Bright spot: Jerome Simpson

[Eli]

It's a shame Ponder couldn't have made a better throw on that play. It would have been the longest TD pass of either of their careers.

[The Breeze]

Stewart may have just given Simpson a nickname the receiver probably doesn't want: Bambi.

In football, it's not bad to be a thumper but I'm not sure you want to be Bambi. You definitely don't want to be Dumbo.

Wasn't Lance Alworth of the Chargers nicknamed Bambi?

[Mothman]

Wasn't Lance Alworth of the Chargers nicknamed Bambi?

You're right! I forgot all about that. Maybe Bambi isn't such a bad nickname for a WR after all.

[Funkytown]

It's a shame Ponder couldn't have made a better throw on that play. It would have been the longest TD pass of either of their careers.

True. In addition to his performance on Sunday, I really like some of the stuff Simpson says. He is out to prove something, get better, and he wants to stick around. That's awesome. Also, he had praise for his QB. Basically said that he likes his attitude and his work ethic. He's always trying to get better and be the best that he can be, and he appreciates that about him. Now, everyone is going to have their opinions about that, but I think it was nice of him to say. I think anything helps at this point. It should help Ponder's confidence when people show that they have his back. I just really like the sense of "team" that I feel from this group.

[Eli]

I just really like the sense of "team" that I feel from this group.

Yeah, I do too. Except maybe for Adrian Peterson.

Peterson is on another level when compared to any of his teammates (now that Percy Harvin is gone), and he damn well knows it. He gives the impression of being on the hunt for personal records above all else. That's probably unintentional, and it certainly wouldn't hinder the team's success if he had another 2000 yard year, but the sound bites tend to be in marked contrast with what you hear out of his teammates. Peterson is a fierce competitor, but I honestly think he'd be happy never winning a ring in his career as long as he gets the all-time rushing yardage record.

[Captain]

Yeah, I do too. Except maybe for Adrian Peterson.

Peterson is on another level when compared to any of his teammates (now that Percy Harvin is gone), and he damn well knows it. He gives the impression of being on the hunt for personal records above all else. That's probably unintentional, and it certainly wouldn't hinder the team's success if he had another 2000 yard year, but the sound bites tend to be in marked contrast with what you hear out of his teammates. Peterson is a fierce competitor, but I honestly think he'd be happy never winning a ring in his career as long as he gets the all-time rushing yardage record.

I disagree. I think Peterson understands very well that its the team before his own records. Having said that though, there is no athlete in the world that doesn't dream of being called the Greatest of All Time. AD is no different. Jordan constantly spewed that stuff out and still to this day does. Its that drive to be better than everyone else around you and that passion that elevates athletes like AD, Jordan, Brady, Manning, Kobe, Pujols, or Montana, I could keep listing them but you get the idea. I see nothing wrong with a person believing in themselves and setting targets that seem unhuman. Off the field, everything I read about AD and how he interacts with the people around him makes him sound like a very nice guy. I think we, or at least myself, have been privileged to witness greatness year in and year out, and that too from our side of the sidelines and I really hope he doesn't change how he goes about things.

[The Breeze]

That wimpy deer?!?!?

If I remember correctly, Bambi grew up to be a big buck....with pointy antlers and everything.

[dead_poet]

That wimpy deer?!?!?

Sandlot? Nice.

[VikingLord]

I posted it in another thread, but I was very impressed by Simpson's play, especially how he responded after the early miscue. His effort was outstanding. He seemed to go the extra mile on every play and never gave up on anything. If he can keep this up the rest of the season he should earn serious pro bowl consideration.

One downside of Simpson's production is Patterson is apparently behind him on the depth chart:

And Cordarrelle is behind him [on the depth chart]. It’s hard taking Jerome out of the offense. It’s kind of like Michael Jordan shooting threes and then deciding to bring in the backup guard. But we’re going to get Cordarrelle more involved, obviously, this weekend.

that from http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 64331.html

Arg...

Musgrave, forget your dumb depth chart and get your best players on the field. Put Patterson in the backfield if you don't want to upset your precious depth chart, but you need to create mismatches and big plays. The Vikes drafted Patterson because he can do that. Stop making excuses and start making plans!

[S197]

He's certainly off to a good start but Simpson still has a lot to prove. Even Berrian had a good game once every blue moon.