Jerome Simpson Interview

[Demi]

A possession receiver is known for their route running and good hands and ability to make the tough catches. Guys you can rely on to catch it if it hits there hands even if they're going across the middle get hit by 12 guys concussed and die on the field.

Moss was hardly a possession receiver

[Rus]

Moss had excellent vision and pretty good hands. Don't take my word for that, ask Tom Brady.

Moss wasn't really a slot receiver, he was a big possession receiver with speed. He kinda redefined the position, at least in his first 5 seasons. If you grade a possession receiver by the number of catches he gets, the numbers are deceptive because Moss frequently played alongside another guy who caught a lot of short-medium range passes. In 2002 and 2003, however, when Moss didn't have a very good complementary receiver AND he was healthy for the whole season, Moss was catching over a hundred passes a year. He lost a step later on and became kind of a better than average possession receiver, with only one year getting close to 100 catches again. But still, if you're getting over 100 catches, you're wandering into Cris Carter territory and that guy was the definition of a traditional possession receiver.

I think comparing Jerome Simpson to Randy Moss is really unfair. Simpson is basically a guy who can run and jump who doesn't have anywhere near the vision or hands that Randy Moss had. Simpson is a traditional deep threat. Moss was all of the above. In his prime, that guy was incredible and I can't believe there are people who call themselves Viking fans who don't have an age excuse that don't comprehend that fact.

SEASON TEAM GP REC TGTS YDS AVG LNG TD FD FUM LST
2003 16 111 - 1,632 14.7 72 17 76 1 1

[King James]

"Possession" has nothing to do with running routes. Possession -The state of having, owning, or controlling something. In our case it's the football. Possession WRs are who are very reliable when it comes to catching the ball and with often get the ball on 3rd downs. Now some possession WRs can run routes but running routes is not "possessing the the football." It just means you're good with your feet and have the ability to get some separation with your feet.

[The Breeze]

I 've always considered the term "possession receiver" to be applied to guys that don't have that home run ability but excelled on getting the tough yards over the middle or on the sideline on 3rd downs especially. guys who you went to so your team kept possession of the ball. guys who make catches in traffic, as they're falling out of bounds or diving to the ground.

Kyle Rudolph is someone I would categorize as a possession receiver.

[King James]

I 've always considered the term "possession receiver" to be applied to guys that don't have that home run ability but excelled on getting the tough yards over the middle or on the sideline on 3rd downs especially. guys who you went to so your team kept possession of the ball. guys who make catches in traffic, as they're falling out of bounds or diving to the ground.

Kyle Rudolph is someone I would categorize as a possession receiver.

That's basically a good way to put it. Because most possession WRs do play in the slot and run routes in the middle. The only key difference is possession WRs wont drop the ball as easy. I dont think Jerome Simpson has that ability to go up and catch balls in traffic like that.

And someone said that Moss wasn't a possession WR just because all he did was streak down the field and catch it. I think as long as you're able to leap in the air and catch the ball in traffic, you qualify as a possession WR.

[dead_poet]

Likely an ego rub/public show of confidence. He's not that obtuse, even if the injury was a factor. Back didn't prevent the poor routes, no room on the sideline to throw and drops.
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Jerome Simpson - WR - Vikings

GM Rick Speilman suggested he expects Jerome Simpson to be the Vikings' starting split end.

The Vikings are blaming back woes for Simpson's humiliating 2012 campaign, essentially giving him a pass. "We've seen some of the things he did in Cincinnati," Speilman said. "We thought he was one of those young receivers that was on the come." This sounds like wishful thinking from a general manager desperate at the wideout position.

Adding Greg Jennings certainly helps, but the Vikes should strongly consider adding competition for Simpson with one of their two first-round picks in April's draft.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities Mar 19 - 12:13 PM

[The Breeze]

Likely an ego rub/public show of confidence. He's not that obtuse, even if the injury was a factor. Back didn't prevent the poor routes, no room on the sideline to throw and drops.
___

Jerome Simpson - WR - Vikings

GM Rick Speilman suggested he expects Jerome Simpson to be the Vikings' starting split end.

The Vikings are blaming back woes for Simpson's humiliating 2012 campaign, essentially giving him a pass. "We've seen some of the things he did in Cincinnati," Speilman said. "We thought he was one of those young receivers that was on the come." This sounds like wishful thinking from a general manager desperate at the wideout position.

Adding Greg Jennings certainly helps, but the Vikes should strongly consider adding competition for Simpson with one of their two first-round picks in April's draft.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities Mar 19 - 12:13 PM

i see him starting too...since anyone else will be a rookie. i can't imagine a possibility where they don't grab a WR in the 1st 3 picks.

[Mothman]

All I can say is Simpson is starting at split end, it had better be because he played well and beat out a talented rookie for the job. I hope you're right and Spielman's comments are just a public show of confidence.

[Cliff]

All I can say is Simpson is starting at split end, it had better be because he played well and beat out a talented rookie for the job. I hope you're right and Spielman's comments are just a public show of confidence.

In my mind Simpson is already at least 3rd on the depth chart behind Jennings and Wright. I only see him moving down as the season moves and rookies get their chance.

Hopefully he'll be at full health this season and we will really see what he can do ... but I'm not holding my breath.

[Eli]

All I can say is Simpson is starting at split end, it had better be because he played well and beat out a talented rookie for the job. I hope you're right and Spielman's comments are just a public show of confidence.

What talented rookie would that be? We have no idea if the Vikings will still target a WR in the first couple of rounds. Unless the Vikings get extraordinarily lucky, a healthy Jerome Simpson should _easily_ beat out any late 3rd round rookie taken in the draft.

Additionally, it may also mean that Jennings has been penciled in as the starting slot receiver. I'm sure he'll be moved around, but I bet we see him lined up in the slot quite a bit. If the Vikings end up with a WR corps consisting of Jennings, Simpson, Wright and a rookie burner, I doubt that Jarius Wright will be the starting slot receiver.

[Mothman]

What talented rookie would that be?

Your guess is as good as mine.

We have no idea if the Vikings will still target a WR in the first couple of rounds. Unless the Vikings get extraordinarily lucky, a healthy Jerome Simpson should _easily_ beat out any late 3rd round rookie taken in the draft.

Additionally, it may also mean that Jennings has been penciled in as the starting slot receiver. I'm sure he'll be moved around, but I bet we see him lined up in the slot quite a bit. If the Vikings end up with a WR corps consisting of Jennings, Simpson, Wright and a rookie burner, I doubt that Jarius Wright will be the starting slot receiver.

It's tough to say. The Vikings are (wisely) talking about moving Jennings around so he may not have much of a designated position other than WR. If they add a rookie burner, my guess is that player, Wright and Simpson will all be used situationally with only Jennings on the field a majority of the time but who knows? With Felton returning, if Carlson or Ellison begin making more catches there might not even be a "starting" slot receiver. We could see more 2 WR sets. It will be interesting to see what Musgrave has up his sleeve.