This guy is going to deserve his own thread, mark my words.
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JSOnline link 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.