Jerome Simpson loses $60K in Vikings' deactivation

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100000 ... activation

I'm beginning to get a bad feeling about the Simpson situation. Not the injury, but the one year contract that everyone assumed would be the Vikings' choice whether it would be extended or renewed. We're starting to see some bad blood already, and I have a feeling Simpson won't be back, no matter what.

I'd say it's a situation that will take care of itself. If things continue to go as they have, the Vikings probably won't have an interest in Simpson anyway and that one year contract may end up looking like a very smart move. If he gets on the field more often, plays great and gives the Vikes good reason to offer him a multi-year contract, he will likely be happy with his role and productivity and very willing to listen to what the Vikes have to offer. Maybe he'll consider other offers and maybe they'll lose him but if he finds a great role with the team, there will be plenty of motivation for him to stay.

Oh, it will take care of itself alright.More incidents like this and Simpson will be gone, no matter what happens on the field.

Of course Simpson wants to play, for the money, regardless if he's ready or not. Probably a good call by Frazier, I doubt the guy is going to hold him out to save 60k.

As far as the deal, I stated at the time I felt it was lose/lose. He was desperate for a job and took the one he could get. If he plays poorly, Vikings don't resign him and didn't get anything out of him. If he plays well he'll cash in elsewhere and the Vikings just gave him a stage to show what he can do, to the detriment of the team especially a position they are already thin at. I'm sure they'll address the position again next offseason, there should be an emphasis on it, but I doubt Simpson will be in the picture either way.

If the lost game check is such a big deal to Simpson (which would not be so surprising) AND the Vikings think they would like to keep positivity with him for future options, then they could just choose to pay him. The thinking being: you might be able to play, but we have enough concern about the rest of the season that we are holding you out as caution - so being our call, we pay you in good faith.

In the scheme of things, the $60k is small potatoes IF they think the Juice should be wearing a purple helmet with horns after February 2013.

Exactly and if Simpson finds his way to the kind of serious productivity that would make him worth re-signing, he'll probably be happy to be in an offense that allows him to be that productive and receptive to a good offer from the team. This little bit of frustration he's feeling about being held out last weekend probably means nothing in the big picture.

Simpson says he's a "competitor" and wants to play. He feels he's healthy enough to be productive for the team. Personally, I'll take him at his word.

Just get Simpson out there on the field. If he's truly healthy, then he has skills the Vikings offense desperately needs. That's all that matters to me. Can the guy help the team on the field or not? The Vikings need to know. And if he can't, then the Vikings need to know that, too.

I agree. Frustration is natural. In the larger picture, this really doesn't mean much. I'm hopeful that Simpson will find his stride and reach that serious productivity that you speak of. I'm interested to how this all unfolds this season.

I don't know, Craig. He could easily be in denial about his actual ability to perform right now simply because he wants to play and get his paycheck. For example, the Vikings have been saying Simpson's back is the source of his problems but Simpson says otherwise:

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Stil ... 101712?t=2





That's the key: is he truly healthy? From the same article:

When it comes down to it WR is just one of the positions the front office struck out on this year. They swung ... just missed. Considering all the other hits I can't really complain. I expect the team to address the position when they should. Next year's draft. Regardless of how Simpson turns out.

I'm still hoping to see Wright at some point this season. He looked very good in the preseason game that he hurt his ankle. Granted that's against backups playing mostly base defenses but he showed promise. Burton has been active and on the field and so far hasn't really done much other than run block. He does have 1 TD but anyone who saw that play knows it was more of a fluke than anything.

I don't blame Simpson for wanting the paycheck. I'd feel exactly the same way. I don't blame him for being fired up about playing either.

That said, I hear what you're saying, Jim. According to the article that you listed, Frazier is giving Simpson a chance to practice hard today. Let's see how that turns out. I don't want him out there if he's hurting or could cripple himself for the season (or even worse). I like the guy. It's just that he has a set of skills the Vikings badly need right now.

As for Simpson's attitude, I think it's been great. Here's Simpson from the article:



Doesn't sound bad to me.



I'd love to see the Vikings give Wright a chance but I'm not holding my breath. Either Wright is rotten in practice, or isn't healthy, or whatever the reason/excuse is.

I can't figure it. It doesn't seem that Frazier and his staff are interested in getting Wright out there, despite the obvious need for a WR that can help open things up a bit.

Last game, both Wright and Simpson were left off of the game day roster, and between Carlson, Ellison and Burton, none played more than 17 snaps.

The Vikings have an extremely one-dimensional passing game right now. And I don't think that they even care that they're only using two receivers. They target Harvin and Rudolph, and the rest get the rare call and a few check downs.

I think they care. I just think their options are limited (or at least they feel their options are limited) and they are playing to their strengths. Jenkins is on pace for a 50 catch season. Is he really a player they should target much more than they do? As soon as Simpson was back from suspension, they put him in and targeted him 6 times in his first game. If they felt he was healthy enough to play right now I see no reason to doubt they'd be trying to get the ball to him. They target other receivers once in a while but none of them have been able to do much, although they're starting to use Ellison a bit more.

I don't either. Heck, I'm glad he's fired up about playing!



It certainly doesn't sound like the kind of resentment that would lead him to refuse any contract offer the Vikes might make to him after the season.

The way Frasier is talking has made me wonder if the issue has more to do with Simpson's attitude vs. injury concerns. Just speculation, but in some ways it reminds me of the Cedric Griffen mess last year. Who knows though, we won't find out unless Simpson opens his mouth.

Simpson did open his mouth. He made it clear that he's not angry with Coach Frazier but that he's upset over the situation.

Actually, the way both Frazier and Simpson are talking it sounds as if attitude doesn't figure into it at all. It has to do with Simpson truly being healthy enough to play.

Back injuries are nothing to take lightly. If Frazier isn't convinced that Simpson has done everything needed to be certain the injury is fixed, then Simpson probably won't play. I think Simpson gets that. But Simpson is understandably frustrated because he wants to play and get paid. Nothing more to it.

Quote:

Frazier also gave Jerome Simpson a "so far, so good" approval rating after the past two days of practice, noting that the speedy receiver seems to be past his back injury.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... ml?refer=y

Sounds as if Simpson may be good to go for the game against Arizona.

I've read several reports saying he'll start on Sunday.

next years draft? ponder needs to develop a deep ball before any of this becomes a serious conversation.

I think he has more PI yards than receiving yards.