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Special kids get chance to play
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Wednesday, May 21, 2008
When the Cincinnati Bengals selected Coastal Carolina wide receiver Jerome Simpson with the 46th overall pick of the NFL draft, shouts of disbelief could be heard across Bengals country.
Simpson is a little-known receiver.
Extras
The organization surprised a lot of fans when the team took the small-school talent in the second round, especially with a number of highly touted receivers — Limas Sweed, DeSean Jackson and Oklahoma's star wideout Malcolm Kelly, who the Bengals courted like a prom date leading up to the draft — still available.
However, there was one man who wasn't surprised at all by the pick, Coastal Carolina assistant coach Hunter Spivey.
"I had been telling people for months that if he didn't go early in the draft, I know he should have," Spivey said.
"I'm hoping I'm right, I think I am, and obviously the Bengals feel that way. When Bengals wideouts coach (Mike) Sheppard came to work him out, I could tell that he was very impressed with Jerome. I was around the kid every day, and he made catches that no one has ever made before. Catches only Jerome Simpson can make. By Jerome's sophomore year, we knew that he was pretty special. We knew physically and ability wise that he was gifted."
The Bengals coaching staff got a glimpse of the receiver's special abilities during rookie minicamp earlier this month.
"You can see the speed — the explosive speed — and that's good to see out there on the practice field," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "You see it right away. He's shown good with his athleticism and ability to catch the football. Those are things you look for."
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Simpson was a big time playmaker for the Chanticleers and the team's go-to-guy on offense. The rangy receiver has an outstanding 41-inch vertical jump, shows good route-running ability, body control and exceptional hands. He's a tremendous all-around football player with good character.
Coach Spivey said he always thought of Simpson as a smaller Randy Moss-type player, and that his ball skills are ridiculous.
Simpson is being looked upon heavily as the replacement for departed Chris Henry at the No. 3 wideout position.
Where Simpson might struggle at the next level is in press-coverage when facing more physical corners and playing against a higher level of talent. Another challenge for the young receiver will be harnessing his competitive nature and not getting frustrated when things get rough. Last, but not least, will be learning the Bengals' offense.
The Bengals would love to see Simpson have an impact like Saints WR Marques Colston did his rookie year when the team drafted him out of small Hofstra in the seventh-round in 2006.
If Simpson is as good as advertised and can make a smooth transition into the pros, there would be more than a rumble in the jungle for the Bengals this season.
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Comments
By J FREE
May 29, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Jerome will be a player to remember. I’ve this young man from the time he was 8 years old till now and he hasn’t disappointed. I told people years ago that this young man would end up in the NFL, and now he has his chance. Simpson comes from a good background and will do very well on the next level. I say an all-star in 3 years. Quote me on that!
By Shane
May 24, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
5-11
By NOT A SQUEELER FAN
May 23, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this
The squeelers don’t know how to pick receivers! No one in the league looks to their receivers, least of all Cincinnati! They can sure find the backs though! Besides, iron jaw Benny needs slower receivers like sweed, they go with his intelligence level
By John B
May 23, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this
I think Cincy made a great pick (and investment) in Simpson. He has the height and ability to become a great reciever and (like stated in the article) the “Marques Colston” of this season.
—At least Cincy didn’t take a Kicker in the first round… cough… Raiders… cough…—
By George
May 22, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
The Steelers didn’t want Simpson.
http://mvn.com/nfl-steelers/2008/05/01/steelers-trickery-leads-to-bengals-blunder-and-allows-steelers-to-land-sweed/
By IgnatiusJReilly
May 21, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
I’d been watching Simpson since seeing his name crop up on several mocks prior to the draft. I probably groaned when I first heard the pick but, after a little research, I understood the logic. Unlike everybody else, apparently, I like the Jason Shirley pick. I know he has- or had, issues but the dude is faster, jumps higher, and is considerably bigger than Sedrick Ellis or Glenn Dorsey. I watched some footage of Shirley just throwing offensive linemen around. He’s a beast.
By BeaverThomas
May 21, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
Living in Myrtle Beach I am about 4 miles from Coastal Carolinas’ Football Field. I grew up in the TriState (Lawrenceburg), but I’ll tell you that these folks down here have an Excellent program albeit, smaller than most. I like several of the posters here like ALL the picks except for Shirley. I don’t think it would happen, but lets all fantasize for a moment….Send CJ to Miami where he will be with “who’s the QB?” and get Jason Taylor. Yeah, I like it too!!! Yes…Simpson OVER Sweed for sure
By catzonprowl
May 21, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
Homer J, plain and simple…YOUR AN IDIOT!!!
By BnOPanther
May 21, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
The Bengals got 3 impact players at positions there were needs for. They got a starting Line Backer (Rivers), a third receiver (Simpson) and another big DT (Sims). I loved this draft with the excpeption of Shirley. Sweed is slow and runs poor routes, but he went to Texas so makes him good. Give me a 4.3 and the second biggest hands, of any player, in the draft any day.
By Jon
May 21, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
Donny, here are some other names: Tab Perry, Bennie Brazell, Reggie McNeal, Kelley Washington, Peter Warrick. Those are just the WRs I can think of off the top of my head who have been drafted in recent years aside from Chad, TJ and Chris Henry. Not every reciever the Bengals draft turns out like Chad and TJ. We’ll have to wait a little while before we can decide whether Simpson is a McNeal or a Houshmandzadeh. Certainly, he has the potential to be as good or better than any of them. Let’s hop
By Alex
May 21, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
What about these?
TJ Housh - from a JuCo Terrell Owens - Tennessee-Chattanooga Jerry Rice - Mississippi Valley State
No one knew who these guys were either.
By tim
May 21, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
I knew who Chad Johnson was before getting drafted. A lot of people did. He went to Oregon State not Appalachian State. Jerome Simpson, good pick by the Bengals. I think this guy will shine as a pro. I just wish they would have gotten rid of Chad “the cancer” Johnson. I cant stand that guy now.
By Daryl
May 21, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Everyone forgets the only reason Pittsburg took Sweed was that the Bengals had taken Simpson. Pittsburg was locked in on Simpson and had to settle for Sweed. I give the Bengals credit on this pick. I was stunned as much as anyone but I think teh Bengals did there homework on this Simpson kid. Who Dey!!!!!
By Ken Dippel
May 21, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
I think it was stupid to pick Simpson up in the second round. Stupid! They did not get the impact defensive tackle that we needed. In other words the Bengals did not fully address in the draft what they needed most and that was to fix the defense. Again, they are focusing in on offense without first thinking about building a solid defensive team. They made a major blunder by not trading away Chad Johnson to move up to get the big DT out of USC.
By LANCE S.
May 21, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Did anyone know who Chad Johnson was before he was drafted? When you’re from a small school you’re more hungry than the big name school guys to make the team. I think this kid will be a star with Palmer throwing to him.
By donny
May 21, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
Hey people do you remember the last recievers Cincy has drafted? Chris TJ Chad Im pretty sure they have a scout that has an eye for talent. A reciever is as good as the QB throwing the ball to him. S with that in mind Carson could make anyone a star.
By damn jeff
May 21, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
How many times are you going to post that. (it has no value when you see it three times in a row!)
By Jeff
May 21, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Time and time again people ask for the bengals to look at more than the big schools. Sweed is a great player no doubt but he obviously was not what the bengals were looking for. This guy is sick 41 inch vertical, 4.3 speed. 11 inch hands. I mean seriously grasp that thought. I too at first was shocked but obviously the Bengals like this type. Plus they have been pretty good at picking receivers so I will take their word for it.
By Jeff
May 21, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Time and time again people ask for the bengals to look at more than the big schools. Sweed is a great player no doubt but he obviously was not what the bengals were looking for. This guy is sick 41 inch vertical, 4.3 speed. 11 inch hands. I mean seriously grasp that thought. I too at first was shocked but obviously the Bengals like this type. Plus they have been pretty good at picking receivers so I will take their word for it.
By Jeff
May 21, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
Time and time again people ask for the bengals to look at more than the big schools. Sweed is a great player no doubt but he obviously was not what the bengals were looking for. This guy is sick 41 inch vertical, 4.3 speed. 11 inch hands. I mean seriously grasp that thought. I too at first was shocked but obviously the Bengals like this type. Plus they have been pretty good at picking receivers so I will take their word for it.
By Homer J
May 21, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
“I can’t believe they picked this guy. Who is he? I mean we could have gotten Sweed! Oh, wait, you say the Steelers wanted him OVER Sweed? Great Pick! I really think this guy will make a difference” -Typical Cincinnati Bengals Response