Green's mere presence could boost the Rams
By Bernie Miklasz
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Thursday, Mar. 06 2008
I don't know if playing football is good for Trent Green, but bringing Trent
Green back to St. Louis would be good for the Rams.
The Rams are recruiting Green to be their No. 2 quarterback. He was here in
1999 and 2000. He dramatically changed the locker-room culture in '99 before
falling with a season-ending knee injury. (Hello, Kurt Warner.) Green started
five games for the 2000 Rams and had a 101.8 QB rating. He was traded to Dick
Vermeil's Chiefs in 2001.
Green pitched magnificently for Vermeil and offensive coordinator Al Saunders,
thriving in the KC version of the offense that lifted the Rams to two Super
Bowls. In a five-year span (2001-05), only Peyton Manning passed for more yards
than Green.
Green's happy existence was rocked by a brutal concussion in 2006, and he moved
on to Miami for '07. But in his fifth game for the Dolphins, Green was jarred
by another concussion, and he has missed 19 of the last 32 games.
He'll turn 38 in July.
So the warning labels are there.
After consulting with specialists, Green has been medically cleared to play.
Still, is it a smart move to keep playing? Green has a wonderful family and
good health. Why absorb another smack to the head and expose your brain to risk
in a violent sport? Green has had a fine NFL career and has nothing to prove.
Green is a winner, and a leader, and an all-around class act.
"A special person," Rams general manager Jay Zygmunt said.
The Rams aren't on the brink of winning a championship. And it's not as if
Green would be guaranteed a chance to play regularly; the Rams invested $65
million in a new contract for
Marc Bulger last summer.
And Green might have other choices. The Packers, Giants and Saints have
interest in him. The Packers might be an appealing alternative for Green. If
Aaron Rogers stumbles as Brett Favre's replacement, Green could take over for a
team that has postseason aspirations.
So why St. Louis? Green spent much of his youth here and is a graduate of
Vianney High. He'd be reunited with Saunders and Rams quarterbacks coach Terry
Shea, who was Green's QB coach in Kansas City. On a personal level, it's a nice
fit.
If Green is determined to play on, I hope he signs with the Rams.
Yes, part of it is nostalgia. Green is a living symbol of better days for the
franchise. And fans would warmly embrace him. But Green can make an impact
here. He's in position to alter the locker-room dynamics again, just as he did
in 1999. The Rams lack leadership and are short on ultra-competitive
personalities. Green would undoubtedly be a positive influence.
Besides, Bulger needs to be pushed.
Green wouldn't come here to take a paycheck and take it easy. He's too
competitive. Green wouldn't be disruptive and he wouldn't start a controversy.
But he would work overtime to prepare, and be sharp, and get into position to
help the Rams win games.
Bulger took a beating last season and quickly succumbed to the punishment. But
in my opinion, there was more to it than that. In my opinion, Bulger wasn't a
max-out competitor in 2007. He often played as if he wanted to be elsewhere.
His body language was terrible.
Can Bulger rebound? It's entirely possible, given the combination of an
improved offensive line and an enhanced offensive scheme. But Bulger has to
prove himself anew. After getting the big contract and all of that guaranteed
money, Bulger must show that he's still driven to compete, and win, and be a
strong leader.
If nothing else, Green would push Bulger onto a higher competitive plane. And
if Bulger continues to slide, the Rams will need someone to take control, run
the Saunders offense, and challenge his teammates. Green is that guy. He won't
waste the Rams' money, or his teammates' blood and sweat, or the fans' emotions
with a halfhearted effort.
Green loves to play the game. He isn't ready to quit, even if it's the safest
thing to do.
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