If A.J. Green leaves early, what’s his place in UGA football lore?
If the quarterback could get the ball anywhere near A.J. Green, he usually came down with it. (Associated Press)
A.J. Green tweets he isn’t gone yet, no matter what Channel 2 reports, but you’re not likely to find many observers of the Georgia football program who expect A.J. to be putting on the red No. 8 jersey next season.
He’s already considered a lock to go in the first round of the NFL draft, so about all he could do by returning for another season in Athens is run the risk of an injury that could endanger his pro career.
Oh, I’d love it if he came back. And if he shocks the world and does that, he’ll instantly elevate himself to the highest level of Bulldog Nation folk hero status. But I don’t expect it to happen.
So, assuming Green is gone after this season, what will be his place in Georgia football history? As was the case with Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno, he won’t have helped bring a championship to UGA before leaving early. And generally it’s the players who at least bring home an SEC championship trophy who are the most beloved among fans.
However, there’s one big difference when it comes to Green. Stafford and Moreno were top-notch players, but they weren’t the best I’d ever seen play at their positions for UGA. Stafford had the biggest arm but never completely mastered the mental side of the quarterback position and wasn’t the team leader he could have been. Moreno was a fantastically talented back, but he was no Herschel Walker.
Merry Christmas, Bulldog Nation! (Danbury Mint)
But A.J. is, hands down, the best receiver I’ve ever seen play for Georgia.
He might not have lived up to his full potential, due to injuries and the missed games caused by his stupidity in the jersey-selling affair, but those circus catches, his running after the catch and, most importantly, his ability to go up high in double or triple coverage and still snag the ball in a clutch situation are unequaled.
It’s been a pleasure to watch him play. If I could get my Christmas wish for the Bulldogs, he’d return for his senior season. I don’t think we’ll be that lucky, though.
Speaking of Christmas wishes, here’s hoping you and yours have a safe and enjoyable holiday and all of you come back next week for some bowl talk.
Go Dogs!
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211 comments Add your comment
Les W. Moore
December 27th, 2010
10:24 am
90% of all college football fans will ask “who is AJ Green?”
His place in UGA football lore may be more like Hines Ward’s. No one knew of Ward until he made his mark in the NFL because he played on bad teams. Same for Green.
Mtn Dawg
December 27th, 2010
11:54 am
So Bill (or anyone). How would the lock-out effect A.J. if he enters the draft?
BigGAdawg
December 27th, 2010
1:23 pm
If AJ had not been suspended I think this would have been a dramatically different season. I attribute 3 of the first 4 losses to his absence. I think he owes it to CMR and the Bulldog Nation to play another year. I don’t really expect that to happen. I think most people would approach it as purely a business decision. But if honor and loyalty were factored in AJ Green would play his senior year at UGA. This would have an amazing effect on the season and on recruiting as well.
Minnesota Dawg
December 27th, 2010
4:08 pm
I agree with you Bill. Hershel was the greatest. A.J. is great but would have to come back another year and light it up to be considered as one of the greatest like Hershel.
Buck Blew
December 27th, 2010
4:26 pm
lindsay scott is the greatest WR in UGA history. he helped win the National Title.
aj green? what has he done?
Dawg_Central
December 27th, 2010
5:30 pm
Lindsey Scott was on a team with Herschel Walker…….and had one catch…..he was no where near best reciever….thats nutts !!
Dawg R
December 28th, 2010
7:29 am
AJ will go down as the greatest receiver in UGA history. He shouldn’t have been suspended for any games, since Cam Newton and his dad took $200,000 and he gets to play in the bowl game, only for big money ratings.
Henry
December 28th, 2010
12:52 pm
He is just another quitter
Snoop Dawg
December 29th, 2010
9:09 am
AJ Green’s legacy is worse than Stafford or Moreno. Even though Stafford and Moreno were just mercenaries and are successful in the NFL, neither of them ever really put team first or provided any leadership. Green is like them but worse, because he sold out his teammates for thirty sheckels of gold so that he could upgrade his zirconium earrings to diamonds. His subsequent suspension resulted in the very worst overall team in the history of UGA football when arrests and stupidity are factored in to the equasion. I say good riddance. Don’t look back at Athens, AJ, and leave your Red and Black as you will never be a true blue Dawg. Oh… I forgot… You will be a great NFL gangsta player if those linebackers don’t saw your skinny torso in half.
Snoop Dawg
December 29th, 2010
9:21 am
AJ will be fishing with Refrigerator Perry for catfish ten years from now…
hunker down
December 29th, 2010
1:08 pm
I think he is gone but if he wants my respect he would have to stay another year. Say what you want but the tail spin of a poor season had him in the media news and missing the first four games that got the fabric unraveling to the Bulldog season. He showed a lack of character by selling his jersey and putting himself before the team. Sure he needed the money but so did the other Dawg players who did not sell theirs. I feel he will put himself before the team again and will take the money and run by going pro. Imho it is all about the money and character takes a backseat. But here is your chance A J, prove me wrong and show that you care more about uprighting the program and helping your teammates, coaches and the Dawg Nation.