Simpson in bind

Wide receiver Jerome Simpson struggled early this afternoon with a tape-cutter while sitting at his locker. The second-round pick was having trouble getting the ankle tape off his big toes.

"I know, I can't get it off," Simpson said.

The idea that Simpson, who played college ball at I-AA, small-school Coastal Carolina, was a draft reach will stick to him until he proves otherwise.

“There are a lot of fans back (in North Carolina) who don’t think I was a reach. They think I got drafted right where I was supposed to," said Simpson, who is wearing No. 89.

“You go out there and work hard. Even if you go out to a small school, if you work hard they will find you.”

Quarterback Carson Palmer called Simpson after he was drafted. This morning, Jordan Palmer threw to Simpson.

"He called me Sunday or Monday," Simpson said of Carson Palmer, who watched film of Simpson before the draft. "I told him I was ready to go to work with him and let him help me learn. He said he would be willing to help. He seems like a really nice guy. His brother is real nice, too. His brother is great throwing to you, too, and he communicates very well with you. I’m expecting even better from his big brother."