Green wants to retire a Patriot
In an interview with a paper in his home state of Louisiana, Patriots defensive end Jarvis Green was quoted as saying that this was his last season with the Patriots. However, when reached today, both Green and his agent, Albert Elias, said the comment was misconstrued and taken out of context and that Green hopes to finish his career in New England.
“This is my last year with the Patriots,” Green was quoted as saying in Houma Today. “I’d love to come home and finish off as a Saint.”
A native of Donaldsonville, La. and a former Lousiana State University standout, Green did a football camp, organized by Elias, in his home state of Louisiana last week at Nicholls State University, where the interview took place.
Green, who is slated to make $2.5 million in base salary this season, the final season of his contract, said his comments were misrepresented.
"I don't think I said it like that," said Green. "Me being from Louisiana and playing at LSU and all that you say it would be a dream to play for the Saints. But I'd love to stay a Patriot, if that happens. I've been there seven years, won a lot of games, two Super Bowls, if I could retire as a Patriot that would be a dream.
"It came out in print the wrong way. I didn't say it that way. It's like anybody who lives in Texas talking about playing for Dallas or Houston. I'm a Patriot. I have been for seven years."
The 30-year-old Green is coming off a sub-par (by his standards) 2008 season. Green, who had 7.5 sacks in 2006 and 6.5 sacks in 2007, recorded just two sacks last season in 14 games.
Both sacks came in the regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills.
Green never seemed to find his groove in 2008. His off-season was spent coming back from shoulder surgery. Then for much of the season he was slowed by an ankle injury he suffered in the fifth game of the season against San Diego.
"Every year he has played through pain and never said one word," said Elias. "Other people wouldn't have played with [his injuries]."
With both Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork also due to become free agents after this season, it's possible that Green feels he'll be the odd man out up front.
When asked if he felt wanted by the Patriots, Green said, "Yes, I do."
Elias has a strong relationship with the Patriots. In addition to Green, he represents linebacker Eric Alexander.
He also represents former Patriots cornerback Randall Gay, who signed with the Saints in 2008, only after they offered him a substantially larger contract than the Patriots.
Elias said Green's goal is to end his career as a Patriot.
"We want [him] to remain a New England Patriot," said Elias. "We are ready to listen and ready to do something right now. But we will not be offended if we have to wait. With the collective bargaining agreement in flux and Scott Pioli leaving, they're still trying to figure some things out.
"The bottom line is we want to retire a New England Patriot. He's got another seven or eight years in him. He wants to play as long as [Michael] Strahan played, and he wants to play every year with New England because of his loyalty to Coach [Bill] Belichick."
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nice backpedaling jarvis. i can't wait until this time next year when chris or mike link back to this story when green leaves. that said, i 100% understand wanting to play for my home team.
Dunno how New England keeps Seymour, Wilfork and Green past this year, Green could get starter money elsewhere.
Nothing wrong with a guy wanting to spend a portion of his career in his own backyard. Sounds like he would love to stay and finish with the Pats, but can you blame him for eyeing home?
Is this really a story?
Interesting how the URL of the article says Green a Goner.
I don't see how that quote was out of context. Unless it's absolutely fabrication, he seems to want out of N.E.
Funny how quick Green and his agent are backpedaling. Obviously Green would prefer to play in New Orleans. Nothing wrong with that. Just don't pretend that you want to stay with the Patriots for the rest of your career, and you didn't mean what was said. It's way too reminiscent of Manny.
Ooops. He may get his wish sooner than planned.
So why didnt they spin it as this being Greens final year in the NFL ?
I hope he plays better than he did the last two years. Each of those years he has been disapointing. His production (which has been mainly as a pass rusher) has been subpar. He needs to show he can still rush the passer or he will be back in New Orleans faster than he thinks.
Green goes for the green.
Green played like crap last year, so he needs to pick it up or they wont want him back.
Slow day in red sox land kids? Jarvis Green will be on the roster in 2010. Expect at least 5+ sacks out of him this season, now that Deltha O'Neal isn't 'covering' the field behind him.
Find someone else to bash.
Sounds like he'd both like to play closer to home and continue to play for a great organization and a coach he trusts.
Unfortunately for him he'll have to choose.
Or, his play will slump and the choice will be made for him.
Either way, I certainly understand his dilemma. Lots of people have jobs they love in places they'd rather not be.
Should we believe Green or his agent?
Not only is Jarvis Green a great athlete, he is a good person that tries to make a positive difference. I was at the PFCC volunteering to organize the youth camp in which he helps to train high school athletes. His words were absolutely misrepresented by the Houma paper.
Both in interviews and off the record, Jarvis spoke very highly about being a Patriot and playing for Belichick. He also talked about what he liked about his home state of Louisiana – the food, the people, the weather. He was also very realistic and motivating in addressing the many young athletes at the awards ceremony that took place later that day.
Hats off to Jarvis Green and the other pro football players (Skyler Green, Howard Green, Eric Alexander, Travis Daniels, Herman Johnson, Kevin Payne, Craig Fassit and others)that gave up their day to give back to the community. Hats off to the sponsors of the camp for making it affordable for area youths in tough economic times. Shame, Shame, Shame on those that took something positive and tried to turn it negative.
In the words of one of the campers, “The best thing about the PFCC is that the PROs spend alot of time working with you and the coaches. Its not just a quick cameo appearance, they (the PROs)are there instructing you, critiquing you, and motivating you.”
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