Sid Hartman Really Likes Jerome Simpson

I mean really, really likes Jerome Simpson. Enough to declare him "another Cris Carter."

Now don't get me wrong, I like Simpson a lot, and think he's going to make a huge impact on the Minnesota offense when he gets here in Week 4. But Cris Carter should be in the Hall of Fame, and the fact that he's not is one of the biggest running jokes this side of The Muppet Show, but let's be real here. It's way too early in the game to be making that comparison.

Simpson and Carter aren't even really the same type of receiver. The Vikings expect Simpson to be their deep threat and stretch the field, while Carter was the classic possession receiver that could run any route and catch anything that was thrown his way. Now, if Simpson can have that sort of impact. . .and there's no reason to think that he can't. . .then maybe we can start talking about him in those kinds of super glowing terms.

Obviously Simpson has talent. . .guys don't get to be second-round picks in the NFL Draft without it. He came out of the noted football factory known as Coastal Carolina (the school that might have the coolest nickname in college sports, the Chanticleers), and between injuries and adjustments to NFL competition, he has made significant strides in his four years in the NFL. As the video there says, the Bengals didn't let Simpson go because of questions about his talent.

Simpson is in Minnesota on a one-year deal. My hope is that he blows up to the point where he can get a rich, long-term deal with the team and be here for the long haul. Maybe then he can be "another Cris Carter."