Jerome-mania

     I want to start off by saying that I have nothing against Jerome Simpson as a person. In fact, you have to pull for a guy that goes to a school like Coastal Carolina and instead of getting money for his jersey, he got money by delivering pizzas. To make it to the NFL, drafted in the 2nd round no less, takes talent and hard work.

     Having said that, he's been in the league for 3 years, and up until this season, he had one catch for two yards. In 2010, he "exploded" for 20 catches, 277 yards and 3 TDs. Not bad, though in 2009, Brandon Marshall had 21 catches for 200 yards and 2 scores... in one game. In his defense, Jerome basically did all of his magic in the last few games of the season, but the question needs asked, WHAT TOOK SO #$%& LONG?

     We've been keeping this guy on the roster, while letting other WRs go and bringing in tons of new faces. drafting seven wideouts, two tight ends, and bringing in TO and Antonio Bryant since drafting Jerome Simpson. The Bengals have desperatly been looking for more weapons and a future successor to Chad Ochocinco as the number one wideout.

     Side Note: Not that it matters, but if the Bengals had drafted small size DeSean Jackson over small school Jerome Simpson, we would have our big play guy. And if we would have made a better offer to Mike Vick, we wouldn't be discussing Carson at all. Of course, two years ago I would have thought bringing in Vick would have been dumb. And maybe Chad's antics paired with DeSean's unpredictability would have been volitile. Hindsight 20/20 I guess.

      Ok, so why all the Jersome Simpson talk? Well, certain retailers are now carrying Jerome Simpson jerseys and having him do autograph signings. Really? Twenty-one catches in three seasons makes you marketable? After the team you play for drafted a guy at the same position in the top 5 of the draft? All I'm saying is maybe we should cool off Jerome-mania.

     And I'll say it right here, if Jerome Simpson has any of the following, 10 TDs in a season, 1,000 yards in a season, or 100 catches in a season, I will wear a Jerome Simpson jersey for an entire week. And if he makes a Pro Bowl, I will hand write an apology for this article and deliver it in person. And if Jerome Simpson makes the Hall of Fame, I will legally rename myself "Jersome Simpson's Number One Fan".