Jerome Simpson’s first season with the Vikings last year was a disappointment but he could be among the team’s most pleasant surprises in 2013.
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier is expecting “big things” from the 27-year-old wide receiver who because of a suspension and injury started only 10 games and played in 12 last season. Built for speed, Simpson averaged 14.5 yards per catch with four touchdown receptions in 2011 playing for the Bengals. With the Vikings he averaged 10.5 yards with no touchdown catches.
With a developing third-year quarterback in Christian Ponder and the need for an effective deep passing game, the Vikings brought in Greg Jennings to be a big play guy but an effective Simpson can create a potent one-two combo. Ponder threw a 50 yard pass to Simpson in last Saturday night’s training camp scrimmage to preview the kind of deep threat potential the Vikings have.
Last week and prior to that scrimmage Frazier was praising Simpson. “…He looks like the Jerome we had a year ago at this time. He was doing some very good things for us last preseason, and he had done some good things in camp, and then we had to fill the time for the suspension. Then he came back, played a game, and then he was injured and never really got on track after that.
“But we are seeing a guy right now that I think can help our football team and really make a difference for us in the passing game. He’s having a very, very good camp. His attitude has been great. It’s been great watching him get in and out of routes in the passing game and we are expecting big things out of him this year. We just need to keep him on the field and keep him healthy.”
Simpson missed three games last season because the NFL suspended him for violating league substance abuse policy. Simpson told Sports Headliners last September he recognized the need to change. “Just getting back to the old Jerome Simpson, and just being myself and not getting out of character,” Simpson said. “Just always staying humble and doing the right thing.”
Wide receivers coach George Stewart said earlier this summer that while Simpson was slowed by a foot injury in 2012 he can be a contributor, and not just catching passes. “He’s a young man, if he’s healthy (he) will help us in the vertical game, but (he) also has been a good leader,” Stewart said after watching Simpson in spring activities.
Starting his sixth pro season in September, Simpson has much to prove to himself and the Vikings. He has only a one year contract so there’s extra incentive to have a productive season, and perhaps become a breakthrough player on an offense that also has plenty to prove.
Worth Noting
It will be no surprise if Texans superstar defensive end J.J. Watt doesn’t play or sees only a few series on the field Friday night when Houston meets the Vikings in the opening preseason game for both teams. Watt, who had 20.5 sacks last season, dislocated his left elbow about a year ago. He acknowledged soreness on Sunday and will wear the same mammoth black brace on the elbow used in 2012.
The Texans plan to announce today their division of quarterback reps for the game. Matt Schaub is the starter. Christian Ponder is expected to play at least a few series for the Vikings as their No. 1 quarterback.
The Texans training camp is in Houston where temperatures this week have been at or near 100 degrees.
The Vikings have 32 new players on their 90-man roster since the end of last season. Along with nine draft choices, the Vikings have nine free agents and 14 undrafted free agents.
Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier and Texans head coach Gary Kubiak were teammates at Rice University.
The Vikings are promoting awareness of the NFL’s new game day policy limiting the size and types of bags allowed in league stadiums. More information for fans is available at NFL.com/allclear.
When the Gophers play UNLV at TCF Bank Stadium on August 29 it will be Minnesota’s first home season opener since 2008. The Gophers are set to open seasons at home on future schedules including 2014-2016.
If defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman is named All-Big Ten after this season he will be the first Gophers player so honored since Eric Decker in 2009. Since 2006 Minnesota has only two other All-Big Ten players, Matt Spaeth in 2006 and Willie VanDeSteeg in 2008.
Quoting Collegefootballnews.com in its Big Ten preview story: “Minnesota could very, very quietly be dangerous. Jerry Kill might not have a whole bunch of flash, but his team should be more than just competitive.”
Two of the best prep seniors in the state will lead their teams in the annual Timberwolves Shootout at Target Center January 4. Guard Tyus Jones and Apple Valley will play Blue Valley Northwest High School from Overland, Kansas. Forward Reid Travis and DeLaSalle will meet St. Rita High School from Chicago. Also, Cretin-Derham Hall will face Bettendorf High School from Bettendorf, Iowa. Grand Rapids, featuring junior center Alex Illikainen, will play against a team yet to be determined.
Jones’ younger brother Tre Jones is a gifted playmaker but is even a better defensive player. Tre, who as an eighth grader might play for the Apple Valley varsity next season, is a great on-ball defender.
The Saints new baseball park in Saint Paul’s Lowertown might command a $750,000 to $1 million per year naming rights fee, according to a sports industry source.
Timberwolves Shootout: Grand Rapids will play Lakeville North, led by JP Macura, a Gopher recruit.