Jerome Simpson, to sign or not to sign.....that is the question.
by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 7, 2012 9:50 PM EST
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Jerome Simpson, just saying his name elicits some kind of emotion. Excitement (Flip over a defender for 6), Frustration (following up a 100-yard game with 0 catches for 0 yards), Wonder (Why in the world did we spend a 2nd-round pick on a guy from CCU?), or Indifference (depending on the number of Bengal games you have watched, you may not even recognize the name). I felt halfway through the season that he should not be re-signed. I would get frustrated enough with him to curse at the TV like it was going to respond to me or something. But as this season has went on I have changed to strangely being ok with us re-signing him. First, I broke down some quick stats from opposing team's #2 WR's (focusing on our AFC North foes)............
Torrey Smith, Baltimore - 50 receptions, 841 yards, 16.8 average/reception, with 7 TD's.
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh - 69 receptions, 1,108 yards, 16.1 average/reception, with 2 TD's.
Greg Little, Cleveland (*All Cleveland receivers are #2 receivers, so I picked the best one) - 61 receptions, 709 yards, 11.6 average/reception, with 2 TD's.
Jerome Simpson, Cincinnati - 50 receptions, 725 yards, 14.5 average/reception, with 4 TD's.
The averages between Smith, Brown and Little are: 60 receptions, 886 yards, 14.8 average/reception, and 4 TD's.
Compare that to Jerome's statline above: 50/725/14.5/4............tells me he is right about on par with them.
AJ's statline is 65 catches for 1,057 yards, 16.3 average and 7 TD's (Stats are though Baltimore game). The point is Jerome has the numbers of a capable #2 in comparison to his peers in our division. AJ has much better stats, which of course he should because he is Andy's #1 target (rightfully so). But he didn't fall as short as I had assumed stacked up against some other #2's of our main competition for the AFC North. I think with the price we can most likely get him for, with Shipley coming back to solidify the slot postion (along with Hawkins/Whalen) and Gresham as another huge target........we have that position solidified enough. Plus, with a full training camp/pre-season together the numbers should naturally improve. I would like to sign Colston/Meachem/Garcon or whoever else, but feel we have other holes to fill that are more pressing. We need to focus on CB, OL, RB and S. Those are the primary positions in need of an upgrade. We will most likely draft a WR at some point in the 2012 draft, but my thoughts are we don't make that our top priority until mid-rounds or higher. I want us to get our running game back to being reliable enough to run clock, move the chains on 3rd and short and keep at least 8 in the box as much as possible. Also, we need to improve our Secondary without question and bring in some guys who can help create turnovers and let the D Line pin their ears back more and focus on pressure. I would like to get everyone's thoughts because Simpson is a guy that always gets a good debate going. Benson/Crocker aren't even interesting anymore because that isn't a debate, it's a one sided air-tight argument against bringing them back. Tough loss tonight, but we have and will continue to turn the corner. Who Dey?!!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.
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He continues to improve and has made some big plays....
but he has to continue to do so. We need to sign him to a 2 year incentive deal. If he can’t live up to after next year, then we cut him. He has crazy potential, which is of course a dangerous move. We all may be on here next season saying send him down “Chris Crocker” avenue.
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 8, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
I thought he was one of the few positives today
I for one labeled him ordinary during year he’s been really good in 2nd half of season. One criticism of his play he waits for it he needs to attack the ball and catch with his hands If he can take that step forward and we can sign Meachum in F.A we’ll have a nice WR core with Shipley back as well. We need him Wr in draft this year is probably to much of a luxury pick especially in high rounds
Agree, Mayock talked about that during the game too.
He runs a good route and isn’t aggressive all the time coming back to the ball. That can be worked on and improved. With his stats above, we can work with him and with Ship back….can address other areas.
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 8, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
IF
he is cleared of all wrongdoing with the postal pot fiasco
he displays a team-first attitude
he can learn to go after the ball instead of waiting for it to get to him
he is really, really cheap
then maybe. If any of those don’t apply, cut him.
lol you crack me up when it comes to Jerome
IF
he is cleared of all wrongdoing with the postal pot fiascoA. I don’t think he will get charge with anything more than a few weeks in Jail, IF convicted. And Im pretty sure Jamal lewis got charged with more and was able to come back to play after spending the summer in jail.
he displays a team-first attitudeA. I think he he has already proved he has a team first attitude. I.E. The response he gave about the “flip”
he can learn to go after the ball instead of waiting for it to get to himA. Agree he can be more proactive when it comes to going after the ball, but at the same time he needs more opportunities.
he is really, really cheap
A. I don’t think he will be that cheap, there will be other teams interested. But I think he will get more gaurenteed money here.
I don’t think Jerome has gotton a fair shake this season. He had a lot of drops the first couple of games and then got caught with pot in his house. For those reasons, I think people have looked down at him and not really give him a fair shake. Simpson is an incredible athlete that wants to be here and support his team. I think his track record shows that.
AMAS
Not for starter money
sorry. Doesn’t cut it. He can jump over players but not when the ball is in the air, only after he catches it.
by occams_tiger_teeth on Jan 7, 2012 10:52 PM EST reply actions
The argument isn't that it can't be upgraded.........
the argument is aren’t our other needs (OL, RB, CB, and S) more pressing? Despite having 2 first round picks, we still won’t be able to address every need by drafting a starter. With MB not having to spend and hit the ceiling until 2013, you still think this is a bigger area of concern? I would rather focus on the above positions and continue to develop Jerome. I think we can live with that, versus passing up an OL, RB, CB or S.
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 7, 2012 11:32 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He's not a good fit anyway
We’ve got Green to be #1 and we’ve got Shipley & Hawkins in the slot. We don’t need a freak athlete to be a #1 receiver or a burner with crazy speed & athletic ability. We need consistency, a guy that will make the tough catch, not a guy with a ton of baggage. If we didn’t have Green and needed someone to step up and be a #1 guy, and were really desperate, I can see taking a risk with Simpson again. That’s not the situation we’re in. There are a lot of FAs that could come in and be that reliable #2 guy. With Green & Gresh as the primary targets, with Shipley & Hawk making plays from the slot, we can have a pretty mediocre guy there and still have a great passing attack. As long as we beef up the o-line and bring in a RB, we could probably start Whalen at #2 and be fine.
Can He Play Defensive Back ?
Seriously, if the price is right, we’ll probably resign him. If some team throws some outrageous money at him, then see ya. No bidding war over Mr. Simpson. Also, if there’s any chance of the Feds coming after him, we better part ways.
See ya
Its obvious he is a freak athlete,its also obvious he has no work ethic,and thats the only way he will ever see his full
potential.I root for Rome,there is a serious lack of intelligence,focus,and concentration.With success Rome’s,
need for look at me antics,such as a flip that however exciting it is to watch,could have just as easily been a fumble.
Its only going to get worse,we have seen him act like his mentor (OCHO) celebration’s after catch’s that were so
average his teammates are looking at him like get your ass back in the huddle.With the receiver’s already on the
roster,it isnt like we are hurting to keep him around.
Personally i hope he has to answer for his weed,and there isnt any chance to bring him back,even if they wanted to
"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"
please let me know why you think he is lazy? or doesn't show any work ethic?
I really want to know where that is coming from.
AMAS
POTENTIAL!
He has alot of potential, that he can only get through playtime! Housch was here 3 yrs until he developed, not that he is TJ, but with the other previous corp of receivers, this is his true “1st YR”! The secondary should be the 1st priority, then OL for more protection for Dalton, then a power running back to replace Benson… Been a fan of Benson, but lately his production and sideline attitude are questionable for release/replacement. The draft is NOT going to answer ALL the spots needed, free agents are needed also, if anything for their possible experience in the league, but the selection has to mesh wih the chemistry established with this team! All In All…. WHO DEY NEXT YEAR!!!!
bs
since when does NFL teams have the time, patience, and roster space to let a guy sit for 3 years until they figure out how to play? Quit blaming it on Brat and everyone else, the guy is dumb as a rock. I’m sick of saying “yeah, but hopefully…” about our players. Hopefully Carson gets back to 2005 form, hopefully Benson will act like he cares today, hopefully Simpson will have a better attitude and a more effective frontal lobe … I’m sick of it.
Carson is gone, Benson will be soon, let Simpson go with them. We’ve got a lot of hard workers on the team, but that should be all we have.
He'll be a Bengal for two reasons next year....
1) He’ll be cheap 2) See reason #1
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 8, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
"since when does NFL teams have the time, patience, and roster space to let a guy sit for 3 years until they figure out how to play?"
Since now I guess since it happened
by Oregonbengalsfan on Jan 8, 2012 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
I think it's a similar mentality that you can use to look at Andre Smith.....
Smith would make a great RG, with Collins playing RT. We have refused to move Smith inside and give Collins that shot on a weekly basis because Andre makes LT money and was a high draft pick. Instead of making a move based on need, talent and what would better our team we put those reasons slightly ahead. We will keep Simpson because he was a 2nd round pick that we gambled on and we don’t want to look like we failed. So we’ll sign him cheap and continue to play him and hopefully he becomes more consistent…..but who knows? Hasn’t happened yet, that’s for sure. His numbers aren’t bad as I posted above, just imagine if he showed up weekly as a threat?
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 17, 2012 10:53 AM EST up reply actions
if he's available and cheap
he’ll back. otherwise..
"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."
hahaha........that is one variable that could definitely change the lanscape of things.
I think he’ll be both available and cheap, hopefully he’ll be a free man too. I personally would love to see us go after Meachem, I think he’d be great opposite AJ, I just don’t see it happening unfortunately. He’s underutilized due to the crowd at WR and TE for New Orleans. He could be a huge asset for us here.
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 8, 2012 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
Here is another question for those looking for help via Free Agency.......
I don’t think we’ll go after Colston because 1) He’d cost too much 2) The Saints will keep him. Between these two, who’d you rather go after………
Pierre Garcon – Stats are as follows: 70 Rec, 947 Yards, 13.5 per avg, 6 TD’s (also 25 years old, played for terrible team this year)
Robert Meachem – 40 Rec, 620 Yards, 15.5 per avg., 6 TD’s (also 27 years old, played for great offensive team, in which numbers probably limited)
I could see us looking at these two, thoughts?
"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche
by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 8, 2012 4:02 PM EST reply actions
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