Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Ahman Greens No. 1 goal: play for Packers this season
You can read my column on Ahman Green and his recent venture into the teaching profession at De Pere High School.
But besides his passion for education and his next career, Green made it clear he isnt ready to give up football just yet. Specifically, he wants to play for the Packers this season. Following are excerpts from a conversation Tuesday with Green, who looks fit and ready to suit up in a game today.
On the 2009 season, in which he signed with the Packers in October: It was great. (We were) 11-5, losing in first-round playoffs but we made it to the playoffs. Thats a big goal for all NFL teams. It was a tough game. But to finish the season (in the second half of the year) the way we did, (we have) no reason to hang our head.
On whether he expects to return to the Packers:
Im excited. Hopefully I can get there sooner than later, to do training camp and all that with the guys, to get ready for the 2010 season. Im excited. I know those guys are excited right now.
On how hes preparing, in case he plays this season:
Im keeping myself in shape. Myself and my agent have talked with Ted Thompson, and the guys upstairs. Its really something that theyre going to look at the draft and go from there.
On where hes working out, since as an unrestricted free agent he cant use the Packers facilities:
Im here in town. I found a place here. (Ex-Packer) Don Beebe has a facility here now (House of Speed). Ive been there for month and a half, running, staying in shape. Hopefully when I get that phone call from Green Bay, nobody else, to come in...Ill be ready to go.
On what the Packers told him following the 2009 season:
Everything was very positive. They were happy the way I came in, became a leader. (They were) happy where I interrelated with all the guys on the team. It was a younger bunch than when I was there (the first time). Picked up the playbook well, just kind of gave a little boost to the team.
On the stigma of NFL running backs over age 30 hitting a wall:
Im still playing football to change that thought of running backs at the age of 30. Really its an unfair thing. Were taking care of our bodies very well, from eating right and doing things we need to do, we keep ourselves in top physical condition. To be realistic, probably (a 30-something player) is not going to be what he was when he was 20, but can he still go get the job done? Yes. Some teams let some good players go because of their age. They might lose out on that. If I get a chance with the Packers or whoever it might be, (I want) to prove that thought wrong.
On how many years he can still play in the NFL:
The way Im looking at it is take it one year at a time. And I feel great right now.
On his performance in 2009:
Very happy. I enjoyed it very much. It was fun. Lot of new guys were great. Some of the guys that were there when I was playing there the first term, they grew up. That was interesting to see how they changed. It was great.
On whether hes hopeful the Packers will re-sign him:
Im always hopeful, Im always optimistic.
On whether his future with the Packers depends how their draft unfolds:
It could be. I dont know. Thats something out of my hands. I dont control that part of it. Im just going to control me, do the things I need to do to have myself in the right position when the opportunity presents itself.
On the prospects of the Packers being special this season:
Oh yeah. Its scary how good the guys that are there are, because theyre so young.
On why he thinks the Packers should re-sign him:
Im a leader ...Ive been where a lot of these rookies are going. I basically know how to do it. Im going to work hard, get in the playbook. When those guys draft rookies and they see me in the locker room busting my (tail) and working hard, as a rookie they say This guy has been around forever and hes still working just as hard as I am if not harder. Hes still determined and driven. They see that, that will build. That will be a good foundation for rookies to build off of for their career. Keep that tradition. That would be one thing to bring to the table.