The competition to find playmakers at the wide receiver position for the Jacksonville Jaguars offers the opportunity for the "feel good" story of the 2009 season. Clarence Denmark, an undrafted free agent picked up by the Jaguars, hopes to earn a roster spot as a pass catcher or on special teams. Denmark, a Jacksonville native, attended Robert E. Lee High School and Arkansas-Monticello where he had 91 receptions for 1,586 yards and 14 touchdowns as well as 34 kickoff returns for 629 yards in two years.
Denmark can take some comfort knowing that his is not an impossible dream. In 2008, Brian Witherspoon and Isaiah Gardner, two undrafted rookies, made the Jaguar roster. Nor is that the only sign of encouragement for Denmark. Rashean Mathis, the outstanding defensive back chosen by the Jaguars in the second round of the 2003 draft is a First Coast native and an Englewood High School alumnus.
Denmark, who grew up idolizing Jaguar wide receivers Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith, feels good about his long shot chance for a roster spot. Of the six rookie wide receivers the Jaguars are looking at, he may be one of the best, all things considered. In addition to good speed, good hands and solid receiving stats, Denmark also owns an 18.5 yard average returning kickoffs, a stat that is not wasted on special teams coach Russ Purnell.
Working with Denmark to achieve his dream is Darrell Pasquale of Ponte Vedra, son of former Jaguar special teams coach, Larry Pasquale. Darrell is the founder of SAS, a speed, agility, sport specific training program for athletes in various sports. He has trained other current NFL players, including Quentin Groves, the Jaguars second round draft pick in 2008 out of Auburn. Both Groves and Denmark are quick to credit the value of Pasquale’s instruction. Groves calls it the best he ever received.
"I’m glad I found Darrell at the beginning of my career," Groves said.
"Darrell is a great trainer…he creates a personalized connection with athletes," said Denmark. "He takes the time to get to know them as an athlete and what they need to improve on…not just put them through a routine workout."
Professional football players aren’t the only athletes to have benefited from Pasquale’s training regimens. He’s been instrumental in the development of dozens of young people in a various sports from football to tennis in grade school, high school or college. Pasquale’s students include names familiar to local area high school fans, including Tyler Weir, Zack Tronti, Mitch Swanson, Hunter Haynes, Will Oakley and tennis star Sierra Poske from Nease plus Pedro Menendez’s Matt Scarpetti and Trinity’s Brett Bowers and Drew Steinmetz.
Pasquale spent 18 years as a coach, including stints in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers and the Philadelphia Eagles and at the college level at the U.S Military Academy, San Diego State University and Fordham University among others.
The 38-year old believes his skills were honed by a childhood spent as ball boy for the NY Jets where his father Larry was the coach.
"I was around good athletes all the time and spent hours watching them work out at practice," he said. "I got to know all the different drills and saw how players could benefit. Who else has that kind of experience?"
