Let the Healing Begin for Chris Cook and Jerome Simpson
By Dan Zinski
A bunch of Vikings have reported for offseason work outs. This is great news for the media who, with the draft now over and Caleb King released, pretty much have nothing to report about. Well okay except the stadium, Amy Senser and the Saints Bountygate suspensions. But other than THAT…
But seriously. I’m sure reporters are thrilled to have players back in the building so they can get some quotes to build their columns around. Speaking of quotes, did you hear what Chris Cook and Jerome Simpson had to say in their first statements to the media? Funny you should ask because I happen to have their words right here in front of me.
Chris Cook, when asked about returning to the fold after last year’s arrest and suspension: “I feel like I have to earn [my teammates’] trust again. I definitely let them down last year by being in the situation I was in and missing the 10 games. I’m really looking forward to earning their trust and being a contributing factor to the team.”
Jerome Simpson, when asked about his arrest for selling marijuana and the three game suspension it earned him (which he will have to serve the first three games of the season): “Everybody knows that that wasn’t my character, what happened, and it’s basically just prove it. You can talk all you want to, but if you don’t prove it, it really doesn’t mean a hill of beans.”
Again, the first guy hit a woman and got off because she recanted her story. The second guy received a short jail sentence and probation on a drug charge. Both will have to be major contributors this year if the Vikings are going to improve on their 3-13 record from 2012.
That’s the NFL.
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