Jerome Simpson

[BengalPimp]

Yes, Jerome Simpson played well today and put up some good numbers.

That has led to all of the "Why haven't they played Simpson until now?" questions.

Obviously, they should have tried to get him more playing time, but let's not fool ourselves into thinking he's ready to be a starter just yet.

Coming out of college everybody knew he was raw and would take some time to develop. The fact that it has taken him almost 3 years is BOTH on the Coaching Staff, AND Jerome.

If you Really break down his play today, you'll see a ton of things he still needs to improve on. The plays he made today were made because of his athletic ability, not his fundamentals.

That may be good for 1 game, but not for a whole season.

Look at the game again. Except for that deep ball (where he was wide open), he looked very awkward out there. His routes still are messy, and looked awkward catching the ball at times. He often just extended and tried to snatch the ball with his huge mitts (pre-draft his hands were measured at 10 3/8" thats absolutely freakin huge) often grabbing at the ball one-handed. That's his athletic ability on showcase, and while it may have worked today, you cannot depend on that for an enitre season. If he TRULY works on his fundamentals this offseason, works on his timing, and Routes (He still rounds off his routes instead of making sharp, clean cuts), he would put himself (his body) in a much better position to make those catches and wouldn't have to "snatch" at the ball, or contort his body, not to mention he would get better separation from defenders.

I am in no way trying to put down Simpson, or lobbying for Ocho or T.O. i am simply stating that these are likely the things that the coaching staff has noticed, and are probably the reason why he hasn't played much. Caldwell on the other hand, has MUCH MUCH better fundamentals, he just doesn't have Simpson's athletic ability (or huge mitts).

I like Simpson, but MIKE SHEPPARD needs to go along with Brat.....I mean, Sheppard really doesn't have to coach Chad that much, T.O. either except for the playbook/terminology. He should have had plenty of time to develop a guy like Simpson, yet he really hasn't....WTF? You hear the old sayings "You can teach fundamentals, but you can't teach athletic ability" or "you can't teach speed" but apparently the Bengals cannot teach fundamentals either...or at least Sheppard can't!

MY BIG FEAR is that they will pass on a Stud WR like Green or Julio Jones in the draft...because they envision Simpson as "their guy" based on 1 game......

Then come to find out they were wrong.

....Just my take.....

P.S. I had some images, but it would not allow me to post them, it kept reading that I cannot post it error.

[HairOnFire]

I've backed Simpson harder than most, and maybe as hard as anyone, but I'm not likely to lose my head over Simpson's three game audition. For one example, I urged caution immediately after the Cleveland victory, and for yet another example I just came from the game thread where I wrote about AJ Green still being on my draft short list. Whatever happens in the finale against the Ravens, good or bad, won't prompt my head to fly from my shoulders.

IMHO Simpson simply doesn't have enough time left to prove much of anything in regards to the future. That said, what's he'd doing says plenty about his coaches and about the player/diva whose presence has kept Jerome buried on the depth chart, and none of it is positive.

FWIW my favorite Jerome play against the Chargers wasn't his 1st career TD pass OR the following TD bomb caught against broken coverage. Rather, it was the play where Simpson made a contested catch, turned upfield immediately, challenged two more defenders, and stretched for the much needed 1st down. Badass!

You know the play I'm talking about, right? And if you do you know just as well that had Chad been in that position he would have fallen short even if he tried. Which he probably wouldn't have. Far more likely, he would have caught the ball, turned to face the defenders, and after sizing them up would have looked for a soft spot to fall onto the turf.

By the same token Chad wouldn't have duplictaed my least favorite Simpson play(s) against the Chargers. Specifically, on at least two plays I thought Simpson could have been flagged for blocking in the back, but wasn't.

Call it a glass half filled if you must.

[Spor_tees]

I also don't believe Simpson is a #1 right now, or even a #2 for that matter. In the game thread I also pointed out how he has an awkward looking WR body. It's pretty obvious he has physical skills but there has to be something that we as fans can't see that has held him back.

With that said, there have been some great WRs out there that have made a career on physical ability. Randy Moss and Cris Carter come to mind.

[membengal]

Who the f**k knows if he's a #1. At the least he's useful. And no f**kin' way he shouldn't have played more. Marvin really f**ked the dog this year.

[Sea Ray]

Coming out of college everybody knew he was raw and would take some time to develop. The fact that it has taken him almost 3 years is BOTH on the Coaching Staff, AND Jerome.

If you Really break down his play today, you'll see a ton of things he still needs to improve on. The plays he made today were made because of his athletic ability, not his fundamentals.

That may be good for 1 game, but not for a whole season.

This is the very reason he should have played more. He needs game experience in order to develop. You can only learn so much on the sidelines and that "so much" was reached long before three years. After awhile it's time to put him on the field and coach him there. That we're still at that point 3 yrs later is where the coaching staff screwed up

[volcom69]

I think this next game will say alot for Simpson, he knows he can do, but the question is can he keep doing it every week. It sucks there is only 1 game left, and i hate Marvin for not putting him in earlier when the season was already over. Marvin blames himself for not putting him in, and he should!

I just love though how Jerome went to Marvin and told him he can help this team win, and i guess he was right! One thing i really love about him and Caldwell is how they block during the running game, its so awsome to know that guys will do that around here.

Im not saying Simpson is the next great Bengals WR, but i think he showed he can play this game, and play it with alot of heart. I still think they need to draft a WR, but maybe now they can wait till the second rd. I think they should trade there pick, and get as many picks as they can, and address either the DL or OL first. The OL still needs alot of help and they need to address this through the draft or free agency!

[Sea Ray]

I like WRs that block too but it's really overrated. For example yesterday Benson couldn't get out of the backfield before getting hit making it immaterial what the WRs were doing. If you can get benefit from a receiver's block then you've already broken off a pretty nice run.

Thus when I'm listing attributes I want to see in a WR, blocking is pretty well down on the list

[kingwilly]

FWIW my favorite Jerome play against the Chargers wasn't his 1st career TD pass OR the following TD bomb caught against broken coverage. Rather, it was the play where Simpson made a contested catch, turned upfield immediately, challenged two more defenders, and stretched for the much needed 1st down. Badass!

You know the play I'm talking about, right? And if you do you know just as well that had Chad been in that position he would have fallen short even if he tried. Which he probably wouldn't have. Far more likely, he would have caught the ball, turned to face the defenders, and after sizing them up would have looked for a soft spot to fall onto the turf.

By the same token Chad wouldn't have duplictaed my least favorite Simpson play(s) against the Chargers. Specifically, on at least two plays I thought Simpson could have been flagged for blocking in the back, but wasn't.

Call it a glass half filled if you must.

That play was a great example of the difference between a guy who is hungry and guys like Chad and TO. Simpson DID trun upfield, covered up the ball, put his head down and drove the defenders for the 1st. Perfect.

The other play I thought Simpson shined on was the naked boot, pressure in Carson's face and Simpson ran the short flat. He leaped for the poorly tossed pass and snagged it and then made a play to get some extra yards.

For me, it is not that I have bashed Simpson, more that I (we) had all been left only to consider two things:

1. Simpson was a busted pick, and was never going to play and would only be cut when his contract expired.

2. The coaches could not or would not give the guy a chance. Having players like Chad in front of you means you're not gonna get as many snaps but he HAD NOT PLAYED, or even been active, for ALL of his career in stripes. Coaches choose who suits up. When they were giving Caldwell a chance, and Quan, and Purify, and Shipley, yet there is skinny Jerome over there in sweats on game day, what can one say?

It is pretty cool to see a guy break out. Yes, he runs sloppy and floppy routes but his hands are velcro and Carson and he looked on the same page except for once. If anything, this should force opposing defenses have to account for where he is and what he is doing.

As for the draft, they should waste no time and grab AJ Green if they can. From what I've seen, he could replace Chad. They are so similar.

Also, I have hammered Carson for two plus years, regarding his arm and his reads. That was as good a game as I have seen from him in maybe 3 or 4 years. He was ON.

Would have been nice if these guys had shown up in September...

[BengalPimp]

As for the draft, they should waste no time and grab AJ Green if they can. From what I've seen, he could replace Chad. They are so similar.

I like AJ Green, but I REALLY want to see his 40 time at the Combine. It's diffcult to find legit 40-times for players in college, but I do know that he ran a 4.5 coming out of High School. He has a long stride, so it may take him some time to get open downfield.

I also like Julio Jones, and if the Bengals do get a Top 5 pick, a competent GM (which we don't have) should be able to trade down and get additional picks. They can trade down to around 10-12 and still pick up Julio Jones, as well as maybe an additional 2nd or future 1st. Jones is a little faster than Green, but both have long strides. The plus on Jones is that he is a very tough player, runs hard and is tough to bring down....Also the dude has crazy leaping ability....See Below

Both Green and Jones are huge targets at 6'4" with Jones about 10 lbs heavier....I'd be happy with either!

[jjakq27]

Does anyone know how long Simpson's contract is for? Is it four years? If so, then he is up after next year.

Also, as temping as it would be too take a big time WR, I think history proves out that it guarantees nothing in terms of success or championships. I'd rather see them put their money in an O-lineman, a DE or even a safety or LB. As I said previously, I think WR's are icing on the cake. Pick up a WR in the 2nd or 3rd. But whatever you pick, it has to be someone that can start from day One. No projects or developmental types please.

Here are a few of the better known first round WRs since 2003. Lots of good players with a few greats but again no guarantee of a championship there.

Larry Fitzgerald

Roy Williams

Charles Rogers

Andre Johnson

Braylon Edwards

Mark Clayton

Santonio Holmes

Calvin Johnson

Ted Ginn Jr.

Darrius Hayward-Bey

Percy Harvin

Dez Bryant

[Sea Ray]

I don't know how long his contract is for but given the current rules he'd be a restricted FA requiring a 2nd rd pick so regardless the Bengals hold the cards right now

[agreen_112]

You gotta pick up AJ Green if you're the Bengals. We need to invest more into Carson.

[COB]

You gotta pick up AJ Green if you're the Bengals. We need to invest more into Carson.

"Et tu, AGreen?" - Chad

[kingwilly]

This has to be one of the most unusual, excuse-laden pieces of tripe i have ever seen posted over on the .com.

ML has never been this verbose, this explanatory. Something is up. He must be under severe pressure to answer why Simpson had not had a chance in 3 years.

Take a read: http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Hard-work/ceb2aaf4-0be4-4e44-8e16-cae42758415d

He throws in so many excuses, probably most are valid, but he is in a corner on this one. Who else has this coaching staff mis-managed? There are probably another half dozen Simpson's and Dunlap's just wasting away, behind the coaches favorites. Makes me wonder why Brandon Johnson isn't on the field more, or why guys like Livings and Geathers get so many snaps...

Who else is on this team who simply is not given the chance to win the job?

Also, and a bit off topic, but this team needs a better center. Cook got tossed around like a rag doll Sunday. They need to address that position as well.

[Sea Ray]

This has to be one of the most unusual, excuse-laden pieces of tripe i have ever seen posted over on the .com.

Yep, that's BS. Even if we accept what Lewis said, why did he put up with L. Coles subpar play week in week out? A good coach says, "hey, we're not getting the production we need out of your position so I'm going to inactivate you (Coles) and give someone else a try"

[HairOnFire]

He throws in so many excuses, probably most are valid, but he [Marvin Lewis] is in a corner on this one.

The thing that stands out isn't how many excuses are offered, but how often and quickly they shoot their own excuses down. For example, they claim Simpson didn't get any playing time until now because he only plays Chad's X-role. Then they admit he's capable of playing all three WR roles. Or immediately after saying they didn't trust him in any role they admit his playbook quiz scores are the best of any young WR on the roster.

Granted, none of us are in a position to say when Simpson should have been ready to test...only that it seems obvious it should have happened long before it finally happened. And again, I doubt any of us could safely say whether Simpson is ready for either starting job. But the idea that he wasn't ready to fill any role for this team until recently seems ridiculous. Simply put, by refusing to give Simpson any playing time at all the Bengals can't honestly claim they were developing his talents, as their excuses claim.

The only funny part of all of this? With just a few words Lewis makes clear how unhappy Mike Brown has been about the way Simpson was handled. Left unsaid is how that lack of trust led to a series of expensive veteran signings, none of which went according to plan. Funnier still, you know somewhere Chick Ludwig is nodding his head and telling everyone who'll listen that he told 'em so.

[COB]

I realize the fashion of the day is to pile on Marvin.

But having to cast Mike in the role of personnel genius, who's acumen and insight is ignored by a pig-headed Marvin Lewis so he can start his "favorites", is making my brain hurt.

Here's another way of looking at it. Mike fell in love with a workout savant, reached for him in the draft, then told Marvin to develop him. And though it took a long time due to the player's background in little league football, Marvin was a huge success at said development, as evidenced by the player's very successful debut as a starter last week.

Having said all that, one effing interception in 2008 due to a blown route and Simpson gets pined? WTF. Chad no doubt has a Bengal and maybe an NFL record for turning the wrong way to let a defender get a pick.

The more I think about it, the more I want to defend Marvin on this.

Marvin: "Chad wants traded, let's get rid of him and get a 1st round pick."

Mike: "He's an all pro, we're keeping him, and you better play him."

Marvin: "Chris Henry is a head case, don't bring him back."

Mike: "He's back and he's a great talent. Play him."

Marvin: "For God's sake, not Terrel Owens. What did I ever do to you to deserve this. Am I in a Kafka novel?"

Mike: "Yep, Terrel Owens. Carson likes him, and what Carson wants, Carson gets. You better play him."

Marvin: "Everyone's hurt. Simpson, get your ass in there."

Mike: "Jesus Christ Marvin, why didn't you make room for this magnificent talent sooner?"

[w8th]

You do know that planting listening devices is illegal...

[COB]

As for the draft, they should waste no time and grab AJ Green if they can. From what I've seen, he could replace Chad. They are so similar.

I like AJ Green, but I REALLY want to see his 40 time at the Combine. It's diffcult to find legit 40-times for players in college, but I do know that he ran a 4.5 coming out of High School. He has a long stride, so it may take him some time to get open downfield.

I also like Julio Jones, and if the Bengals do get a Top 5 pick, a competent GM (which we don't have) should be able to trade down and get additional picks. They can trade down to around 10-12 and still pick up Julio Jones, as well as maybe an additional 2nd or future 1st. Jones is a little faster than Green, but both have long strides. The plus on Jones is that he is a very tough player, runs hard and is tough to bring down....Also the dude has crazy leaping ability....See Below

Both Green and Jones are huge targets at 6'4" with Jones about 10 lbs heavier....I'd be happy with either!

Please hide the above photos from Mike Brown. If he sees them, we'll probably draft this guy with the first pick, and pick up a few o-linemen off the street. That is some serious Mike Brown eye candy there. He won't even care that two of those pictures are of Jones in high school when he played for Foley High. That sort of athletic ability does something unnatural to anyone named Brown.

[HairOnFire]

I realize the fashion of the day is to pile on Marvin.

Fashion trends change rapidly. For example, yesterdays In-Marvin-We-Trust matching pant and jacket combo now looks hopelessly out of date due to that designers preference for outdated materials, loud colors, and clown shoes.

But having to cast Mike in the role of personnel genius, who's acumen and insight is ignored by a pig-headed Marvin Lewis so he can start his "favorites", is making my brain hurt.

I doubt anyone will leap to the conclusion that Mike Brown is a personnel genius. However, it's probably just as crazy to assume that the foP is incapable of getting anything right, especially when you consider how often he's rolled the dice. Far more likely is it that Mike was the one who stood on the table for Jerome only to wonder why his coaching staff refused to play him year after year after year even though Simpson's physical gifts are obvious.

Having said all that, one effing interception in 2008 due to a blown route and Simpson gets pined? WTF. Chad no doubt has a Bengal and maybe an NFL record for turning the wrong way to let a defender get a pick.

Don't forget Owens. Or for that matter Gresham and Shipley. And there's the rub because the coaching staff admits one of the reasons they buried Simpson was due to a rookie mistake. Yet Gresham and Shipley haven't been buried despite the coaching staffs admission that each of those rookies has run bad routes that resulted in the dreaded pick six. In fact, both players have gotten so many opportunities they currently rank first and second amongst all rookie pass catchers...the result of getting major playing time from day one.

Just saying.

[Sea Ray]

Please hide the above photos from Mike Brown. If he sees them, we'll probably draft this guy with the first pick, and pick up a few o-linemen off the street. That is some serious Mike Brown eye candy there. He won't even care that two of those pictures are of Jones in high school when he played for Foley High. That sort of athletic ability does something unnatural to anyone named Brown.

Visions of David Verser dancing in his head...

[BengalPimp]

Having said all that, one effing interception in 2008 due to a blown route and Simpson gets pined? WTF. Chad no doubt has a Bengal and maybe an NFL record for turning the wrong way to let a defender get a pick.

Don't forget Owens. Or for that matter Gresham and Shipley. And there's the rub because the coaching staff admits one of the reasons they buried Simpson was due to a rookie mistake. Yet Gresham and Shipley haven't been buried despite the coaching staffs admission that each of those rookies has run bad routes that resulted in the dreaded pick six. In fact, both players have gotten so many opportunities they currently rank first and second amongst all rookie pass catchers...the result of getting major playing time from day one.

Just saying.

I get what you're saying, but I think the reason Gresham and Shipley weren't "buried" after mistakes is because Gresham was a 1st RD pick, with no other real option at the TE position, and Shipley showed a great grasp for the game and the slot position from Day 1, is very coachable, really studied the playbook and tries hard to make himself a better WR. Jerome took time to learn, but his learning (or not learning) was done in practice not on gameday, which is why I BLAME Mike Sheppard more...That sad excuse for a WR coach didn't do sh*t with Jerome in practice to make him gameday ready in 3 years!!!

Sheppard needs to go along with Brat !!!

[jjakq27]

I get what you're saying, but I think the reason Gresham and Shipley weren't "buried" after mistakes is because Gresham was a 1st RD pick, with no other real option at the TE position, and Shipley showed a great grasp for the game and the slot position from Day 1, is very coachable, really studied the playbook and tries hard to make himself a better WR. Jerome took time to learn, but his learning (or not learning) was done in practice not on gameday, which is why I BLAME Mike Sheppard more...That sad excuse for a WR coach didn't do sh*t with Jerome in practice to make him gameday ready in 3 years!!!

Sheppard needs to go along with Brat !!!

In Marvin's postgame remarks, he mentioned all of the extra work that Sheppard has done with Simpson after practice to get him prepared for game day.

I think there is/was a fundamental flaw going back to Marvin's time with the Ravens. They cycle guys through their system. I think Marvin and Co. want to do that too. Part of "biding their time" with the younger guys is that they learn how to be a pro. So I am not sure why he didn't get more of a look last year when TJ left. Maybe they didn't think that Simpson or Dunlap for that matter were doing it right. Too many contradictions on this one. Hopefully they will re-assess their evaluation process in the future and put the best guys out there. Or at least get them into the mix a little so we can see what they are capable of.

But in defense of Mike and Co.,the Steelers, who are considered personnel gurus extraordinaire by the entire universe, took Limas Sweed right after Simpson who has been a bust as well. He was hurt in 2009 and 2010 but he only had 7 receptions for 69 yards in 2008-2009.

[HairOnFire]

I get what you're saying, but I think the reason Gresham and Shipley weren't "buried" after mistakes is...

I'm not trying to criticize the playing time those guys have gotten, even though I could. Plus, I'm pretty sure I've hammered the point to ad nauseum about how ridiculous it was to assume those players would be capable of performing well enough soon enough to justify a switch to a pass happy "Error Bengal" attack.

But c'mon now...

The Bengals have repeatedly denied Simpson any role whatsoever while unwisely bringing back Chris Henry, and signing Lav Coles and Antonio Bryant to multi-year deals, moves that had they worked would have only buried Simpson even deeper or resulted in his outright release. In fact, despite their excuses, it seems obvious that when other moves are factored in the Bengals coaching staff had no plan whatsoever to play Simpson last season or this season.

Let's face it, the only reason this team has managed to win back to back games, after losing ten games in a row, is because injuries forced the coaching staff to abandon what they wanted to do in favor of what they had to do.

[TJJackson]

I laughed **hard** when I read a line from Chad today

from: http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2010/12/30/ochocinco-to-miss-ravens-game-will-not-make-trip/

Ochocinco of Simpson. “He’s really good. He can jump out of the gym. Great hands, speed. The whole nine yards. He’s a better blocker than I am times

Talk about damning with faint praise :-)

Hilarious

In a related story, I was heard to exclaim "my dead gramma is a better blocker than Chad at times"