A.J. Green knows about big numbers, but the Cincinnati superstar is not necessarily worried about wracking them up. He even suggested recently that if he caught fewer passes, the Bengals might be better -- kind of like the Falcons improved last season as wideout Julio Jones had fewer receptions than before.
While rehabbing a torn hamstring that limited him to 10 games last season, Green took a break at Kennesaw State University, north of Atlanta and near his home in Roswell, Ga, to tell Bengals.com reporter Geoff Hobson, “Look at the year Julio had. He was coming off an 1,800-yard season and he had what last year? (1,409).”
Mindful that the Falcons won the NFC Championship, and were on track to beat the Patriots after a spectacular fourth-quarter reception by Jones, Green's view has evolved. Earning Pro Bowl honors in each of his six NFL seasons, with 481 receptions, 7,185 yards and 49 touchdowns, he's earned the right to opine.
“That’s because they put all the weapons around him. He still made the same plays he made when he had the 1,800 yards, but when they double-teamed him they had (Mohammed Sanu) and (Tyler) Gabriel,” Green said. “They’ve got to respect those guys. They went to the Super Bowl and Julio had (1,400) yards. It’s all about what you want. That’s the ultimate goal is to win the championship.”
The Falcons also rolled with MVP Matt Ryan at quarterback, and perhaps the NFL’s top running back tandem in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.
But there’s hardly any arguing Green’s point: a deeper roster is, usually, a better roster.
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