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Cincinnati Bengals
Simpson anxious to produce early
Sunday, June 01, 2008
CINCINNATI — Wide receiver Jerome Simpson's first move as a Cincinnati Bengal came inside the locker room, not on the field.
The second-round draft pick settled into his temporary metal dressing stall, reserved for rookies, then took a walk across the massive, football-shaped room to the lockers occupied by Pro Bowlers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Extras
"I went over and looked at Chad's locker, then I looked at T.J.'s locker," Simpson said. "I told myself, 'One of these days, coming up soon, one of these lockers is going to be mine. I'm going to work hard so I can get on that field and have one of these lockers.' "
The selection of the 6-foot-2, 199-pounder from NCAA Division I-AA Coastal Carolina at No. 46 overall stunned draft experts, because the Bengals passed on some talented receivers from big-name schools — DeSean Jackson (California), Limas Sweed (Texas) and Malcolm Kelly (Oklahoma).
Simpson wasn't surprised. After all, he caught 157 passes for 2,636 yards (a 16.8-yard average) and 43 touchdowns in 44 games for the Chanticleers.
"I don't think I was a reach," Simpson said. "I got picked where I was supposed to be at. It doesn't matter if you go to a small school or a big school. If you've got talent, they're going to find you."
Simpson is a fast, rangy, athletic receiver with soft hands. He wears uniform number 89.
"You can see the speed — the explosive speed — and that's good to see on the practice field," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. "You see it right away. He's shown good with his athleticism and ability to catch the football. Those are things you look for."
Of course, Simpson will endure some growing pains as he adjusts to the speed and toughness of NFL cornerbacks, but he has the talent to make an immediate impact. He's due to become the No. 3 wideout in the wake of Chris Henry's release.
"I'm going to produce early," Simpson said. "Every draft pick should want that. I'm going to do that. The pressure is welcome. I'm up for the challenge. I'm going to do everything I can, and prove to people that I'm worth their draft pick."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.
2008 NFL DRAFT: WRs selected in 2nd round
| Overall pick | Name | Team | College |
| 33 | Donnie Avery | Rams | Houston |
| 34 | Devin Thomas | Redskins | Michigan State |
| 36 | Jordy Nelson | Packers | Kansas State |
| 41 | James Hardy | Bills | Indiana |
| 42 | Eddie Royal | Broncos | Virginia Tech |
| 46 | Jerome Simpson | Bengals | Coastal Carolina |
| 49 | DeSean Jackson | Eagles | California |
| 51 | Malcolm Kelly | Redskins | Oklahoma |
| 53 | Limas Sweed | Steelers | Texas |
| 58 | Dexter Jackson | Buccaneers | App. State |
