So there are a lot of negative feelings surrounding Jerome for a number of reasons. He drops the ball on occasion, has been in trouble with the law, but most recently seems to DISAPPEAR from games.

In fact, in the last 8 games he exceeded 50 yards once. These mere fact alone may lead one to call Simpson an inadequate #2 receiver, justifiably so.

But to criticize Jerome's inability to step up or to provide Dalton with another target is unfair. Lets look at the receptions from previous weeks:

STL; : ROME: 5 targets, 2 rec
AJ: 8 targets, 6 rec
Gresh: 5 Targets, 3 rec

HOU: ROME: 3 targets, 2 rec
AJ: 7 targets, 5 rec
Caldwell: 3 targets, 2 rec
Gresh: 5 targets, 3 rec

PITT: ROME: 2 targets, 0 rec
AJ: 11 targets, 6 rec
Leonard: 4 targets, 4 rec
Gresh: 7 targets, 3 rec

CLE: ROME: 4 targets, 2 rec
AJ: 4 targets, 3 catches
Ced: 5 targets, 4 catches
Gresh: 8 targets, 5 catches

BAL: ROME: 12 targets, 8 catches
Hawk: 7 targets, 4 catches
Caldwell: 8 targets, 3 catches
Gresh: 6 targets, 3 catches

Its proven by these stats that Jerome is simply not seeing the targets that a #2 receiver should be getting. Jerome is seeing 1 target every 9.4 snaps, which is less than Caldwell who is seeing 1 target every 7.8 snaps. Also, Jerome did step up during the Baltimore game when AJ was out, so the talent and reliability is definitely there.

I don't want to point fingers and start saying its Dalton's fault for not giving rome more looks but its clear that it is not fair to crap on Simpson for not doing his job when he is seeing a very limited amount of targets.