Minnesota Vikings Sign Former Bengals WR Jerome Simpson

The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly come to terms on a deal with former Bengals WR Jerome Simpson.

Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com reports that Simpson has signed a one-year contract with the Vikings but will sit out the first three games of the season after being suspended by the league under its substance abuse policy.

Simpson, who is probably most famous for his front-flipping touchdown catch in a game against the Arizona Cardinals in 2011, has been considered somewhat of a bust after being drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft.

2011 was by far Simpson's most productive year, as he recorded 50 receptions for 725 yards and four touchdowns.

Simpson was arrested and reportedly sentenced to 15 days in jail and three years' probation for felony marijuana possession in his Kentucky home after the 2011 season. Because it was his first offense and other circumstances of the case, Simpson was only suspended by the NFL for three games instead of the standard four games, according to The Enquirer's Joe Reedy.

It would be safe to say that Simpson will not be a No. 1 receiver for the Vikings, but he does possess fantastic athleticism and will provide some competition for young players and bottom-dwellers in camp.

Simpson's one-year contract likely has the same motivation as many of the Vikings' other offseason acquisitions this year: a "show me" contract.

Should Simpson play well for the Vikings in 2012 and avoid trouble with the law, he may warrant a second contract (no pun intended).

Regardless, he and Vikings receiver Percy Harvin might be able to pull off a nickname like "the high-fliers." OK, that time the pun was intended.

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