorry about that, will Ocho be traded

M 8 B: My sources say no

BP: Will Ochocinco have another Pro Bowl type season

M 8 B: You May Rely On It

*Note: Magic 8-Ball is intended for entertainment purposes only. Magic 8-Ball Inc or BengalPimp are not to be held responsible for any actual predictions.

[Trevor]

Fellow Bengalszoners......I have consulted with a world renown psychic....that's Right ! The Magic 8 Ball....In regards to what 2010 holds for Jerome Simpson.

It went something like this:

BengalPimp: Will Jerome Simpson make the 2010 Bengals roster?

Magic 8 Ball: Signs Point to Yes

BP: Will he make a significant contribution?

M 8 B: Reply Hazy, Try Again

BP: Will he make some plays that make you say "Wow"?

M 8 B: Outlook Good

BP: Will he sometimes have you screaming "WTF" at your Television?

M 8 B: It Is Certain

BP: What about Ochocinco?

M 8 B: Concentrate and Ask Again

BP: Sorry about that, will Ocho be traded

M 8 B: My sources say no

BP: Will Ochocinco have another Pro Bowl type season

M 8 B: You May Rely On It

*Note: Magic 8-Ball is intended for entertainment purposes only. Magic 8-Ball Inc or BengalPimp are not to be held responsible for any actual predictions.

I agree with all of that!

[walzav29]

I think they are trying to make it look like Chad has to come in and compete.

[ArmyBengal]

I think they are trying to make it look like Chad has to come in and compete.

That statement strikes me in a couple of ways...

#1. I think Chad DOES have to come in and compete.

#2. I think it's sad that he apparently doesn't.

Says alot when thinking about it.

[HairOnFire]

I think they are trying to make it look like Chad has to come in and compete.

I'm guessing it's far more simple than that. I'm guessing we're seeing the inevitable reaction to Chad's absence. And regardless of how you feel about his actions, including whether you care or not, everyone adjusts to Chad's annual choice to skip all team functions that aren't mandatory.

It's no surprise the focus switches to the players who are there, from newcomers like Matt Jones and Antonio Bryant getting their first looks in stripes...to guys like Jerome Simpson finally getting his audition.

As for Chad himself, he knows he doesn't have to compete for his starting job, and he acts accordingly.

And if his actions make him a bad teammate, and they do, then the same can be said of dozens of other NFL players, including Lord Farve.

[Trevor]

I think they are trying to make it look like Chad has to come in and compete.

I'm guessing it's far more simple than that. I'm guessing we're seeing the inevitable reaction to Chad's absence. And regardless of how you feel about his actions, including whether you care or not, everyone adjusts to Chad's annual choice to skip all team functions that aren't mandatory.

It's no surprise the focus switches to the players who are there, from newcomers like Matt Jones and Antonio Bryant getting their first looks in stripes...to guys like Jerome Simpson finally getting his audition.

As for Chad himself, he knows he doesn't have to compete for his starting job, and he acts accordingly.

And if his actions make him a bad teammate, and they do, then the same can be said of dozens of other NFL players, including Lord Farve.

All hail Lord Favre!!! hah

[derekshank]

I watched the most recent OTA highlights video, and the second half focused mostly on the WRs. I know it's hard to really gain much of an opinion from how limited the material available is... but what the hell? It's the end of May, and I'm bored as hell.

I couldn't believe how much Simpson reminds me of Chad. The way he comes off the line, the way he catches, the way adjusts his body to poorly thrown balls. For the first time, I was impressed. In fact, if they had given him a jersey that had #85 on it, I not only would have thought it was him, but I would have been impressed with how ready Chad seemed.

I thought Bryant looked really good. Much quicker and sharp than I expected him to be - and good hands.

Shipley looks very natural out there. Incredibly fluid in his route running, and very quick in changing direction.

Matt Jones looked like a big clumsy oaf out there compared to the rest of the group. Very slow off the line, very slow getting up to speed... ridiculously slow when trying to change direction. The only thing he has going for him is that he's big.

Purify has little to no chance of making the team unless the injury bug hits hard.