MassPackersFan
16 years ago
This guy is going to deserve his own thread, mark my words.

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No tempering his enthusiasm
Free agent receiver eager to play with Jennings again

By Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Apr. 27, 2009

Green Bay - Not only did wide receiver Jamarko Simmons play alongside Greg Jennings at Western Michigan, he broke three of his records.

The Green Bay Packers have added at least 10 free agents, including five wide receivers, since the National Football League draft ended late Sunday afternoon and Simmons looks to be one of the most promising.

Simmons, 6 feet 2 inches and 231 pounds, caught 104 passes last season to break Jennings' school mark of 98 that he established in 2005. He also eclipsed Jennings' mark of 238 total catches with 260 and his record for 1,259 yards in a season with 1,276 in '08.

"It was definitely an honor to surpass Greg Jennings," Simmons said Monday. "Now I get a chance to play with him. It was a pretty difficult day when I didn't see my name called, but the Lord put me in this spot. I just have to take advantage of it now."

A year ago, Simmons looked like just another good collegiate possession receiver when he clocked 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash. But he became a legitimate prospect when he ran 4.51.

"He kind of awakened everybody when he had his pro day," Johnny Meads, a scout for the Tennessee Titans, said in early April. "A bunch of people have him as a possible tweener, an H-back or tight end type after he played wide receiver at Western, but he's a definite wide receiver for our level.

"I really liked the way he caught the ball. He has excellent, excellent hands. People didn't think he had the speed you might want but at his pro day he showed he has enough speed to be a viable draft pick, perhaps in the mid-rounds."

After not being selected, Simmons' agent brought him a list of eight teams that called after the draft, including Baltimore, Cleveland, Green Bay, New Orleans, the New York Jets, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Tennessee.

"My agent said six wanted to sign me," Simmons said. "I took Green Bay because I would be able to be with my mentor, Greg Jennings. Also, I'd have a chance to play on the most storied franchise and field in NFL history. I've always dreamed about doing a Lambeau Leap and my family wearing Cheeseheads. Just being a part of that is unforgettable."

Simmons was a backup running back in 2004 and '05 when Jennings was tearing up the Mid-American Conference. He moved to wide receiver in '06 and improved his numbers in the next three seasons.

In November 2007, Simmons was thrown out of a November game in the first quarter against archrival Central Michigan for trying to kick an opposing player and then refusing to leave the field.

Simmons already had been mentored by Jennings' father, Greg, the pastor at Progressive Deliverance Ministries in Kalamazoo. They discussed ways to manage his temper.

"For a while I was kind of an up-and-down kind of guy as far as I how handled my business," Simmons said. "As I talked to Mr. Jennings and Greg and Coach (Bill Cubit), I really mellowed down a lot and ended up being way more productive."

Even without Simmons, a mediocre Western Michigan team had a chance to upset the Chippewas before falling, 34-31.

"It really taught me something as far as understanding my role as a team member," Simmons said. "Just knowing that I let 104 guys down, it really took a toll on me. Football is going to get emotional. We all know that. But there's a time and a place for everything."

Simmons refers to the Packers Jennings as like a brother. He cant wait for Jennings to give him some individual pointers on NFL route-running.

Meanwhile, the Packers waived center Brennen Calvalho, who was in camp last summer and on the practice squad all season.

In addition to the 10 players signed as free agents, the Packers have been busily lining up players for weekend tryouts during the rookie orientation camp that begins Friday.

Among the players set to audition for the Packers are tight end Branden Ledbetter (6-5, 250) of Western Michigan, quarterbacks Brian Johnson (6-0, 211) of Utah and David Johnson (6-1, 219) of Tulsa and defensive end Dean Muhtadi (6-3, 288) of Maryland.

They will be joined by defensive end Rhyan Anderson (6-4, 283), from New Mexico State and Oak Creek High School, and center Scott Witte (6-5, 328) of UW-River Falls.

Wisconsin cornerback Allen Langford (5-9, 186) received a tryout offer from the Packers but, for now, is continuing to seek a free-agent contract.
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evad04
16 years ago
I'm still rooting for the Sioux Falls guy, JaRon Harris (S.Dakota State U) but this Simmons looks impressive.

He doesn't always finish plays the way Jennings does, but they look to have slightly different skill sets. Simmons does have good run after the catch, though. At the very least he has a nice combination of size, speed, good hands, and at least adequate route running ability. Good pickup for the Pack.
William Henderson didn't have to run people over. His preferred method was levitation.
"I'm a reasonable man, get off my case."
croxeye
16 years ago
Hmm hopefully Ted Thompson can sign Langford to our team, I think he will suprise some people with his abilities to be a shut down CB.

I like this guy but IMO he's a different type of WR than Jennings, but lets give him a shot!!!
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MassPackersFan
16 years ago
CB's in that Illinois game looked scared to tackle him. He just runs over them, or blasts them on the way down and gets an addition 3-5 yards after contact. Great sideline catches too.
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Nonstopdrivel
16 years ago
At 230 lbs, he's bigger than almost any CB in the league. He could probably play TE, or just run over guys in space. It would be fun to watch. He'd probably be pretty durable too, less prone to injury as some of those tiny receivers the NFL has going up for balls.
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Dulak
16 years ago
Be quite interesting to get him on the team - I bet him and jennings would compete and have a good ole time on the field
go.pack.go.
16 years ago
He's probably better than Ruvell Martin....
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mkapp
16 years ago
Reminds me of DD the way he goes across the middle. Great compliment to GJ. Should fit in well with the west coast offense, as many of those routes were mid-range that he stretched into big yards.
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British
15 years ago
I really hope this guy makes the team, based on his impressive college production and youtube clips.

He just bulldozes CBs, yet has great hands and feet (nice sideline catches).

Logjam at WR though, Brett Swain had a good OTA/minicamp, as did Heckendorf apparently. I can see us trying to stash one of them on IR and another on the PS. If we can get a draft pick for Ruvell it might be worth it if the depth behind him is good and has more upside.
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MassPackersFan
15 years ago
Released. Damn. I have a feeling he is going to show up on a team that doesn't have as deep of a WR group as we do and end up making an impact in a few years.
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