One of the highlights of the 49ers' second day of training camp practice was a 40-yard touchdown strike down the sideline from QB Blaine Gabbert to WR Jerome Simpson. That was on Monday. On Tuesday, head coach Chip Kelly acknowledged that Simpson, who enters his eighth year in the NFL and his second with the 49ers, is one to watch.
"Simpson's touchdown catch served as a promising sign his erratic, eighth-year career could be back on track," said Cam Inman of Bay Area Sports Group following Monday's practice.
Simpson, who spent the first six games of the 2015 season suspended for violating the league's policy and program for substances of abuse, doesn't have a lack of confidence in regards to his ability to be a playmaker for the 49ers. "I feel like the iron is hot right now and it's my time to strike," Simpson said Monday. "I come every day with juice and show coaches I can play for them. I'm a guy that's going to make big plays for us."
Simpson has always been described as a "practices well" player, but one that would disappear once he got on the field. He will have every opportunity to fight for playing time this season as Kelly described the wide receiver competition as "really wide open." Kelly stated that, despite his age (30), he runs around the practice field like one of the youngest guys in the group.
Simpson's best season came in 2013 when he had 48 receptions for 726 yards and a touchdown with the Minnesota Vikings. That was an average of over 15 yards-per-catch. That's the type of production that the 49ers could really use out of him this season. It will be interesting to see what the final wide receiver depth chart looks when all is said and done. Simpson is certainly making a case that he should not be buried on that depth chart.
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