Thinking Green: Ahman, Seattle, money and Bay

By Os Davis  |   Monday, November 27, 2006  |  Comments( 4 )

Green Bay Packers
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"I've been asked a lot about my return to Seattle this week," wrote Ahman Green in his blog of the Green Bay Packers' game against the Seattle Seahawks this week. "It's not a big deal to me. It's special in that I have good memories of my time there, and of course I have a lot of family and friends there. But as far as the football side, it's just football."

You know what? If a lot of people have asked Green about his return, it's a bit of a silly question; ol' Ahman hasn't been a Seahawk since 1999. Back then, Green touched the ball a total of 26 times all year, the 'Hawks were sporting way different uniforms, the team went 9-7 and at the helm was a quarterback named Jon Kitna.

You know what else? Even without the revenge factor, Seattle had better be watching for Ahman Green this week, as should the rest of the NFL. Amidst the distractions of Brett Favre's topsy-turvy season and the steady improvement of the youthful Packers, Green has been putting together an admirable season against adversity in what is a watershed year for his career.

After missing all but five games last season, the first in which injury laid him out for significant amounts of time, Green has again fought to stay on his feet this year. Green has missed two games to injury and was limited (in mobility, action and effectiveness) last week against the New England Patriots.

On the other hand, Green has passed the 100-yard mark four times this season and is on pace to top 1,000 yards despite the missed games.

On the other hand, Green's average of 4.2 against a career average of 4.6 is slightly disappointing; how much can legitimately be blamed on the O-line is a matter for debate.

Nevertheless, dude is coming back from a serious quadriceps injury.

Why is all this important right now, this week?

Because Ahman Green is going on 30 years old, looks to become a free agent in the offseason, and has an uncertain future with the Pack.

At 4-6, the Packers still have a fighting chance. As Ahman himself penned it, "We're in the playoff hunt. I know that. I think our young guys are realizing it. Every game means something at this time of the year." Even with a slew of New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams, ad infinitum floundering, stalling or collapsing, every game is still simply a must-win for Green Bay in an attempt to give Favre, Driver and Green's version of Titletown another shot at glory. It may be slightly premature to start talking about Green's prospects in free agency, but they're only slight. One loss by the Packers and Green's agent is certain to be crafting positive spin on the back's 2006 performance while calculating which teams have cap room.

Already, "I've said in reports that my agents and I have had contract talks with the Packers," writes Green. "I let my agents handle things. I don't want any of that to be a distraction, so it won't happen now."

You know what? It's no distraction yet. Seattle has a fairly porous defense against the run: At 4.5 yards per carry, Seattle is only better than seven teams; the Houston Texans are also giving up 4.5. In terms of sheer stats, the worst thing that could happen to Green would be the rejuvenated Matt Hasselbeck getting the 'Hawks out to an early lead and requiring the Pack to lean on the passing game.

Prediction: Green goes for 110 yards and grabs his fourth TD of the year. Seattle wins the ballgame, 21-13. And, finally, Ahman Green wears colors other than green and gold in 2007.

Seeing Green Bay Packers' green at RealFootball365.com
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About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's...
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