Jerome Simpson

[membengal]

For what it's worth, I was at the game, sitting top of the stadium 40 yard line. I can't speak to the fumbles, you all probably saw those better on TV, but I am guessing they were both "effort" plays, and it is hard for me to get mad at him for that. But what is interesting perhaps, is that Simpson was abusing his guy all day. I had a good view of the field, and he was open, a lot. He looked good from a route running standpoint.

He was also the last person off the field pre-game, getting in extra work with Carson.

I have no idea if he can ever be a "#1" receiver, but he sure belongs on an NFL field. I still don't get why he didn't play more for this team before now.

[jjakq27]

Simpson will correct the fumbling issue. That is simply inexperience.

As for others not getting a chance, how about Chase Coffman? looked solid out there to me. Gresham and Coffman give the team solid TE's for some years to come.

Just looking back on the decisions from the end of last year to now, it should be no surprise they could not maintain their upswing.

Injuries (17 players on IR, including the leading WR, key nickel and dime backs, our Pro Bowl level placekicker, and a rash of important role players)

Poor personnel decisions (Antonio Bryant, not playing Dunlap, not playing Simpson, permitting Chad to twitter his way off the team)

Inexcusable coaching decisions (Tampa debacle, unprepared against NE, ATL, PIT and NO)

Carson's regression - simply no way to excuse or look past the abysmal play of Carson Palmer. His errors and poor play are perhaps the biggest contributor to losses for the team. His pick 6's broke the back of this team time and time again. Bad decsions matched to a bad scheme. Adding TO, Shipley and Gresham did not net wins.

Drastic change in Offensive scheme. From the personnel on the O-line (Smith for Roland, Livings for Mathis) upset the chemistry that produced a very effective run game the year before. Forcing an unnecessary vertical game where it was not needed blew up in their face. Brat overcooked the playbook and it came out still born.

All this equals 4-12. See ya Marv, see ya Carson, see ya Chad.

Very well said. Perfect summary.

[BengalszoneBilly]

See ya Marv, see ya Carson, see ya Chad.

I have no problem seeing these three kicking rocks out of town.

[HairOnFire]

Simpson will correct the fumbling issue. That is simply inexperience.

And a lack of playing time. Think about how long it's been since Simpson has played competitively in games. Endless practice is all well and good but it's not the same thing and any player will loose situational awareness if kept out of the action for too long. Still, despite the fumbles, one of which was unforced, the playmaking ability is obvious and he was actually open more often than he was targeted, especially on crossing routes.

As for others not getting a chance, how about Chase Coffman? looked solid out there to me. Gresham and Coffman give the team solid TE's for some years to come.

Not much of a sample size but I was impressed, and this is coming from someone who has never uttered a kind word about Coffman before. Things could get interesting next season, and fresher, if the next coaching staff adopts an offensive attack that doesn't emphasize the WR position as much, ala New England. FWIW Jaworski and others have speculated the Patriots scheme will be imitated by nearly everyone next year.

Inexcusable coaching decisions (Tampa debacle, unprepared against NE, ATL, PIT and NO)

I was already pissed for other reasons but I just read a rumor about Palmer throwing the last pass away because Lewis and Company thought it was 3rd down, not 4th. I won't say more because so far it's just a rumor, but IMHO they shouldn't have been in that position in the first place. With 33 seconds left they were in perfect position to take four chances at the endzone. Instead, they threw short, then spiked the ball to kill the clock.

Carson's regression - simply no way to excuse or look past the abysmal play of Carson Palmer.

I won't offer excuses or claim he hasn't regressed. All I'll say is I believe he's shown enough that this team needs to try repairing the damage done to Palmer by hiring new coaches.

Drastic change in Offensive scheme. From the personnel on the O-line (Smith for Roland, Livings for Mathis) upset the chemistry that produced a very effective run game the year before. Forcing an unnecessary vertical game where it was not needed blew up in their face. Brat overcooked the playbook and it came out still born.

This is exactly where I'd make changes in the hope that not only would it result in a far better team, but a better version of Palmer.

[Sea Ray]

Still, despite the fumbles, one of which was unforced, the playmaking ability is obvious and he was actually open more often than he was targeted, especially on crossing routes.

You noticed that too? In particular I recall a play where Carson forces the ball to Caldwell on the sideline (incomplete) while Simpson is wide open running towards the same sideline, with room for him to catch it and turn up field.

Carson is not "seeing the field" as well as he once did. He's locking onto receivers like a rookie. Maybe I'm giving him too much of a pass but I blame coaching for letting him get to that point

Watch film on Carson, 2010. How often does he look more than one direction?

[HairOnFire]

Still, despite the fumbles, one of which was unforced, the playmaking ability is obvious and he was actually open more often than he was targeted, especially on crossing routes.

You noticed that too?

It's hard to miss, especially when the action is shown from the endzone camera view. I'm guessing it's even more obvious from the stands. And FWIW it isn't anything new or something related to Simpson. Too often, whether the pass is intended for Owens, Chad, or Simpson, the ball on crossing patterns is late coming out.

Carson is not "seeing the field" as well as he once did. He's locking onto receivers like a rookie. Maybe I'm giving him too much of a pass but I blame coaching for letting him get to that point

I agree, and it's the very reason I want to see if his career can be salvaged by changing coaches. He's proven what he can do in the past and IMHO he's proven there's absolutely nothing wrong with his arm. The problem rests with his wetware, the scheme he's asked to play in, and playcalling. Fix the latter and see if the former doesn't improve.