Evan McPherson is the leg that saved the day in the last two Bengals games.The kicker is quickly becoming a fan favorite. There's one man within the Bengals organization you can thank for bringing McPherson to Cincinnati.Darrin Simmons has been a coach with the Bengals for 19 years.The assistant head coach and special teams coordinator knew McPherson was special when he went down to Florida to watch him work out.Incredibly, the kicker should be a college senior.But the young gun has brought his brand of confidence to the NFL. It's been a quick change of scenery for Simmons — from the sidelines of Arrowhead Stadium to his couch at home in Mason.The special teams coordinator is heading to the Super Bowl for the first time after nearly two decades in orange and black."It was pretty special. After being here 19 years, during some up seasons, some down seasons, yesterday was about as good as it could get for us," he said.He can take partial credit for helping bring on one of the breakout stars of this season.Simmons has been impressed with McPherson from the moment he watched his tape."He's exceeded my expectations. Not to say my expectations were low. My expectations were extremely high. But after watching him in that workout. I knew we had a chance to get a good one," he said.After witnessing what he could do in person, Simmons pushed to add McPherson to their roster."There had been some games we had missed some important field goals down the stretch, and I felt good about what Evan could bring mentally, not just physically," he said.McPherson is responsible for clinching the past two Bengals victories with last-second field goals.Simmons said even with the post-season on the line, McPherson has ice in his veins. "Even before the Kansas City game, we went and talked for two seconds before he went out to kick, and I think if you put a heart monitor on him, I think his blood pressure would be the same from a preseason extra point to that game winner we had the other night," Simmons said.The whole team buys into his air of confidence.The rookie is cool, calm and coming through in the clutch."I was not nervous one bit. I knew he was going to make it. I was just ready to go celebrate," Simmons said.McPherson has earned nicknames like "Money Mac."He famously told the Bengals bench, "We're going to the AFC Championship," before nailing the game-winning field goal against the Titans."As long as he keeps making kicks, I don't care what they call him," Simmons said.Simmons said it's back to work on Tuesday, and their goal is to keep McPherson's routine as normal as possible.
Evan McPherson is the leg that saved the day in the last two Bengals games.
The kicker is quickly becoming a fan favorite.
There's one man within the Bengals organization you can thank for bringing McPherson to Cincinnati.
Darrin Simmons has been a coach with the Bengals for 19 years.
The assistant head coach and special teams coordinator knew McPherson was special when he went down to Florida to watch him work out.
Incredibly, the kicker should be a college senior.
But the young gun has brought his brand of confidence to the NFL.
It's been a quick change of scenery for Simmons — from the sidelines of Arrowhead Stadium to his couch at home in Mason.
The special teams coordinator is heading to the Super Bowl for the first time after nearly two decades in orange and black.
"It was pretty special. After being here 19 years, during some up seasons, some down seasons, yesterday was about as good as it could get for us," he said.
He can take partial credit for helping bring on one of the breakout stars of this season.
Simmons has been impressed with McPherson from the moment he watched his tape.
"He's exceeded my expectations. Not to say my expectations were low. My expectations were extremely high. But after watching him in that workout. I knew we had a chance to get a good one," he said.
After witnessing what he could do in person, Simmons pushed to add McPherson to their roster.
"There had been some games we had missed some important field goals down the stretch, and I felt good about what Evan could bring mentally, not just physically," he said.
McPherson is responsible for clinching the past two Bengals victories with last-second field goals.
Simmons said even with the post-season on the line, McPherson has ice in his veins.
"Even before the Kansas City game, we went and talked for two seconds before he went out to kick, and I think if you put a heart monitor on him, I think his blood pressure would be the same from a preseason extra point to that game winner we had the other night," Simmons said.
The whole team buys into his air of confidence.
The rookie is cool, calm and coming through in the clutch.
"I was not nervous one bit. I knew he was going to make it. I was just ready to go celebrate," Simmons said.
McPherson has earned nicknames like "Money Mac."
He famously told the Bengals bench, "We're going to the AFC Championship," before nailing the game-winning field goal against the Titans.
"As long as he keeps making kicks, I don't care what they call him," Simmons said.
Simmons said it's back to work on Tuesday, and their goal is to keep McPherson's routine as normal as possible.
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