Jerome Simpson Targeted A Lot To Establish Him?

[Just Me]

To me as well. I've never really thought of him as some deep speed guy, or a big guy who can out jump people down the field. Does he have a large number of deep receptions or what reason is there to believe he's a real down field threat? Guess I'm missing it. (Not being down on him, the only issue I had was not signing him to a longer deal...)

Here is an interesting article from ESPN. There were a couple of interesting quotes:

Simpson is the best of an otherwise middling group of downfield receivers, but he is not an All-Pro. He will make the Vikings a better offense, but to expect him to alter any fundamental dynamics would have been unrealistic and unfair.

The other part of the article I found interesting was one that addressed whether or not Ponder really is substandard with respect to throwing the ball deep. I had raised the question in another thread, but there was no respone as to whether or not he throws the ball "downfield" any more or less than the "average" quarterback.

Ponder's average throw of 5.6 yards past the line of scrimmage is the NFL's lowest. Finally, Ponder is one of two qualified NFL starters who hasn't thrown a single pass longer than 31 yards. All figures from ESPN Stats & Information.

The point the article was making was that the Vikings were having some measure of success with their offensive strategy/philosophy. To expect the sudden appearance of Simpson to fundmentally change our offensive strategy probably isnt going to happen.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Ponder's average throw of 5.6 yards past the line of scrimmage is the NFL's lowest. Finally, Ponder is one of two qualified NFL starters who hasn't thrown a single pass longer than 31 yards. All figures from ESPN Stats & Information.

Maybe I am taking this quote by ESPN the wrong way, but honestly, who cares if Ponder hasn't thrown a pass more than 31 yards? We are winning right now. In my personal opinion, this is just a statement in an attempt to belittle what Ponder has actually accomplished this season. I know not everyone feels the same way about Ponder as I do, and that is just fine, but FFS the guy is at least getting better. To belittle him for not having a deep passing attack when A) We haven't had outside threats to establish the deep ball and B) When our offensive game plan isn't contingent on establishing the deep ball is a little unfair.

[Purple bruise]

the truth is you guys have no idea what simpson can do, and he wasn't utilized properly in cincinatti so give the guy a chance for god sake. demi you are the most pessimistic person on these boards, by far. ponder is improving, whether you want to admit it or not. the weak spot on this team is the defense, they are laughable.

Plus he is a great actor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgoz9CwH ... re=related

I am glad that he is aboard with the Vikes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1M-0ra76tI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geqc8BDJ ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoucVKKJpoA

[Mothman]

The point the article was making was that the Vikings were having some measure of success with their offensive strategy/philosophy. To expect the sudden appearance of Simpson to fundmentally change our offensive strategy probably isnt going to happen.

Nor should it as long as this strategy keeps working.Simpson's return should add something to the offense but it shouldn't fundamentally change it.

Maybe I am taking this quote by ESPN the wrong way, but honestly, who cares if Ponder hasn't thrown a pass more than 31 yards? We are winning right now. In my personal opinion, this is just a statement in an attempt to belittle what Ponder has actually accomplished this season.

I honestly don't think Siefert was trying to belittle Ponder but I do think the media, and some fans, have seriously overplayed this "average yards the ball travelled from the line of scrimmage" stat in regard to Ponder. It's just not important, at least not now. After all, the point of a pass play is to gain yardage. How far the ball travels in the air matters a lot less than how much yardage is gained. Ponder's yards per attempt ranking is quite good, which indicates the passing strategy the Vikes are using has been effective.

Jim

[Lash Man]

To me as well. I've never really thought of him as some deep speed guy, or a big guy who can out jump people down the field. Does he have a large number of deep receptions or what reason is there to believe he's a real down field threat? Guess I'm missing it. (Not being down on him, the only issue I had was not signing him to a longer deal...)

I recall the first days of minicamp Ponder was gushing that Simpson was faster than anyone we had .

[losperros]

To me as well. I've never really thought of him as some deep speed guy, or a big guy who can out jump people down the field. Does he have a large number of deep receptions or what reason is there to believe he's a real down field threat? Guess I'm missing it. (Not being down on him, the only issue I had was not signing him to a longer deal...)

The Vikings don't need Simpson to run downfield 50 yards on every play. It would be a waste of his skills and it would one-note his contribution. I like the fact that Simpson is good at getting YAC because of his speed and shiftiness.

Sure, Simpson definitely does add a downfield threat to the team. Who else can do it?

Except for Harvin, who do you want to go to for a big play among the WRs? I'll take Simpson every time over Jenkins, Burton, or even Aromashodu.

[Demi]

It's just not important, at least not now.

No, it'll be important when the games really matter...which is what I'm worried about more than anything else...

[Mothman]

No, it'll be important when the games really matter...which is what I'm worried about more than anything else...

I understand your concern but they'll just have to cross that bridge when they come to it. If teams are able to take away the short passing game, the Vikes will need to test them over the top. They've been saying they're taking what defenses give them. If defenses start cheating too close to the line and "giving" them routes that go further downfield, perhaps the Vikes will be able to successfully open up the passing game and burn them.

[Just Me]

I honestly don't think Siefert was trying to belittle Ponder but I do think the media, and some fans, have seriously overplayed this "average yards the ball travelled from the line of scrimmage" stat in regard to Ponder. It's just not important, at least not now. After all, the point of a pass play is to gain yardage. How far the ball travels in the air matters a lot less than how much yardage is gained. Ponder's yards per attempt ranking is quite good, which indicates the passing strategy the Vikes are using has been effective.

Jim

I tend to agree with this assessment. It would be like questioning Adrian Peterson's performance if he doesn't get as many runs over 60 yards as Barry Sanders did. "All Peterson does is run for 4 to 6 yards every down." It matters little that Peterson is not having many 60+ yard runs as long as he is always getting first downs. At the end of the day, whether it is a shortcoming on Ponder's current skill set, or a coaching strategy, other unknown factors, or a combination thereof, the Vikings approach has shown an overall (in terms of winning so far this season, anyway) improvement and success.

I think the reason it gets focus is there is a certain amount of concern that Ponder can't throw the deep ball effectively with any consistency and therefore, he will fail in critical situations when he needs to make those throws. I don't share that concern simply due to the fact that despite his limited attempts, any time he has absolutely had to make the long throw, he has delivered.

[losperros]

I'm looking at it the same way right now. Actually, any team with Adrian Peterson as their RB is going to face defenses stacking the box. The Vikings need to make the opposing Ds pay for that. I'm hoping that having explosive guys like Harvin and Simpson on the field could provide some extreme payback for the 8-man in the box defenses that the Vikings are bound to see. This becomes even more true as Peterson returns to his normal great self.

[Mothman]

I'm looking at it the same way right now. Actually, any team with Adrian Peterson as their RB is going to face defenses stacking the box. The Vikings need to make the opposing Ds pay for that. I'm hoping that having explosive guys like Harvin and Simpson on the field could provide some extreme payback for the 8-man in the box defenses that the Vikings are bound to see. This becomes even more true as Peterson returns to his normal great self.

I agree and you can see that he's gradually getting there. I don't know if he'll get back to 100% this season or if we'll have to wait until next but he's playing well. They were marveling at him on NFC Playbook this week. Brian Baldinger referred to an 8 yard run peterson had against the 49ers as the best run he's seen this year. It was impressive. Peterson made jump cuts, changed direction and showed real strength on the play, you can see him gaining confidence as the season moves forward. I'd love to see him have a big game this week and force the Lions to play up. Their secondary is struggling so if that happens, the Vikes might be able to hit some big plays down the field.

I wonder if Wright will play this week?

Jim

[losperros]

I agree and you can see that he's gradually getting there. I don't know if he'll get back to 100% this season or if we'll have to wait until next but he's playing well. They were marveling at him on NFC Playbook this week. Brian Baldinger referred to an 8 yard run peterson had against the 49ers as the best run he's seen this year. It was impressive. Peterson made jump cuts, changed direction and showed real strength on the play, you can see him gaining confidence as the season moves forward. I'd love to see him have a big game this week and force the Lions to play up. Their secondary is struggling so if that happens, the Vikes might be able to hit some big plays down the field.

I wonder if Wright will play this week?

As you know, I really want Wright to play. Admittedly, I have no idea if what I saw of his college game will translate to the pro game. But if it does, then he'll be another playmaker for the Vikings offense. And Wright showed in college that he can go deep, if need be. The Vikings need more weaponry from their WR corps. I think both Simpson and Wright can help them with that.

As for Peterson, I'm amazed at what I've seen from him this year. His will to recover is blow away impressive. There have been several plays where he was an eyelash from breaking open a big TD run. Give him a few more weeks of improvement and AD will be breaking similar runs wide open. Can't have too many playmakers!

[glg]

personal attacks have been removed, please keep it on topic

[Mothman]

As you know, I really want Wright to play. Admittedly, I have no idea if what I saw of his college game will translate to the pro game. But if it does, then he'll be another playmaker for the Vikings offense. And Wright showed in college that he can go deep, if need be.

He did it in the preseason too, although that was against lesser competition.

Vikings need more weaponry from their WR corps. I think both Simpson and Wright can help them with that.

Wright has the athleticism to be a playmaker. Musgrave has been pretty imaginative in finding ways to get the ball to Harvin so I would think he could find ways to get Wright involved and hopefully, Wright's athleticism would shine through.

As for Peterson, I'm amazed at what I've seen from him this year. His will to recover is blow away impressive. There have been several plays where he was an eyelash from breaking open a big TD run. Give him a few more weeks of improvement and AD will be breaking similar runs wide open. Can't have too many playmakers!

Amen to that!

Peterson is amazing, a truly rare player. The last RB I can recall seeing with such a remarkable combination of strength, speed and pure athletic ability was Bo Jackson... and I think AD is better (not that I'm biased or anything).

[CalVike]

As for Peterson, I'm amazed at what I've seen from him this year. His will to recover is blow away impressive. There have been several plays where he was an eyelash from breaking open a big TD run. Give him a few more weeks of improvement and AD will be breaking similar runs wide open. Can't have too many playmakers!

Amen to that!

Peterson is amazing, a truly rare player. The last RB I can recall seeing with such a remarkable combination of strength, speed and pure athletic ability was Bo Jackson... and I think AD is better (not that I'm biased or anything).

While these accolades have strong basis in fact, Craig and Jim, they are solely based on past years. His performance this year has been merely pedestrian, and truly something far less than his standards. It may well be borne out over the 16-game season that he came back far too soon. That said, the team has come out much stronger than expected on offense so perhaps they can keep the pitch count down for the whole season, with the offense still successful.

Dave