IRVING, Texas — Greg Jennings has a goal this week in the days leading up to Super Bowl XLV. He would like to introduce himself, but not in a loud or boastful way.
“You have to enjoy it, embrace it. This is our opportunity to portray who we are and get out what we want to get out,” the Packers wide receiver told The Post yesterday in a rare quiet moment amid the hype machine attached to Sunday’s game against the Steelers. “Definitely want to show my personality, let people know who I am, what I’m all about. Get a feel for Greg Jennings not the football player.”
Jennings is the best of a deep and talented group of Packers receivers at the disposal of Aaron Rodgers, set to take aim at a Steelers defense that suffocates all rushing attacks but has shown vulnerability against the pass. Sunday night at Cowboys Stadium could be the breakout game for Jennings’ career, but he’s thinking more about the big-picture than individual acclaim.
“It definitely could,” he said. “But we have a plethora of guys that could have that game and that’s why we’re such a unique group.”
Jennings, veteran Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson and James Jones give Rodgers four legitimate go-to targets, but the one he goes to most of all is Jennings. If the Packers had fewer options, Jennings might have put up greater numbers than the 76 receptions for 1,265 yards and
12 touchdowns he amassed this season. Jennings, who was selected to his first Pro Bowl, might be more publicized if he had a big ego.
“I’m not the prima donna type of receiver. I don’t have that kind of personality,” Jennings said. “I’m very grateful I don’t have that type of personality. It goes back to my parenting. I was never brought up to be egotistical or arrogant, things like that. No offense to the guys who go out there and promote themselves. That’s what you have to do sometimes. I choose the humility role. This is not a front, this is just who I am.
“From a media point of view probably I do take a back seat, but I like to ride in the back,” he said. “I’m not trying to be out front. You mention receivers, I don’t care if I’m the first one mentioned.”
Jennings wasn’t the first one mentioned in 2006, when he lasted until the second round in the NFL Draft when the Packers took him out of Western Michigan. In what turned out to be a cringe-worthy move, the Giants that spring wanted a receiver in the second round and traded up 12 spots and selected Sinorice Moss out of Miami — eight spots ahead of Jennings, who in his first year was named to the NFL’s All-Rookie team.
He caught the 400th career touchdown pass thrown by Brett Favre and also snagged the first touchdown pass thrown by Rodgers.
Though Jennings is not big (5-foot-11, 198 pounds), he is so athletic and reliable that he makes life easy for his quarterbacks.
“An extremely smooth athlete, great route-runner, obviously good hands,” said Matt Flynn, Rodgers’ backup. “There are receivers that are easy to read coming out of routes, and there are receivers who are tough to read. He’s so smooth and has such long strides he’s easy to read.”
Jennings, 27, is the son of a pastor, went to the same high school at Derek Jeter (Kalamazoo Central) and is married with three daughters. He had a cameo, a speaking role as a lab technician on the CBS drama “Criminal Minds” and just this week opened up a Twitter account. He’s also a team captain and is considered a big-time leader without much fanfare.
“After winning the NFC Championship Game I know I couldn’t sleep because you envision yourself playing in this game, on this stage,” Jennings said. “You dream of having this opportunity and now having this opportunity you want to make sure you make the best of it. You try to envision yourself making plays, being that guy who comes through in the clutch.”
paul.schwartz@nypost.com