Vikings Banking On Jerome Simpson's Speed
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Vikings are looking to bolster their receiving corps. One of the guys the team is looking at for big plays is newcomer Jerome Simpson.
Simpson, 26, made NFL headlines for one play last season in which he did a front flip over a player and into the end zone. But in the off season, he found himself out of work...until the Vikings called.
"This organization, they believe in me," Simpson said. "I'm just blessed to have the opportunity to be able to come back and play football."
But the real opportunity Simpson needs is with Christian Ponder, the Vikings quarterback. What the Vikings learned last season is that it's tough to throw passes without a speedy receiver. That's where Simpson comes in. The team is hoping he is the find of the off season.
For now, Ponder seems impressed with his skill.
"The guy is unbelievable," Ponder said. "He's so athletic. I think he's going to be a great asset to our exposition."
Simpson does not lack for confidence, and the Vikings are hoping he has something to prove.
"I love to play football," Simpson said. "You're going to get 100 percent out of me all the time."
However, Simpson won't be playing immediately. He will be suspended for the first three games of the 2012 season, because of a felony drug charge he got for receiving marijuana in March.