Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell Fail to Step Up in Bengals Biggest Game
by Jason Garrison on Nov 14, 2011 12:01 PM EST
in Game Recaps
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You would think that Bengals wide receivers Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell would be at the top of their games right now considering that they are both in the middle of contract years. They've each done some good things but they've also looked bad at times too. Against the Steelers, especially after A.J. Green left the game with a knee injury, neither receiver really looked too terribly impressive.
Caldwell caught three passes for 25 yards and Simpson laid an egg, catching zero passes in a game that the Bengals needed him to play his best.
It wasn't just the lack of production that doomed the Bengals, though. Dropped passes and poor route running didn't help either. Neither Simpson nor Caldwell really did their part in helping the Bengals win and, based on the way they played yesterday, they are both working their way out of employment in Cincinnati.
Both Simpson and Caldwell each dropped a very catchable pass that could have extended the drive and even tied up the score.
In the second Bengals possession of the first quarter came the first drop. Dalton dropped back to pass on first down. Simpson, who was lined up alone wide left, ran a slant route and was open behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties. Dalton threw the pass that landed right in Simpsons gut but as Simpson was met by William Gay, he immediately dropped the pass.
The ball was placed right in Simpson stomach and seeing this picture, he's lucky it wasn't intercepted.
Caldwell's dropped pass didn't come until the third quarter when Dalton tried to throw a quick screed pass out to Caldwell in the flat. Dalton was in the shotgun alone in the backfield with four wide receivers. Caldwell came in motion from the right to the left and as he got set behind the other two receivers who were wide left, the ball was snapped. Dalton immediately threw Caldwell a catchable pass that just bounced right off the receiver's hands and rolled out of bounds.
That ball hit Caldwell right in his hands, which is apparently the worst place for a pass to hit him.
There were also mistakes when it came to route running that cost each team. On a third down and long play in the second quarter, Andy Dalton dropped back to pass. He found his target, Caldwell, who was running a deep come-back route that was angled toward the sideline beyond the first-down marker. Dalton threw a pass to the open area on the field where Caldwell should have been, but Caldwell wasn't there. He was about five feet away where he had just stopped running. I'm not sure if Caldwell didn't think the pass was coming to him or if he thought Dalton would throw it to him where he was but Dalton was visibly unhappy with what happened and it was clear that he thought Caldwell didn't do what he was supposed to do.
Caldwell cutting his route short. Had he kept running he could have caught that pass.
That was a problem throughout the game and one could make an argument that it sealed the fate of the Bengals. On the team's last drive of the game against the Steelers, a drive in which they could have forced overtime by tying the score at 24, Dalton threw an interception. The Bengals were driving down the field and found themselves on the Steelers' 25-yard line in a second-and-nine situation. Dalton took the snap and dropped back to pass. Simpson was wide right and ran a slant to the inside. Dalton threw the pass to where Simpson should have gone but Simpson just stopped and waited for it. He was even falling back a little as the pass was coming to him. That enabled William Gay to step right in front of him and intercept the pass. It may not have been the best decision by Dalton but it was a very poor effort by Simpson.
William Gay stepping right in front of Simpson, who stopped on the route.
Both Simpson and Caldwell were out performed by Andrew Hawkins, an undrafted free agent, and when Green left the game, both failed to step up and take the place of the team's No. 1 receiver. The loss can't be blamed on just two players but neither Simpson nor Caldwell helped the team win.
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Dalton
You need to start chewing there azz when the do things like this. They should have been Hyped-Up to step up but looked dazed and confused. No pun intended.
Do you know what a super man Ass Whooping is ?... Its the type of Ass Whooping you wish you could Fly away from !....
out with Simpson and Caldwell move Hawkins #2 receiver whaley #3 till shipley is ready
by bengals&buckeyenation on Nov 14, 2011 12:11 PM EST via mobile reply actions
The sky isn't falling.
But the ball is, from the hands of Simpson and Caldwell as another easy catch is dropped.
Shipley would be making such a difference on this team...I hope he's ready to play by training camp.
It’s great to see Hawkins step up. Is he smart enough to be our Z? He’d be perfect in that role.
Raiders: PLEASE LOSE OUT SO WE CAN DRAFT BLACKMON
"I slyde my boehner into sexsalad...."
Sounds like a johnu1 production. --jch24
We wouldn't draft him even if you could.
Almost no team in history has had two elite receivers at a time. You don’t need them. You need a 2nd w/o who is servicable and only ONE star receiver. You can’t afford both, and you can stir up the locker room being that WR’s are usually divas and always want the ball.
What do you do when there's no way out? Find a way to get deeper in it.
How about Dallas with Dez Bryant and Miles Austin, or Atlanta with Roddy White and Julio Jones (their AJ Green)?
There are a few teams that have 2 good receivers.
I said elite, not just good.
Same thing happens with RB’s.
What do you do when there's no way out? Find a way to get deeper in it.
by jimbasa on Nov 14, 2011 3:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'm not sure I buy any of these arguments...
The Colts seemed ok with Wayne and Harrison… The Rams seemed ok with Bruce and Holt…. The Packers seemed ok with Driver and Walker… The Cardinals seemed ok with Boldin and Fitzgerald…
Of course you don’t “need” them, but it’d be a hell of a lot harder to stop us in this system.
You CAN afford both if they’re both young and under contract on the new rookie scale. Plus our payroll is peanuts compared to most teams.
Not all WRs are divas, and not many people complain if the team is winning.
So far I am unconvinced that this is a bad idea.
"I slyde my boehner into sexsalad...."
Sounds like a johnu1 production. --jch24
We need an OG and a CB before another elite receiver my friend.
What do you do when there's no way out? Find a way to get deeper in it.
I was hoping some of this mess would go away with the new WR coach.
I guess habits are hard to break. What is it? When these two were looking like they were heading out of football, they were seeming to try harder.
Drops and stops are fatal in football. Sure, they happen but you shouldn’t be targeted 5 tames and catch zero while getting hands on all of them.
Watching the game
Simpson seemed lost at times.
by sgiridharan1982 on Nov 14, 2011 12:33 PM EST reply actions
I wonder if he still has problems understanding the playbook
by sgiridharan1982 on Nov 14, 2011 12:34 PM EST up reply actions
OR
Maybe it just a dropped chromosome from birth !!!!
by sofakingood on Nov 14, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
Get rid of Caldwell & Simpson
bench them, promote Hawkins and Whalen and bring in Chase Coffman to play his college position in the slot. Use him like the Pats do with Hernandez..he’s not a TE. Chase has probably the best hands on the team….just use him Jay.
I wad going to say bring back chase coffman he was a beast at missouri cinci just dont know how to use him! If he went to the pats or saints everybody would remember all the records he broke at mizzou
by bengals&buckeyenation on Nov 14, 2011 2:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think the same things sometimes about Shipley...
he was a beast at kick/punt returns = he must be a beast a kick/punt returns in the NFL…
It’s flawed logic for obvious reasons.
More than halfway through his 4th year, I think it's safe to call Simpson a bust
At the absolute least, it is VERY clear he can’t be a #1 receiver in this league, and when you take a guy in the top of the 2nd round that’s what you’re looking for. Bad bad draft pick. Yesterday’s game told me all I need to know about Simpson moving forward. He’s had every opportunity in the world this year to earn a new contract with us and he’s blown it. Caldwell simply isn’t that good. He’s a #4 or #5 receiver on most teams and nothing more. When you ask him to be a #2 or #3 he gets exposed. It’s not even really his fault. That’s just his skill level. I think he works really hard, according to the coaches. He’s just hit his ceiling and it isn’t that high. I wouldn’t MIND holding onto him for depth and giving Dalton a little continuity, but he can’t be relied on as a primary target. 1-2 targets a game is probably about enough. I see him in almost a Quan Cosby role.
!!!
is whalen still on our active roster?? if so, y aint he playing? He’s takin up space if he’s healthy and not playin. promote Chase, and see wat he can do.. maybe he CAN play WR on the plays we have Hawkins in the slot
by BengalNation on Nov 14, 2011 12:39 PM EST via mobile reply actions
on the 53
but you can only activate 46 and tate and hawkins have been active every game…
by Bengalsfan024 on Nov 14, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
In fairness
Jerome die have a big reception on a third down play in the forth quarter, only to have it negated by a phantom holding call on Big Whit.
Look, Simpson and Calwell certainly didn’t play their best game, but do we always have to pin the loss on one or two players and consequently run them out of town??
I’m not defending Bubba or Jerome’s lack of production, but just as all 6 Bengals wins were collective team wins, so, too, was this loss a collective team loss.
That holding call on Whit really baffled me. Negated Jerome’s first catch and a drive sustaining first down.
by The_Black_Stripes on Nov 14, 2011 12:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions
The first holding call
Whit’s arm was wrapped over and around the defender. I can see that one. The other call, holding or hands to the face… come on.
by Oregonbengalsfan on Nov 14, 2011 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
arm was wrapped over and around the defender
you can’t do that
by Oregonbengalsfan on Nov 14, 2011 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
For the Biggest game of the Year to Date
Yes we blame Simpson & Caldwell. Everyone on Offense performed except Dumb & Dumber.
by sofakingood on Nov 14, 2011 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
you can blame then for not producing
but you can’t blame them for not getting off the field on 3rd down. Put that on the Defense.
Everyone is SO quick to call for benchings and running guys out of town, i just don’t get it. Caldwell and Simpson went off the last 3 games last year, we just need more consistency (particularly from Simpson). He’s not a #1, and no one is asking him to be. but he is a decent #2 IMO and can stretch the field/open the defense if given the chance. He’s a great compliment to Green…but again he needs to be more consistent.
The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day
Ok guys enough!
Why would you run a slant into the safety?They’d been running the same play all day even I would ‘ve jumped it in that situation! You can tell it wasn’t Simpson’s fault on the last play as Dalton hits himself in the chest as my fault on that! We’re all acting like the rest of the guys were burning it up take away the TD catches and Gresham had drops Cochart had drops, yes even Big dog AJ had drops this was a team effort in the drops department!
When has Cochart had a drop?
If this were an isolated incident, I’d say that it would be unfair criticism. But Rome has had a bunch of big drops this year… very dissapointing
I don't think Simpson had a drop since like week three
and I would be willing to bet AJ had just as many drops as Simpson
AMAS
I don't know where you go to look that up
but last week, SImpson was targeted 10 times and had 3 catches. I’m not sure how you determine which were drops.
I would agree about caldwell
but Simpson I would keep. I would replace Hawkins in the slot over Caldwell. Simpson and Andy weren’t on the same page most of the game. Simpson was over thrown several times and the interception looked like there was mis-communication between the WR and QB. It looke like Simpson was in an option route and decide to run the route in between zones, while Andy threw for the quick slant. On that particular play he should have went to Gresham anyways. And the only drop Simpson had was because the CB knocked the ball out of his hands, but he still needs to fight for the ball like it is a playoff game.
AMAS
Im sure dalton thinks hey this guy is as tall as green
but man he doesnt jump at all
by Bengalsfan024 on Nov 14, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
well Dalton needs to understand both WR will different tendencies
on the sideline route he over threw Jerome by like 5 yard and even if he would have jumped he probably wouldn’t have gotten it. Its like Andy is more use to Green’s speed. I think on those type of situations, they should ultilize the back shoulder throw and then Simpson would have better advantage over the ball.
AMAS
is it time we used Chase Coffman
as a Wide receiver?
i ask because he unlike simpson and caldwell catches everything.
also… why did we go away from the very effected 2 te set that marched us down the field to tie the game?
by Bengalsfan024 on Nov 14, 2011 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
Been calling for Chase in the slot
Since Shipley went down. He’s big and quick, and would be a handful for a nickel back.
Joel, get off the babysitter
would definately be working chase as a wr on the ps
time for simpson and caldwell to go after this season
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
On the first one, to me it seemed that Simpson had the ball and was on his back before the ball was dislodged
by Oregonbengalsfan on Nov 14, 2011 12:53 PM EST reply actions
Yes.
They pulled the “no football move” shit. He caught it. Was taken down and landed on his back and then the ball was stripped. They only replayed it the one time, does anyone else have a way to review that.
(Then, later, same thing except instead of stripping the player slid out of bounds… don’t see what’s the huge difference)
I thought I saw that
but wasn’t sure if I was the only one. I was screaming at the TV that it was a reception and then he was down.
by Oregonbengalsfan on Nov 14, 2011 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I was waiting for the challenge also
And what the hell was with playing for the half when Steelers were getting the ball back at the beginning of the 2nd half. We had almost a minute and a TO left. We could have at last tried to score at least a field goal.
by Oregonbengalsfan on Nov 14, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
andrew hawkins stepped up
I think he deserves either simpson or caldwells position quite frankly
by Hoke Hogan on Nov 14, 2011 12:58 PM EST via mobile reply actions
definatly needs to replace caldwell
hawkins can made a big paly out of nothing, he just seems to have great potential in the slot
AMAS
I agree
Hawkins looked fast and most of all……..LOOKED HUNGRY
by ticalcaldwell on Nov 14, 2011 1:10 PM EST up reply actions
I honestly don't think leon hall was that great
It seems like he was always getting toasted whenever he played a half way decent receiver so bye bye leon ha
by Hoke Hogan on Nov 14, 2011 12:59 PM EST via mobile reply actions
He did fine
Yes, 84 made 3 straight catches on him – but they were great go-up-and-get-it catches. At least Hall wasn’t giving the 12 yd cushion like Clements and Jennings. Even after Wallace made his turns Clements was still 8 yds back. Drove me nuts.
Joel, get off the babysitter
Dez Briscoe
We cut Briscoe, who can be a playmaker for these two guys. Huge mistake in keeping the receivers we did over that Kid, that we did use a draft pick on.
Dez Briscoe was such a weird situation
We had Chad and TO and Shipley, Caldwell had the experience, and Quan Cosby was our return guy. It was too early to give up on Simpson since we had used a 2nd round pick on him, and honestly there’s no reason we shouldn’t have been able to keep Briscoe on our PS. I still think what Tampa did was ridiculous and am surprised they didn’t face any repercussions from the league. My guess is that somewhere in the private owners meetings the league told everyone “Dont’ ever do that again, it sets a horrible precedent” and that’s why we haven’t seen it happen since.
We didn't cut Brizcoe
Tampa Bay paid a huge amount to get him off our practice squad. Like you, I also thought he might develop into a good receiver, but the money talked.
yup
I’m eating crow on that… except to say that I was never for signing TO… and if we hadn’t done that we would have advocated for Briscoe
"fail to step up"
Quite the understatement. I am particularly disappointed with Jerome “Hands of Stone” Simpson.
Coffman and Hawkins
Anybody but Caldwell and Simpson. They play like they just sit at home smoke and play video games all day. I’m sorry but both act like they still playing like there in little league( I’m only out here because my parents making me attitude). Am I only one that’s see neither attacks the ball. Coffman was the most prolific passing te in college history, Hawkins a smart hungry professional with blazing speed get em in game coach. Like to see more screens for Scott also.
by pray4gm11 on Nov 14, 2011 1:21 PM EST via mobile reply actions
i still cant figure out why we can throw the ball to coffman
im sure he can block a S CB or LB why does he need to block a DE if you just send him on a route
by Bengalsfan024 on Nov 14, 2011 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
I think people need to get over Chase Coffman
Every other NFL team knows his college resume just like we do. He dropped to us for a reason, and there’s a reason no one has even sniffed around taking him off our practice squad in 3 years. The fact that Cochart has already beat him to a roster spot should speak volumes. The bottom line is, Chase Coffman might just not be as good as we’d all like to think he could be. In addition to not being able to block, which everyone seems to accept as truth, he might just not be able to grasp an NFL playbook or run good routes. Simple as that. In college he could probably get by just on being a physical mismatch for anyone and having good hands, but in the NFL you need to be a lot more than that.
by eric nyc on Nov 14, 2011 1:25 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
well i think that if he sucked that bad
he wouldn’t be taking up space on your teams practice squad….
if he sucks why don’t they just cut him?
can't we just pave over kansas?
I think Caldwell is the first to be replaced
I just have a feeling that Simpson might bounce back out of his slump. I’d hate to see him go to another team and step up like he is capable of doing. Caldwell, I’m over.
by Oregonbengalsfan on Nov 14, 2011 1:24 PM EST reply actions
again with simpson
some of the passes to him were not where they needed to be. Andy seems to have better chemistry with Green.
AMAS
bring on baby hawk
so long simpson and caldwell
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
Simpson
I said this on Twitter, but I’m very close to being through with Simpson.
I hear all of the points made, but the point is simply this. If the pass isn’t exactly where it needs to be for Simpson to catch the football, then find someone that can catch the football where it isn’t exactly where it needs to be.
You can’t depend on a guy that catches 45.6% of the on passes he’s being targeted for.
Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Josh Kirkendall on Nov 14, 2011 1:35 PM EST reply actions
Agree
He never seems to make an unexpectedly good catch…only the ones he is supposed to make (if even that).
by steve henderson on Nov 14, 2011 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
Im not sure if I can except that logic
When Carson was here, expected him to make all the passes where they needed to be. Why should it be any different for Andy. Im just saying the relationship between the WR and QB is like a marriage. There needs to be trust between each player and both need to perform. Not saying that all passes have to perfect but they need to be where the WR can get it to their ability.
AMAS
I'm a fan of Simpson (losing that though)
but I think you are being too easy on him. He’s got to go and get that ball. Other receivers do (Green, Hawkins). But still I an hesitant to say he needs to go though due to his potential.
by Oregonbengalsfan on Nov 14, 2011 2:16 PM EST up reply actions
im only judging simpson from what i seen
im not sure how many total targets he had but I believe he only was thrown to 4 times. He only had one catch out of the four but it was a first down. The first pass was “dropped” because the ball was knocked out of his hands, it was a good play for the DB but he still should have fought for it better. Another pas was over thrown by like 5-8 yrds down the side line. I’m not sure if Dalton was used to AJ speed but it wasnt in a position where Jerome could go for it. And the 4th was picked off because Andy was throwing the quick sland and Jerome looked like he did an option route and curled in between zones. But on that last play the better option was Gresham.
Im not say Jerome doesn’t need to improve but Im just saying its a two way street and both positions have room for improvement. I have good feeling next sunday, the offense will have break out game because of this loss.
AMAS
"The first pass was "dropped" because the ball was knocked out of his hands, it was a good play for the DB but he still should have fought for it better."
Honestly, I think that was a catch and he was down before the ball was stripped. I kept waiting for Marvin to challenge that.
In regards to the rest, I have seen too many passes hit his hands and he just doesn’t bring them in. Hopefully he steps up and improves, because, as I’ve mentioned, I believe he can and has the potential to be on hell of a threat opposite Green.
by Oregonbengalsfan on Nov 14, 2011 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think simpson is focused on football right now
I can’t blame him really I’d be pretty scared if I was in his situation But still that does the team no good
by Hoke Hogan on Nov 14, 2011 3:18 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
simpson needs to be gone after this season
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
Why not give Tate a shot???
We have Tate on the active roster, so why not give him a shot with AJ and baby hawk?
by steve henderson on Nov 14, 2011 1:36 PM EST reply actions
He did well in NE
but that’s also NE. I think he deserves a shot though.
by Oregonbengalsfan on Nov 14, 2011 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
totally ok with this
its time to move simpson and caldwell to the number 4/5 wr on depth chart. let tate and hawkins work on 2/3. if they play well, cut the loser of the simpson caldwell runoff and bring on whalen.
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
need new WR's
They get paid to catch the ball. They can’t manage to do it. If they can’t do the job get other guys who can. Bring Whalen and Binns in and give them a shot. What is the worst they can do? Drop the ball?
"Next season will be better" circa 1990
I would be happy
If they could just catch the ball right now. If they caught everything that hit them in the hands I can live with a few poorly run routes. They can’t even catch so who cares what routes they run.
"Next season will be better" circa 1990
well i was talkin about blocking
but yea there are a few things the WRs and QB need to tighten up
AMAS
MOSS?
Hate even thinking going this route but I believe he’ll be a excellent compliment to Green. Don’t think Marvin or our leaders a let him be a distraction. Why wait till next year to win if we one if best teams right now? Green,Moss, Baby Hawk, Gresham also add in Coffman, no defense in our division could come close to stopping that.
by pray4gm11 on Nov 14, 2011 1:53 PM EST via mobile reply actions
quit watching sportscenter and on blog sites
Show me proof he distracted a locker room. Not on same level as TO or Ocho he’s more a competitor so I think his attitude comes from losing. I’ll take that any day. TO and OcHO wanted ball for attention and self promotion. Moss all bout winning, TO a play for ever pay him. Huge difference my guy.
by pray4gm11 on Nov 14, 2011 2:05 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Yep your right
Everything everyone says about himn is a lie.
Thats why 32 teams passed on him this offseason. Hell even Albert Haynesworth continues to find work.
"Next season will be better" circa 1990
Well lets start by saying it is only one loss.
Lets also say that our three biggest playmakers were absent during the second half, Green Dunlap and Hall in that order. We also are only a couple of plays away from tying or winning that game. All in all I’m pretty happy with where we are and I’m not going to start throwing any players under the bus yet. I trust Zimmer to scheme defenses to cover any weakness in the secondary. And I’m sure that Dalton blames himself, for the fourth quarter pick not any previous drops, for the loss. This needs to be Daltons team in THE SAME WAY the Colts are Mannings team, and if AD doesn’t quit on them then neither should we as fans.
that is is
but i’ve given up on caldwell and simpson. they’ve had years here and are still less dependable than rookies. time to move on.
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
Caldwell and Simpson
If you look at the end of last season and throughout this season, receptions, tds, and recieving yards are looking really good for Jerome. But I think he’s had to many drops this season. Also, Caldwell has had too many drops this season. But both of these guys are taking on new roles, and with a new qb. Palmer used to work out with these guys in the offseason, and Dalton has stepped in here with a shortened training camp, not knowing these guys, their strengths, weaknesses, tendencies, etc… Dalton has done a damn good job of it too. Obviously, we lost and their are going to be questions. But these guys are good number TWO AND THREE WR’s. It just shows how much of an impact AJ Green is.
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