Hello Jordan Shipley, Jerome Simpson, and Andre Caldwell? Is this really going to happen, a changing of the guard? After a surprise win against San Diego in Week 16, it just might.
There are plenty of unanswered questions in Cincinnati, ie: Palmer staying or going, Marvin Lewis staying or going, Cedric Benson staying or going?
Dynasty owners, don’t wait to see what happens, take fliers on Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell now! Yes, they might have the unproven gunslinger, Dan LeFevour, throwing them that ball and have the quick and elusive Bernard Scott carrying the ball, but the Bengals still need playmakers.
For three long years, Jerome Simpson has been waiting for his turn. The second round pick in 2008 from Coastal Carolina has never been short on raw talent, but perhaps he has refined his game enough with the example of his Week 16 explosion against the Chargers. Simpson on 7 targets had 6 receptions for 124 yards and 2 TDs. It is not like the Chargers have a weak passing defense.
Andre Caldwell, or as my friend Cecil Lammey likes to refer to him as simply ”Bubba”, has also pulled himself from the unrostered free agent dynasty ashes and has produced in the last two weeks with almost the same byline: Week 15, 4 catches for 89 yards on 6 targets and Week 16, 4 catches for 87 yards on 5 targets. Similar to Simpson drafted in 2008, Caldwell was a third round pick from pass happy Florida. Unlike Simpson, Caldwell produced in spurts last year and may be the more consistent of the two WRs.
The future could be bright for Simpson and Caldwell, along with rookie WR Jordan Shipley, depending on the QB situation and the coaching staff for 2011. Dynasty owners should take a low-cost gamble on one of both of these young WRs as someone will need to step up for the Bengals in 2011.
