Sidney graduate Simonds lands with Eagles

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April 26, 2010

Former Colgate wide receiver overlooked in NFL draft but signs as free agent

By Rob Centorani Staff Writer The Daily Star Mon Apr 26, 2010, 03:30 AM EDT

Pat Simonds' size and leaping ability proved problematic for opposing defenses at the high school and college levels.

The Sidney and soon-to-be Colgate graduate will find out soon enough if his 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame can earn him a living as a wide receiver in the National Football League.

Simonds, 21, said he signed a priority free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles about 20 minutes after the three-day NFL draft ended Saturday.

"Every situation is going to be competitive," Simonds said by cell phone Sunday. "I'm just excited to have a chance to compete for a spot."

Simonds didn't disclose the terms of his contract but said it's a standard 3-year deal all NFL rookies sign. He added the deal would be voided if he gets cut.

The Buffalo Bills also contacted Simonds shortly after the draft, but after talking to his agent, Simonds decided to sign with the Eagles.

"(The Eagles evaluated me) by workouts," said Simonds, who caught a school-record 14 touchdown passes for Colgate in his senior season. "They were at my pro-day (March 9 at Fordham) and they came to Colgate a couple of times."

Simonds, who high jumped 6-foot-5 in high school and had a 36-inch vertical jump in his pro-day workout, said several teams began calling him during the seventh round.

"They said if I don't get drafted, they want to sign me," Simonds said.

As a high school senior in 2005, Simonds helped Sidney to a Class C state championship in football, catching 52 passes for 1,038 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also eclipsed 1,000 yards each of the past two seasons for Colgate, a Football Championship Subdivision team (formerly Division I-AA).

Those last two seasons apparently caught the attention of NFL scouts. Five of them attended Colgate's 20-12 Patriot League victory over Fordham on Sept. 26, 2009.

Following this past season, Simonds earned an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game, the oldest of college's football's All-Star games and one that annually plays host to numerous NFL prospects. Though he wasn't drafted, Simonds said things worked out well for him.

"From a pride standpoint, you'd like to hear your name called during the draft," he said, "but I was advised prior to the draft that if it gets to the seventh round, you're better off to be a free agent pick because then you get to pick your situation."

Next for Simonds is a three-day camp for rookies and undrafted free agents that Simonds said he thought begins Friday, in surroundings with which he's familiar. The Eagles hold their offseason workouts at Lehigh University, which also plays in the Patriot League.

Following the three-day camp, Simonds said, he won't have another workout with the Eagles until after he graduates May 16.

Philadelphia, coming off an 11-5 season, does not appear to be thin at wide receiver. Its top wide receiver, DeSean Jackson, caught 62 passes for 1,156 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Last year's top draft pick, Jeremy Maclin, made 56 catches for 773 yards and four TDs as a rookie.

Additionally, fifth-year pros Jason Avant and Hank Basket, along with second-year players Dobson Collins, Chad Hall and Jordan Norwood, are on the 71-man roster that includes Saturday's fifth-round selection, Riley Cooper of Florida.

Along with Simonds, the Eagles also signed wide receivers Kevin Jurovich (San Jose State) and Blue Cooper (Tennessee-Chattanooga) among the nine priority free agents they picked up this past weekend.

"I think so," Simonds said when asked if he's confident he can compete on the NFL level. "You have to be confident, you have to compete and you have to believe you belong. I'll do what I can."

One key, Simonds said, could be proving himself on special teams.

"Well, special teams is everything for any rookie in the NFL," he said. "Special teams gives you a chance to show some effort and give the team a reason to keep you around while you develop into your position."

Simonds immediately becomes the tallest and heaviest receiver on the Eagles' roster. Basket is 6-4 and 220 pounds and Riley Cooper is 6-3 and 222.

With the nine free agents the Eagles signed over the weekend, they have 80 players on the roster. Before the regular season begins, all NFL rosters must be trimmed to 53.

According to the website answers.ask.com, the minimum salary for an NFL player with no experience will be $325,000 for the 2010 season.

Rob Centorani can be reached at rcentorani@thedailystar.com or 607-432-1000, ext. 209.