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A.J. Green News & Rumors

Green's first Pro Bowl reception goes for TD in AFC win
January 30
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"A.J. Green's first regular-season reception ended up going for a touchdown. So it shouldn't be a surprise that his first one in a Pro Bowl went for one as well. During the first quarter of Sunday's annual NFL all-star game, Green lined up right and did a double move on Patrick Peterson for a 34-yard touchdown for the AFC's first touchdown of the game. The AFC went on to win the game 59-41 in what was the highest scoring Pro Bowl in history. After the NFC had taken a 14-0 lead during the first quarter, Green caught Ben Roethlisberger's pass at the NFC 4 after the Arizona rookie cornerback slipped at the 20 as Green was wide open. "He (Peterson) is a great corner but I got him a little bit"
Three more Bengals in Pro Bowl
January 23
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"A.J. Green will have company at the Pro Bowl this week. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, defensive tackle Geno Atkins and tight end Jermaine Gresham have been added to the AFC squad for next Sunday's game in Honolulu, the NFL announced Sunday night. Dalton and Green form the first rookie quarterback-receiver duo from the same team to be in the Pro Bowl. They are the first Bengals rookies to make the Pro Bowl since Cris Collinsworth 30 years ago. "We're been grouped together from the beginning so its nice to be linked together as well," Dalton said. "We came out and were able to accomplish a lot and for all four of us to go early on in our careers is a great thing.""
Who will pair with Bengals A.J. Green?
January 11
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"A.J. Green was the first NFL rookie receiver to go over 1,000 yards in five seasons and the first to make the Pro Bowl in eight. Now begins the task of finding a receiver to team with him. In what is becoming a standard offseason search, the Bengals will assess their needs for a No. 2 receiver. Ever since T.J. Houshmandzadeh departed after the 2008 season, the Bengals have been looking for a consistent pairing. In 2009-10, they went the high-priced free-agent route with Laveranues Coles, Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens. After Jerome Simpson's late-season emergence in 2010, the task shifted to finding a franchise and game-changing receiver to take the place of Chad Ochocinco. They did that"
Green headed to Pro Bowl
December 28
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Often during the season, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has called A.J. Green the best first-round pick he has been around. On Tuesday night, he joined more elite company. The rookie wide receiver is headed to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii and became the first Bengal to be voted in since 2007. Even more important, he is the first rookie receiver voted in since Arizona's Anquan Boldin in 2003 and the first Bengals rookie at any position since WR Cris Collinsworth in 1981. "It is amazing and a big honor being a rookie getting in," Green said. "When Coach Lewis called me earlier today and told me I made it it was just an unbelievable feeling. It's just unbelievable. It's a credit to everyone on the"
Green says he'll be ready for Cards
December 21
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"A.J. Green did not practice on Tuesday, but the Bengals rookie receiver remained emphatic that he will play on Saturday against Arizona. Said Green in giving a status report on his injured right shoulder: "I'm doing good. It's just a little sore but better than I thought. I'm moving my arm around and it isn't in a sling." Green, who has a sprain to the AC joint, did participate in the team's morning walkthrough and caught a couple passes, including one that was slightly over his head where he had to reach up and snag it, which he said was a surprise. The game will also be a matchup between two players selected in the top five of the draft who know each other well – Green and Arizona"
Green says he'll still play despite Grade 3 shoulder sprain
December 19
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Andy Dalton and A.J. Green added a couple of significant marks to their burgeoning list of accomplishments in the Bengals' 20-13 win over the Rams on Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome. But the day did have a scare midway through. Green landed on his right shoulder with just over three minutes left in the second quarter after Rams cornerback Rod Hood accidentally tripped him. Hood just clipped Green and the rookie landed hard on his shoulder. Green was taken to the locker room for X-rays before the half ended, but took a cortisone shot and was ready to go when the Bengals got the opening possession of the second half. The diagnosis after the game was that Green has a Grade 3 sprain of his"
Red to Green lights up Bengals
December 4
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"It's easy to forget that Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are rookies in light of the plays they've made this season. After all, rookies aren't supposed to remain poised in the pocket in a tie game with under two minutes remaining and fire a pass down the middle where only his receiver, also a rookie, can make the catch. That happened during the fourth quarter last week as Green's leaping catch over Joe Haden and run down the right sideline for a 51-yard gain set up the winning field goal as the Bengals beat the Browns 23-20. With a highlight film's worth of memorable plays this season, Dalton and Green are going to have to make more as their biggest challenge begins today - a rematch in"
Browns' Joe Haden ready for rematch with Bengals' A.J. Green
November 26
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Browns cornerback Joe Haden is looking forward to his rematch with Bengals receiver A.J. Green. In the season opener, Haden held the standout rookie to no catches . . . until the Bengals caught the Browns napping late in the game. Bengals QB Bruce Gradkowski called for a quick snap and hit Green for an easy 41-yard go-ahead touchdown. Green has 41 receptions and six TDs this season despite missing the Bengals' game against Baltimore last Sunday and the second half against Pittsburgh the week before with a knee injury. Green leads NFL rookies with 635 receiving yards and is second among rookies in receptions, trailing only the Browns' Greg Little (42). "I look forward to [playing against"
A.J. Green looking like a go against Browns
November 25
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"It looks as if A.J. Green should be back in the lineup on Sunday when the Bengals host the Browns. The rookie wide receiver, who missed last week's game in Baltimore with a hyper-extended right knee, was listed as having full participation in Thursday's practice. Green was limited on Wednesday but went through the normal early practice routine that the media is allowed to view. Green's return should revive what could be Sunday's best one-on-one matchup. Cleveland cornerback Joe Haden had done a good job containing Green until the fourth quarter, when he caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from Bruce Gradkowski which proved to be the winning score in a 27-17 victory in the opener. It was"
A.J. Green uncertain for Sunday
November 24
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Wide receiver A.J. Green took a couple of steps toward playing Sunday against Cleveland when he got out on the practice field Wednesday. Green sat out last week's 31-24 loss at Baltimore with a hyperextended right knee suffered while making a touchdown catch the previous week against Pittsburgh. Speaking prior to practice on Wednesday, Green said he did have significant improvement and would try to practice but was unsure of his status for Sunday's game at Paul Brown Stadium. "It's pretty tough not being out there and being able to help my team out," said Green. "But that comes with football. I'm just going to try to get healthy.""
A.J. Green wants to play, but will defer to doctors
November 20
Pro Football Talk
 
"Now that we know Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis won't play against the Bengals on Sunday, the question becomes whether Bengals receiver A.J. Green will play against the Ravens. Officially listed as doubtful with a hyperextended knee, Green wants to give it a try, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN."
Green unlikely to play Sunday
November 19
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Barring an incredible recovery, the Bengals offense will be without the services of A.J. Green for Sunday's key AFC North clash at Baltimore. The rookie wide receiver is listed as doubtful with a hyperextended right knee and has not practiced all week. There have been only a couple cases where a player hasn't practiced all week and then played on Sunday. In the locker room on Friday, Green didn't sound hopeful about his chances. The only thing head coach Marvin Lewis said after practice is "I don't know." Andre Caldwell would get the start in place of Green but the one receiver who will have to stand up is Jerome Simpson. That has hardly been the case this year. To say the fourth-year"
Bengals: Green a game-time decision
November 17
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Wide receiver A.J. Green was one of 12 Bengals to show up on the team's injury report Wednesday, including nine who did not participate in practice. Green suffered a right knee injury when he caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Andy Dalton with 14 seconds left in the first quarter of last Sunday's 24-17 loss against Pittsburgh. He leads the Bengals with 41 catches, 635 yards and six touchdown receptions. Green had a MRI performed on Monday and said it showed he did not suffer any torn ligaments. He was limping as he walked through the locker room on Wednesday. "Just hyperextended my knee, got a little bone bruise," said Green. "Everything's fine. They say I dodged a bullet –"
Bengals WR Green says exam showed only bone bruise in knee
November 16
NFL.com
 
"Bengals rookie wide receiver A.J. Green said he will sit out practice Wednesday and will be a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, according to multiple reports. Green suffered a hyperextended right knee on his only catch in last week's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers -- a 36-yard touchdown reception -- and sat out the second half. Green told the Bengals' official website an MRI exam revealed only a bone bruise in the knee. The test also revealed no ligament damage, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer."
Bengals' A.J. Green a game-time decision
November 16
ESPN.com
 
"Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green said he is a game-time decision Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Green, the fourth overall pick of the 2011 draft, injured his knee last Sunday on a 36-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. He was limited after that and didn't play in the second half of Cincinnati's 24-17 loss to Pittsburgh. Asked about this availability for Sunday in Baltimore, Green told the Enquirer on Wednesday, "I don't know. It's going to be a game-time decision.""
Hall out for season; Green optimistic about knee
November 14
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Cornerback Leon Hall entered Sunday's game with the longest active games played streak by a Bengals player. It appears though that streak will be over. Hall's season is over after he tore his right Achilles during the second quarter of the 24-17 loss to the Steelers. The team is expected to place Hall on season-ending injured reserve on Monday and head coach Marvin Lewis will address where the secondary goes from here during his 3 p.m. news conference. "I don't know what happened. I couldn't put pressure on it," Hall said before getting an MRI. Hall has the longest current streak of games played by a Bengal at 74 games, including 66 straight starts. Either Kelly Jennings or Adam Jones"
Physical corners await Green
November 11
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The last time A.J. Green faced a division opponent, he was shut out until the fourth quarter when he got his first NFL touchdown. As the Bengals return to AFC North play on Sunday against the Steelers, Green will face a pair of physical corners in Pittsburgh's Ike Taylor and William Gay. "They're playing a lot more man coverage than they have in past seasons," Green said. "They're a great defense and we are going to be up for a challenge from me." Through the first half of the season, Green leads NFL rookies in receptions (40), receiving yards (599) and touchdowns (five). He is on pace for 80 receptions and 1,196 yards which would break the rookie marks set by Cris Collinsworth in 1981."
Green answers Sherman's criticism
November 3
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Seattle CB Richard Sherman wasn't all that impressed with Bengals rookie WR A.J. Green. A day after the Bengals had beaten the Seahawks 34-12 Sherman told radio station KJR reporter Curtis Crabtree: "He's probably one of the most overrated receivers out there. He wasn't anything special. (Andy) Dalton is a good quarterback. He makes good decisions. But A.J. Green is just a lot of noise-talking and bad routes." Green had four catches for 63 yards, one being a 43-yard touchdown in the second quarter over safety Earl Thomas that gave the Bengals a 17-3 lead but he called his performance inconsistent and one in which he needed to improve greatly upon. In particular, Green wasn't pleased with"
Richard Sherman: A.J. Green is overrated, runs bad routes
November 1
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
"Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman impressed coach Pete Carroll in his first career start on Sunday. But Bengals receiver A.J. Green did not impress Richard Sherman. Want to know what Sherman thought of the Bengals vaunted rookie? Well, he was pretty up-front about his opinion when speaking with intrepid KJR reporter Curtis Crabtree after the game. "He's probably one of the most overrated receivers out there," Sherman told Crabtree. "He wasn't anything special. Dalton is a good quarterback. He makes good decisions. But A.J. Green is just a lot of noise-talking and bad routes.""
Rookie wideouts for Bengals, Seahawks rise on different paths
October 27
Seattle Times
 
"The pair of rookies are separated by nine catches, but a good six inches. Cincinnati's A.J. Green stands 6 feet 4, was the first receiver chosen in this year's draft and leads all rookies with 29 catches. Seattle's Doug Baldwin is 5-10, wasn't among the 28 receivers drafted, and his only pre-draft visit was with the New York Giants that consisted of little more than an introduction to coach Tom Coughlin. But Baldwin has caught 20 passes this season, tops among the Seahawks and fourth-most among all rookies. "It doesn't matter what situation you're in, anything can happen," Baldwin said."
Dalton, Green NFL rookie of the year contenders
October 26
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"There's still 10 weeks left in the regular season, but the debates about which rookie has had the better year have been ongoing. With the numbers that Cam Newton has put up in Carolina, many wonder if Andy Dalton and A.J. Green have a chance at being the third player in Bengals history to win the award, joining Eddie Brown (1985) and Carl Pickens (1992). Former Bengal Boomer Esiason, who is one of the 50 voters for the Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, said there is a lot of time left in the race. "This is the part of the season where rookies enter into the grind, where the pressure doesn't let up and they aren't used to playing this many games," Esiason said. "If"
Green finally wins in Jacksonville
October 10
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"It was a homecoming of sorts for three Cincinnati Bengals players Sunday who made a return trip to Jacksonville where they had contrasting success at what is now EverBank Field. Reggie Nelson and Andre Caldwell played for the University of Florida and A.J. Green is a former Georgia Bulldog wide receiver. All three players played in several Florida-Georgia games, contested annually in Jacksonville. For Nelson and Caldwell, it was a winning experience. Nelson was 2-0 and Caldwell 3-1 in games at Jacksonville. It was just the opposite for Green as Georgia lost the last three meetings to Florida, all of which Green played in. That made Sunday's win, albeit against the Jaguars, especially sweet"
Young Bengals have bought into Lewis' philosophy
October 10
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Marvin Lewis is forever a southwestern Pennsylvania hardhead, who doesn't embrace or trust much that doesn't involve working hard or working harder. So many slogans and symbols over the last nine years: Be A Pro. Do Your Job. Keep chopping the wood, men. Keep shoveling the coal. Lewis has had some teams that took all of that (and him) to heart. Last year's team wasn't one of those. Last year's team mocked what Lewis stands for. This year's model might be the best Lewis has had, when it comes to adopting his world view. After the professional 30-20 win over Jacksonville, I asked Lewis what he knew about his team now that he didn't know five weeks ago. He said "nothing,'' then ad-libbed a"
Ex-Bulldogs A.J. Green and Geno Atkins have their day against Jaguars
October 10
Jacksonville Times-Union
 
"It was a day of firsts for two former University of Georgia players now playing for the Cincinnati Bengals. A.J. Green and Geno Atkins were a combined 1-7 at Everbank Field before a 30-20 victory Sunday over the Jaguars. Rookie wide receiver Green turned a third-and-17 situation into a 37-yard touchdown pass from Andy Dalton to give the Bengals their first points of the game in the first quarter. Green led Cincinnati with five receptions for 90 yards to be on the winning side for the first time in three trips to Jacksonville. Atkins, a second-year defensive tackle, scored a bizarre touchdown on the game's final play, scooping up a fumble by Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert and going into"
Frustrating night for Green
August 22
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"While everyone has been focusing on the development of rookie quarterback Andy Dalton, first-round pick A.J. Green had an extremely frustrating night. The rookie receiver was targeted five times but had only one reception for 8 yards in the Bengals 27-7 loss to the Jets on Sunday. "I should have had all of them. I just have to make the play," Green said. "It was raining but it's my job to catch the ball. Some of the balls that I dropped were key balls like third down and long that I should have had.""
A.J. Green returns to practice field
August 19
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"After giving fans a brief scare on Wednesday after injuring his right leg, A.J. Green was back on the practice field Thursday for the Bengals final practice at Georgetown College and said he is ready to play on Sunday against the Jets. "I'm fine. I was just sore yesterday and took precautions," said Green, who said he was feeling 100 percent. Green took part in all of the drills during the 90-minute session and ran without a limp. After being wracked by injuries the past week the receiving corps got another player back as Quan Cosby took part in his first practice in over a week. With head coach Marvin Lewis saying that he expects the starters to play close to a half on Sunday, Green said"
Green's knee injury brings practice to a standstill
August 18
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"There was a little bit of a lump in the throats of Bengals fans and coaches early during Wednesday's practice when A.J. Green came up limping with an injury to his right leg after running a route. Green went to the locker room shortly thereafter with ice on the back of the leg but midway through the two-hour practice at Georgetown College, he returned and watched the rest of practice with a sleeve on his right knee. After practice, head coach Marvin Lewis indicated that Green was kicked in the area near the knee but that it wasn't serious. Green, who was the fourth overall pick in the draft, also said the injury wasn't serious and that he had hoped to practice Thursday when the Bengals"
A.J. Green, Andy Dalton get quality time for bonding
August 2
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"Three days into practice and the Bengals' top two draft picks continue to progress. A.J. Green and Andy Dalton are connecting on a routine basis, including a couple of long bombs during Monday morning's session on the upper field at Georgetown College. Green, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Sunday, was wide open on one of the passes after he did a double move on Leon Hall that caused the veteran cornerback to lose his footing. Among other highlights from Green on Monday was a jump ball over Chris Crocker and beating Fred Bennett on another bomb. "A.J. again showed his physical prowess in making the plays out there today. There is no doubt that he gives us a step up," coach Marvin Lewis"
Bengals go Green at wide receiver
July 29
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"On the day the Chad Ochocinco era ended, A.J. Green said he wouldn't let the pressure of trying to become the Bengals new top receiver affect him. Green agreed to terms on a four-year deal worth $19.6 million on Thursday. He becomes the team's first opening-round draft choice to report to camp on time since 2006. "I've dealt with pressure. I've had pressure my whole life," Green said. "Being a big-time recruit coming out and being that guy at Georgia, it's no different. I don't let the outside world affect me (on) the field." While training camp absences for first-round picks have become a norm for the Bengals, the new collective bargaining agreement has taken away much of the negotiating."
A.J. Green agrees to terms with Bengals
July 28
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"While everyone awaits the Johnathan Joseph decision, the NFL's decision to go to a rookie salary system means the Bengals will have their first-round pick reporting to camp on time. The team has agreed to terms with A.J. Green. Per a league source, the deal for four years at $19.6 million plus performance incentives (the $19.6 million is guaranteed). There is a club option to extend the deal to a fifth year which must be exercised after the 2013 season. Green's salary for 2015 would then be the average salary of the top 10 receivers. To show the brand new world of the rookie salary system, last year's fourth overall pick, Trent Williams, signed a six-year contract with the Redskins worth"
Green's arrival signals changes are afoot in Cincinnati
June 10
Pro Football Weekly
 
"During his first press conference in front of the Cincinnati media, new Bengals WR A.J. Green said he was just a country guy who didn't have a lot to say and didn't tweet much. As Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said later, "He's a different breed of receiver." That might be an understatement considering what Bengals fans are used to. "I'm more of a low-key, behind-the-scenes kind of guy. I just try to do my job," said Green, who played collegiately at Georgia and was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2011 draft. After an offseason that has seen QB Carson Palmer demand to be traded and threaten retirement and WR Chad Ochocinco say and do anything other than wanting to play football, less"
Green's a talent, but who's going to throw to him?
April 29
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"The idea of using the fourth overall draft pick on a wide receiver when you have no quarterback is so predictably Bengal-esque, this column could write itself. Everyone says newest Bengal A.J. Green has great hands, long arms and catches balls blindfolded, with one hand tied behind his back. "The best feature about him is he doesn't have a best feature. They're all great features,'' was the opinion of Bengals new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden. Yeah? Can he throw a deep out? As this is being written, maybe the Bengals high-ups are marching double-time in their WAR ROOM, seeking to trade up for a QB of the future. "Hopefully, we'll get somebody in the second round,'' Gruden said. "Right"
Bengals new receiver A.J. Green praised for Moss-like big-play skills
April 29
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"There's still the matter of who will quarterback the Bengals, but they did draft someone who could be their No. 1 receiver for years to come. For the first time since 2000, the team went for a wide receiver in the first round, selecting Georgia's A.J. Green. It is the eighth time in team history they have gone for a receiver in the first round. "Just as we tried to not pull the wool over everyone's eyes we were going to stay true and pick the player and how we had them graded," coach Marvin Lewis said. "We spent a lot of time in the evaluation process making sure we were on the same page." While Lewis was muted in his enthusiasm, offensive coordinator Jay Gruden said he felt like he just"