A.J.’s legacy at UGA: A great player who didn’t go great places (UPDATE: Green Tweets he’s not leaving – at least not yet)
It's no stretch to say he's the best Georgia receiver ever. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
If A.J. Green is indeed gone to the NFL, as two sources close to the Georgia program have told Zach Klein of Channel 2 Action News, he’ll leave a hollow legacy at Georgia. He’s the best-ever Bulldog receiver, and his surpassing has taken Georgia, in chronological order, to the Capital One Bowl, the Independence Bowl and the Liberty Bowl.
Part of this can blamed on circumstance: Green worked with three different starting quarterbacks in his three seasons. Part can be blamed on Green himself: At a time when his team needed him most, he got himself suspended for the silly sin of selling his jersey from a nondescript bowl for $1,000. On cue, the 2010 Bulldogs lost three of the four games he missed, thereby relegating them to yet another nondescript bowl.
There can be no complaints about Green the player. He made big plays, spectacular plays, winning plays. Had he arrived at the beginning of the decade and not its end, he might have been the difference between Georgia coming close to playing for a national championship and actually seizing one. But his first season was 2008, which was the beginning of the slide that has seen the Bulldogs go from 11-2 in 2007 to 6-6 now. He was the right man at the wrong time.
He’ll be a great pro. Of this there’s no doubt. Mel Kiper of ESPN lists him third on his latest Big Board, behind only Andrew Luck of Stanford and Da’Quan Bowers of Clemson. If there’s a difference between Green and Tech’s Calvin Johnson as collegians, it can be measured in Angstrom units. But the great Johnson at least helped lift Tech to an ACC title game in 2006. For all Green’s excellence, Georgia got worse over his time in Athens. Which doesn’t seem fair. But sometimes life just isn’t.
Twitter update: A.J. Green — he’s @ajgreen_uga8 — says he’s not going pro. Or at least not yet.
Tweet at 12:19 a.m. Thursday: “Idk where these ppl got that I’m going pro..this is def not true.”
Tweet at 12:34: “Haven’t even made a decision yet!”
By Mark Bradley
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418 comments Add your comment
Adam
December 23rd, 2010
8:51 am
Legacy definition
plural leg·a·cies
Definition of LEGACY
1: a gift by will especially of money or other personal property : bequest
2: something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past
So mark could you please explain your use of this word and why it relates to AJ? It doesn’t. A legacy would be if he gives UGA money after years in the Nfl. Pretty shoddy journalism.
This is why
December 23rd, 2010
8:53 am
Just reading some of these comments, I hope all of you UGA rednecks understand that word around the state is the top players in state are all leaving..Most blacks are tired of the racism in this state and truely hate GA..When you idiots voted a crook into office(Deal) that sealed the deal..Watch, Crowell,Rome,Mitchell,Dickson,Drew and gabe Wright are all leavin the state..Just like last year when all the state top players left..Just watch..It is not CMR fault…I hope yall know that these top players in the state read these blogs..Also no way the Berry boys attend UGA, they have already made that clear…
SEC1
December 23rd, 2010
8:55 am
He’s gone.
Move on…
Pago Pago Dawg
December 23rd, 2010
8:58 am
Sorta reminds us of Noshow and Stafford…never lead the DAWGS anywhere!
What a waste…
gt45
December 23rd, 2010
8:59 am
AJ is an awsome reciever-the same mold as Calvin. I could never understand why Ga didn’t throw the ball up more, and let him go get it. I can assure you, if he didn’t catch it, there would have been a flag thrown. I hated to see him step out of bounds in that last game against us, but, I hate to see any player do that!
Mike
December 23rd, 2010
8:59 am
The answer to why Green didn’t accomplish as much as UGA is an easy one word answer: DEFENSE.
The defensive collapse at UGA is primarily the reason UGA failed to live up to preseason #1 hype in 2008 and had trouble in games they usually won before in both 2009 and 2010. Yes Stafford and Moreno going pro early didn’t help in 2009, but the Defense is the biggest problem at UGA.
Green definitely is a big reason UGA started 1-4 in 2010. I think at worse they lose 2 of those games, probably only one, if Green is eligible to play.
mike
December 23rd, 2010
9:01 am
I know of no black folks who talk like that but that’s ok, just continue to showcase your talents and skills obviously learned from your parents. AJ sold a jersey which turned out to be a major crime while the school made millions selling tickets to come see him catch passes over the years. Go pro AJ, you can see from most of the comments what the people think of you. It is time to be concerned about your family and your own welfare. Too bad most folks blogging about you have neither the talent nor the skills to accomplish what you have done in your short life. Good luck at the next level. I remember when Emmitt Smith came out of college. They said he was too small.
Jborodawg
December 23rd, 2010
9:01 am
Mark,
I’m with you, “…befuzzled after ‘first’…”
Reasons he might stay: his mom wants him to get a degree (HE wants his degree); the concomitant priceless senior year; unfinished business due to the sorry season; end up with the worst NFL team
Reasons he’ll go pro: the money (after he buys his mom a new house, she’ll relent); he can do summer school and finish his degree; the money; he doesn’t “owe” UGA nor the fans a darn thing (CFB is the NFL’s minor leagues)
I wonder about his body frame in the NFL; he’s pretty darn skinny. But, look back at Hines Ward when at UGA, compared to his frame now. He’s bulked up so much it makes ya wonder. Julio and Calvin, for instance, are much bigger framed. Can such a skinny WR take the pounding going up over the middle?
Yes, he’s a great one and we hope he returns.
“Chuck” @ 11:54; I don’t think it was coaching as much as it was three different QBs, the last of which was a freshman who’d never played a down of CFB. QB’s and WR’s have to play together a while, just like the O line.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
December 23rd, 2010
9:02 am
Explain this: Kansas St basketball player receive free clothing from a department store and receive a 3 game suspension. AJ sells a jersey and receives a 4 game suspension. College basketball has close to a 40 game season where college football has a 12 game season. Where is the logic that the NCAA implores?
Back to AJ Green and his legacy at UGA? Unfortunately much like Mathew Stafford, loads of talent but zero results where it mattered most, Championships.
Joey
December 23rd, 2010
9:02 am
Nice read, Mark.
AJ would be crazy not to go now. 3rd pick, what, $20M signing bonus?
jackyldo
December 23rd, 2010
9:04 am
As much as Kiper ranks him 3rd aside from a couple of brilliant catches this season – he has been underwhelming.
A 1st round pick yes.. but if he shows a chink at the combines he could be 3rd or 13th..
Hmm maybe BB will package some of the Pats picks (2 first-(Oakland), 2 2nd (Carolina), 3rd and 2 4ths to pick AJ. He’d be great with Brady throwing to him.
Ty
December 23rd, 2010
9:05 am
This is petty crap to write about a wideout. Did this article get written when stafford left without an east title?
Frank
December 23rd, 2010
9:06 am
This is why. You’re a moron.
Yeah that Roy Barnes is so ethical!! ROFLMAO!! Yeah those players are leaving because a state that is predominantly conservative did what? Voted in a conservative! Guess what you dolt. The entire South is conservative. Apparently you didn’t see voters ACROSS the country vote our Dems.
And Tennessee yeah there’s no bigots up there! Nor Bama!! Haha.
They are leaving because those programs have won more and made it to national champ games.
You really are a retard.
DawginLex
December 23rd, 2010
9:07 am
Rammer hammer dumb a$$,
Can you read mountain boy?
The scouts all rate AJ ahead of Julio. Just because he went to Bama and you sat he is better doesn’t make Julio better.
Go back to your double wide.
DawginLex
December 23rd, 2010
9:07 am
say not sat
pete van weird
December 23rd, 2010
9:08 am
where has all the terence gone? long time napping. where has all the terence gone? long time ago? where has all the terence gone, gone to nowhere everyone, we still have m.bradley, or we can read….j.schultz
wake up, people.
terence is no moore
and you’re still reading this yellow journalism
Coffee Bluff DAWG
December 23rd, 2010
9:11 am
Good article Mark. I would have been surprised only if AJ had stayed for his senior year.
I’ll agree he’s the best receiver ever at UGA and will be great in the NFL. But also in many ways he had a very disappointing career and wasn’t able to lead UGA to anything of consequence .
Joey
December 23rd, 2010
9:12 am
Dang, why does UGA have so many players who leave early? AJ and Justin will make at least 6 or 7 in the last 3 years.
Mark T
December 23rd, 2010
9:12 am
It would be great to see some loyalty to the team and AJ come back next year. I don’t blame him for thinking of the money, but I remember a time when you lived and died with your team. AJ got screwed this year over a damn jersey, and I imagine he is a little sour over a jersey as opposed to 150k or so that we all know the Newton family received. All this talk about what if he returns and gets hurt? Thats why you get insurance and a good education. You can get hurt in the pro’s just as fast and it could happen early or late in your career. Joey rookies are not gonna be getting paid like they used to. There is gonna be a cap on rookies from now on.
Paul N Destin
December 23rd, 2010
9:13 am
Julio will prove to be the better player in the NFL. Character still counts and tuffness as well.
Sharkman
December 23rd, 2010
9:15 am
The best UGA receiver ever? RUN LINDSAY RUN!!! HELLO??? Go back to Lexington.
bigdsel
December 23rd, 2010
9:15 am
come back A.J. We need you to come to the dome for the chick-fil-a kick off game and start a butt kicking season that starts with the Dawgs spanking boise st. and hopefully get us back to the dome the end of the season.
JDawg
December 23rd, 2010
9:15 am
I understand all about the money and the chance of injury. I also understand that this guy wants to give something to the UGA faithful…………one more year……WE all deserve it…….including AJ
This is why
December 23rd, 2010
9:17 am
Frank
Ok,
My nephew is a top target for the 2012 class, I have been around a lot of heavily recruited players om the state and i can tell you now that if you thought UGA class was bad last year, wait until this year..And yeah thats the plan to get back at you red necks, go to another state and beat your a#$..Its more to it, Kids are also tired of getting cheated in these high school football games against white teams, and Making the road easy as possible for gwin county schools to win it..Key example Calhoun vs Carver..White team vs Black team..Carver had 3 TDS called back..you can call me what you want but i gurantee Ga will be the laughing stock in the sec in 2 years..
DAWG ONE
December 23rd, 2010
9:18 am
I never cease to be amazed at the number of immature, pathetic with nothing positive in their lives, ignoramus on these blogs. I suppose school is out and the three year olds are on their parents computers. Five year olds? No, they aren’t as smart as five year olds.
Mark T
December 23rd, 2010
9:19 am
WOW bitterness can bring out the true colors in ppl.
SECWasteManagement
December 23rd, 2010
9:20 am
Anyone who thinks that anything Mel Kiper says is worth while and credible is a moron.
Joey
December 23rd, 2010
9:20 am
“12 Catches 173 yards 1 TD in 2 games…..not very amazing.”
******************************
What?
Damn, nerd, that’s a year’s worth of receiving for a WR playing for PJ . . .
Homepage | MrSEC.com
December 23rd, 2010
9:21 am
[...] A.J. Green: “There is a 100 percent chance he is gone,” but his Twitter posts indicate he hasn’t made up his mind just [...]
Gatorzone
December 23rd, 2010
9:21 am
UGA sure has produced a bunch of “the best ever” in Mark Richt’s tenure.
Stafford, now Green both leave early.
I think that is kindof an overstatement by MB.
Sharkman, you hit the nail on the head!
hadog
December 23rd, 2010
9:23 am
I say #2, behind the famous Falldown Freddy Gibson. HAHAHA!!!
Bull Meacham
December 23rd, 2010
9:24 am
Stafford, Moreno, Greene = 0 championships. Way to go Richt.
RxDawg
December 23rd, 2010
9:26 am
“I could never understand why Ga didn’t throw the ball up more, and let him go get it.”
Umm… he’s only been our leading receiver for the past 3 years.
SECWasteManagement
December 23rd, 2010
9:26 am
Everyone knows that Fred Gibson would not catch the ball unless he thought he was going to make a touchdown.
Brian
December 23rd, 2010
9:26 am
You mean Chuck Dowdle…I mean Zach Klein, got a story wrong??? Seriously, Zach, please stop taking credit for your former co-worker breaking stories all the time… we never see you on campus.
Frank
December 23rd, 2010
9:28 am
Saw the game. Carver committed too many penalties. That’s what happens when you’re an undisciplined team. They choked and you’re making race an issue. It’s getting old. Get the chip off your shoulder crybaby. Uga’s class this year will be top 15 in the country. You are clueless.
crabapplejoe
December 23rd, 2010
9:29 am
I see A.J. as a slot receiver…Wes Welker/Jordan Shipley type receiver in the NFl….never did much at Georgia…..thank God and Greyhound he’s gone.
gte268p
December 23rd, 2010
9:29 am
Angstrom units? Really, Mark? Do you actually think there’s a uga fan out there who can possibly fathom or has any idea what an angstrom unit is? Ha! There also really isn’t any comparison, Calvin Johnson easily wins this one not just because of skill, but because of intellect (for obvious reasons you stated!)
This is why
December 23rd, 2010
9:29 am
DAWG ONE
Yeah you are right…And all this has caught up with uga…I can count ten post on here where AJ Green has been called a thug…For selling a jersey?..People are tired of this racist state and nobody wants to play for UGA…Just watch..I can tell you now that the top kids from South Ga will not be signing with Uga..Crowell included..That Calhoun game sealed it with him..I gurantee that..Gabe Wright parents are milatary people and they would never send their kid to UGA..they hate GA…People dont understand how much kids really read this crap..Just watch….
TD
December 23rd, 2010
9:29 am
Old news Bradley……how ’bout more news on the Falcons.
Rev Al Sharpton
December 23rd, 2010
9:30 am
So the Georgia High School Association is telling it’s Ref’s to throw unwarrented flags on black football teams?
Where’s my megaphone? I’ll be right there!
JB
December 23rd, 2010
9:30 am
This is why…………..Cynthia Tucker has a blog for you on the first screen you come to on the AJC site…..Scroll down to where is say’s ” Wacko’s post here”……..You can vent there about your Taxes being to low and Don’t ask don’t tell and The military wasteful spending and don’t miss the bash Sara Palin section…………GEEZ.
gt4ever
December 23rd, 2010
9:30 am
He was a good receiver that will go in the first round… Please, I donot think for a second that this kid will turn down millions, to come back and play for a 2nd tier SEC team…..
I also believe that Julio from UA, is a manchild compared to AJ…. I mean, come on, are all UGA fans delusional….
Steve
December 23rd, 2010
9:31 am
Now you’ll see how tech felt when they lost 4 underclassmen all in the same year. Next year won’t be fun starting with boise. Good luck with that.
dawgs2004
December 23rd, 2010
9:32 am
We need a translator for some of dvj125 postings. I don’t speak jive.
gt4ever
December 23rd, 2010
9:32 am
Calvin Johnson was 5 times the football player……..
Buckeye
December 23rd, 2010
9:33 am
Off to the parlor to get triceps tatts…..
Good luck in the Liberty Bowl!
No AJ next year? Lokks like another .500 year for thUGA.
fair and Balanced
December 23rd, 2010
9:33 am
Reminds of Spurior’s words about our talent and lack of achievement. It’s just a fact.
joe
December 23rd, 2010
9:35 am
Once the NFL shows him the money, he’s gone daddy gone…
DawginLex
December 23rd, 2010
9:36 am
sharkman,
Where did I say he was the best ever? “go back to Lexington”. I’m already there.