2011 proved to be the best & worst season of Jerome Simpsons three year career. Jerome finished the season with 53 catches for 758 yards, four touchdowns and 1 case of trafficking marijuana in excess of 8 ounces.
When I first read that police busted Jerome Simpson after tracking a package containing over 2.5lbs of Marijuana en-route to his Northern Kentucky home, I was disappointed. Not only do I believe he has squandered away a golden opportunity to make something of himself, he let his coaches, team mates and fans down who are trying to change the perception of the Bengals organization.
Since then, Jerome Simpson has pleaded Not Guilty to the crime. Although Jerome's lawyer, Burr Travis, has stated that the package was not addressed to Jerome, I think there is enough evidence to charge him with the crime. That being said, it is also possible that Jerome is found Not Guilty. If this happens, we think that the league would still punish Jerome for violating the leagues personal conduct policy.
I wrote Jerome off back in September. I'll admit that I went nuts when he front-flipped into the endzone but that didn't really change my opinion of him. I wonder how I will feel if he is found Not Guilty? I might be willing to welcome him back to the team. The jury is still very much out in his case.
What do you guys think? Would you resign him either way? Would you not resign him either way?
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.
0 recs | 33 comments
Nice OJ reference with the title!
DTFCPDX - February 21, 2012
thank you sir
Jason Blanton - February 21, 2012
IMO if he's not guilty you have to bring Rome back
The kid is an absolute nightmare matchup going across the middle and is a big yac guy. Another year in the system and let’s not forget that this will be like his sophomore season in terms of being a starter.
If he can just get his head wrapped around the playbook week after week we have no need for another wideout early.
Throw the ball - February 21, 2012
I agree...
with a second season with Dalton I think he could be a lot better……But New question…Does Dalton want him back? That to me would hold a lot of clout if he was found not guilty and had an opportunity to play next year.
Toasted_Orange_Monster - February 21, 2012
Your last line is right
But it is not his sophomore season. He has been around for 4 or 5 years now. There was a reason he wasn’t playing he can not run a route or be were he is suppose to be. The only way we bring him back is if he is found not guilty and he plays cheap. We also need to bring in someone else as the number two and not rely on him but for only a few plays per game not the full playbook.
js3806 - February 22, 2012
I would agree, I would not bring him back in hopes that he would take the WR#2 Spot...
He would have to fight Ship/FA WR… Hawkins/Whalen for a spot….
Toasted_Orange_Monster - February 22, 2012
Ok the package was not addressed to him
but what about the pounds of dope already on premises. Don’t know if he actually resided there as had been previously reported which may help him but if he indeed resided there he’s going to go down
sofakingood - February 21, 2012
RE:
I don’t think he was charged with that though. Feds don’t care if you’re already in possession of marijuana, only the trafficking component of it. I think…
Josh Kirkendall - February 21, 2012
ya- this case is only the trafficked weed charge, not the inside the house weed
additionally, the inside stash is supposedly WAY less than originally reported…not that it matters in his present court case, but maybe tad in the public court of opinion.
TruWhoDey - February 21, 2012
I think that turned out not to be true.
But I can’t find a link…. so…
Boomer Lion - February 21, 2012
I don't think the addressee is teh end-all-be-all of evidence.
But presumably if a package were shipped to your home without you having been part of the planning, you SHOULD not get convicted. I doubt most people would get as thorough a review of the evidence as Rome is getting, but they should.
If he’s not convicted, I’m not sure why we would’’t sign him again. If he’s not convicted, you can be fairly sure that he wasn’t involved, give our legal system’s heavy bias in favor of a guilty verdict, especially for drug trafficking charges.
Boomer Lion - February 21, 2012
i think some fans would argue that Jerome dropped too many passes this season and was too inconsistent.
Jason Blanton - February 21, 2012
most fans would also argue that we should have 3 pro bowl recievers or its not good enough
not trying to argue…just saying.
plus if he’s found not guilty, you know MB is all over that discount double check contract he loves
TruWhoDey - February 21, 2012
We just need a picture of Mikey doing the "Rodgers" belt move and your all set!
The Van Buren Boys - February 21, 2012
amen bro
bengal4life68 - February 21, 2012
He was extremely streaky...
And I don;t think you just dump money on him, but as a receiver he looked good at times. To be honest, he played like a rookie.
Boomer Lion - February 21, 2012
look at his yardage vs targets in each game and then tell me if he is streaky
i think you will notice when he is targeted more than usuall, he puts good numbers. Its more or less to get andy to look his way.
AMAS85 - February 21, 2012
Well there is the flip side to that...
he’s not going to get targeted if he doesn’t create an opportunity to throw it his way. It’s not just having Dalton big-d**k it in there like Ron Jeremy.
But my point was simply that (just looking at his numbers) he had some games where he flashed a lot of potential and some where he disappeared. Hopefully the coaching staff can help identify the factors that make it one or the other.
Rome would benefit from a full off-season where he’s getting starter’s love as much as anyone on this team, including AJ Green. He hasn’t had a full off season either… at least not one where the staff is preparing him to be the guy.
Boomer Lion - February 21, 2012
"It’s not just having Dalton big-d**k it in there like Ron Jeremy."
lol not sure what you mean by that.
But yes I agree he can do a better job of getting, what WR doesn’t need to improve that?
My point is, part of the reason Simpson and others might seem streaky may be because Dalton tends to lock on his number one target (AJ), instead of checking down. I believe Dalton will get better at it, since he was only a rookie.
But any number two will face the same problem. I think continuity between the QB and WRs is going to benifit the team more than trying to bring in that big FA WR.
AMAS85 - February 21, 2012
I mean if Rome isn't open, it's not on Dalton to force it to him.
Targets aren’t just “how many times Dalton looked his way” but how many times Dalton looked his way and found him open. AJ Green gets chucked jump balls because he’s AJ Green – Dalton probably feels that, like Megatron and other elite receivers, Green is open starting with the snap and only stops being open once the whistle is blown simply by virtue of his elite talent. Rome has to create some space in order for Dalton to pull the trigger because he hasn’t (consistently) shown the willingness and ability to fight off defenders if Dalton puts the ball in contested space.
I guess I’m just saying that Rome not getting targets can be on him as easily as it is on Dalton. It’s true Dalton seemed to lock onto Green sometimes, and certainly there were plays where he didn’t get time to run through any kind of progression… but there were also plenty of plays where Rome simply couldn’t get open.
Boomer Lion - February 21, 2012
oh I agree its not just on Dalton, but its the looks that Jerome got or the lack of opportunity he gets compared to AJ
Your right about AJ, he is just freak and half the time he was thrown too, he wasn’t open, just goes up and gets it.
But for Dalton, he will live and die by his sword and thats his quick release. As much as Gruden is watching the saints, I hope Andy is right there with him watching Brees. Because Brees just has a knack of knowing who is open, with out having to looking them. Its his 6th sense. I hope Dalton can develop that as well, I think he will, Dalton just needs to get use to the speed of the game.
My point, essentialy, is ANY WR we bring in, will face the same problem we had with Simpson. And thats getting the 2nd WR the same looks as the number one. Its a lot easier said then done. But I think for this group between the WRs and QB, continuity is KEY. So I think bringing back Simposn to a one year deal with a second year option makes the most sense.
AMAS85 - February 21, 2012
"It's not just having Dalton big-d**k it in there like Ron Jeremy."
sexsalad - February 21, 2012
I would bring him back
Not as the number 2, but to compete for the number 4 job. He would be one of the top 4th receivers in the league and provides insurance. I would like to see us sign Reggie Wayne or Mike Wallace as our #2.
jim0ijk - February 21, 2012
Perfect
Huge fan of bringing in Wayne! Good veteran leadership, mentor for AJ, and excellent #2. Bring back Simpson and give him a 10 play playbook and he will be amazing for 5-8 snaps per game.
js3806 - February 22, 2012
I'd bring him back as a backup but not a starter
Bengal4ever - February 21, 2012
If the price is right
Weather he is guilty or not guilty,to late he’s already put himself in that position either way
If he is cheap,sign him,2 yr contract
I’d still either draft his replacement or find a diamond in FA,i wouldnt commit nothing long term to Rome
keithp - February 21, 2012
i think its safe to say Jerome will be found not guilty
for the fact he was charged with “intent to distribute”. They still haven’t prove that the pot was his and if it was, they have to prove he was trying to sell it.
I think there is more to the story that hasn’t come out. But if Simpson is found not guilty, I don’t think the NFL has the authority to suspend him for “something” he hasn’t even been convicted for.
AMAS85 - February 21, 2012
Ben Roethlisberger...
JamesShively - February 21, 2012
Ben was the only player in NFL history to get suspend for not commiting a crime
but thats comparing oranges to apples because Ben would got charge if he went to trial. Something tells me Ben got off the hook big time.
Simpson on the other hand was charged with “possession of Marijuana” with the “intent to distribute”. So if he is found to be innocent, then that means “he didn’t have Majiuana and he was trying to distribute”. Meaning he didn’t commit a crime and the NFL would have no authority to suspend him.
Big Ben had admission of guilt, he publicly said he had been “drinking” and by his admission, he admitted to substance abuse. So therefor, under the NFL guidelines he was able to get suspended because he broke the NFL’s rule not the law (but if he would have went to trial, it would have been a different story).
So in theory, in order for simpson to get off the hook and not get charged with anything. It would have to be someone weed. And there still is a possibility that might be true.
AMAS85 - February 21, 2012
I have always assumed that the suspension was part of the settlement.
jim0ijk - February 21, 2012
IMO
i think Jerome is a number 1 receiver. when he isn’t the main target he tends to not do as well. like back in 2010. at the end of the year he was a BEAST. and this year when he was the number 2 guy, he lacked a little bit. but when AJ was out, he shined. ( the Ravens game.) i love Rome, but i think we need to bring in a sure fire number 2 receiver this season. that’s just what i think.
spencodude - February 21, 2012
For now, I'd be ok with Simpson coming back.
He’s servicable and Dalton was targeting ol’ reliable AJ Green because he wants to get first downs and touch downs.
But if Vincent Jackson, or Reggie Wayne, or Pierre Garcon comes to town? Move over Rome.
UpStateMike - February 22, 2012
voted who dey not sure but I'm not thrilled either way.
more happy if he goes, just because it will help change our national perception when an announcer has to say “The Bengals chose to part ways with their troubled but athletic receiver, whose front flip highlight will be seen for years to come. This along with them parting ways with Cedric Benson and Adam Jones coupled with passing up a chance to grab Janoris Jenkins in the draft, seems to indicate the Bengals are trying clean up their image in the NFL.”
keithster - February 22, 2012
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