TFD: Vikings release Jerome Simpson, and we bring you stories from when he signed

The Vikings announced at 5:45 p.m. that they have released troubled WR Jerome Simpson. That brings to an end a rocky tenure from 2012-present in which he caught 74 passes for exactly 1,000 yards with the Vikings. It was a rough go from the start, but the Vikings kept bringing him back on one-year deals — three times, including this season. Here are snippets from the Star Tribune stories when he signed his initial deal in 2012 and this most recent re-sign in 2014:

2012: Since free agency began in mid-March, the Vikings have been doing their research on Simpson, both impressed with his potential and aware of his baggage. In this case, the promise seemed far greater than the risk, especially with all the glowing character reviews the Vikings front office and coaching staff received from all directions as they assessed Simpson's recent troubles. "Every person we talked to stood by the kid's character," Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman said Tuesday. "Not standing by the mistake he made, but by what this kid's character is. And we saw that when we brought him in here on a visit."

2014: The Vikings re-signed wide receiver Jerome Simpson to a one-year deal Friday for the third consecutive offseason despite a possible suspension. An NFL spokesman said the league is reviewing a Nov. 9 arrest in Minneapolis after which Simpson pleaded guilty to careless driving and third-degree DWI charges. Simpson received 120 hours of community service in public schools and a one-year probation. Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman said there were "circumstances" in his arrest, and head coach Mike Zimmer, who has previously worked with Simpson in Cincinnati, spoke to him before the signing. "We felt confident enough and comfortable enough after the new coaching staff had met with him and understood the circumstances behind the last arrest that we re-signed him back to a one-year deal," Spielman said.