Northwestern back Sutton agrees to deal
By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Apr. 26, 2009
Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers didn't draft a running back but they got one soon after the seven-round selection process was completed.
The Packers won a five-team competition to sign Tyrell Sutton, a small but versatile running back from Northwestern University. Sutton, who stands 5 feet 7 inches and weighs 213 pounds, ran a 4.71-second 40-yard dash during his pro day workout.
In order to get Sutton to agree to a three-year deal, the Packers paid him a modest signing bonus, according to his agent, Alonzo Shavers.
"It's a great place to go compete," Shavers said. "The big thing was that the Packers held to their word that they wouldn't draft another player at the position. They really wanted him. We evaluated the situation and were excited for Tyrell to be there. We think he fits great."
Sutton, who registered a vertical jump of 30 inches and did 12 repetitions on the bench press, was Ohio's Mr. Football as a high school senior and was a freshman All-American at Northwestern after rushing for 1,476 yards his first season.
Sutton had two serious injures - to an ankle in 2007 and a broken wrist in 2008 - that sidetracked him. When he was healthy last season, Sutton rushed for 890 yards with 305 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.
Sutton could fill a need as a third-down back for the Packers, but he'll have to compete with Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn, both of whom have experience blocking out of the backfield.
In addition to Sutton, the Packers agreed to terms with:
Western Michigan wide receiver Jamarko Simmons, according to his agent, Cary Fabrikant. The 6-2, 231-pound Simmons is a former teammate of Packers receiver Greg Jennings and reportedly ran a 4.5-second 40-yard dash.
North Dakota State wide receiver Kole Heckendorf, according to his agent, Christopher Murray. The Mosinee native caught 178 passes for 2,732 yards and 17 touchdowns in college.
Michigan tight end Carson Butler, according to his agent, Don Yee. Butler is 6-5, 250 pounds and ran the 40 in 4.72 seconds.
Trying out: The Packers are giving the lesser known of two former Oak Creek High School standouts a chance to make it in the NFL.
Defensive end Rhyan Anderson, a former high school teammate of Wisconsin tight end and New York Giants draft pick Travis Beckum's, has received an invitation from the Packers to take part in their rookie camp this weekend on a tryout.
Anderson, who was highly recruited out of Oak Creek and played at the University of Miami, wound up at New Mexico State. He has had two major shoulder operations but said Sunday night that he was completely healthy.
He said he would attend the tryout but added that he was still waiting to hear from his agent about an opportunity to sign a contract with another team.
The Packers are also bringing UW-River Falls center Scott Witte, a native of Cedarburg, in for a tryout. The 6-5, 328-pound Witte started for 3 years for River Falls.
Also, the Packers are bringing in Western Michigan tight end Brandon Ledbetter for a tryout.
Welcome back: When Ryan Pickett returns from vacation, there likely will be a message waiting for him from coach Mike McCarthy.
The subject? The potential for him to move from his customary spot at nose tackle to end in certain situations, a shift made possible after the drafting of B.J. Raji.
I think Ryan Pickett can go out and play end, McCarthy said when asked about the position in general. You forget about his foot quickness and his agility. He may not look like the most prototype 3-4 defensive end, but thats definitely a position we will talk to Ryan (about) when he gets back from vacation.