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Simpson’s spirits high as Bengals enter “Rome Zone”
The Cincinnati Bengals have officially entered the “Rome Zone.”
At least that’s how wide receiver Jerome Simpson sees it after hauling in six catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns during his first career start Sunday — a 34-20 victory over San Diego.
“Anything in the air, I’m going to go get it, that’s the Rome Zone” said Simpson, who was catapulted into the starting lineup because of injuries to Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco.
“That’s my thing, make plays. I told coach I want to play for the Bengals and help this team win. I want to be coached and do everything right. Carson (Palmer) believes in me and will use this performance as a starting point for things to come.”
After three seasons of grooming the receiver, this performance may have convinced the team that Simpson is ready to play a bigger role on offense. Simpson believes his time has come.
“It’s all about keeping the faith,” he said. “My family really supported me through these three years in Cincinnati. Just going out there and executing showed the coaches that I can play at this high level. This was a very good thing to build on my career and I will continue to work hard. All I’ve done is work hard for my team. My mother always told me to keep the faith and it’s paying off for me.”
This could very well be the turning point in Simpson’s career and it’s a good thing because Bengal fans have ripped the organization since it drafted Simpson with the 46th overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft. The Bengals passed over Philadelphia Eagles star receiver Deshawn Jackson to select the small-school receiver, which didn’t sit well with most.
Despite his skeptics Simpson has always been confident in his ability to play at the pro level. He insists that he had game all along.
“I knew I could play at a high level from day one since being drafted,” Simpson said. “I just waited for my time and for my number to be called. I’ve always had the support of my teammates and knew it was just a matter of time before I could showcase my skills. I never listened to the naysayers. I knew what I was capable of on the field and it showed.”
Simpson credits offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, who has been criticized throughout the season for his play-calling, with calling a stellar game on Sunday.
“We were just having fun supporting each other and playing as a team,” he said. “We played hard and the coaches put us in the right positions and we executed.”
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Comments
By Rod Serling
December 29, 2010 2:16 PM | Link to this
Nightmare season. More like the Twilight Zone
By Jerome Simpson
December 30, 2010 3:09 PM | Link to this
The Bengals would be a better team with Chad and Terelle. They can be replaced by future Pro Bowler Jerome Simpson.
By JKJ
December 30, 2010 9:21 PM | Link to this
Great. Just what the Bengals need…another WR with an overblown ego.
By null
December 30, 2010 11:51 PM | Link to this
Big Whup!
By boken spirit
December 31, 2010 9:31 AM | Link to this
Same old bengals. Same old excuses. t.o. and ohnocinko have got to go. These two are a poison to this team.