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Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001
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Come back, Darrell
Green should return for his 20th NFL season
By Keith Schleiden, Managing editor
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| Will he or won’t he? That seems to be the
question on everybody’s mind in Washington. Will Darrell Green retire, as he stated
he would before the start of the season? Or will he come back for his 20th NFL
season, which would be unprecedented for a cornerback?
There have been some reports that Green is reconsidering his original plan. And there
have been some rumblings that there are people within the organization who would love to
see him back. After hearing that, head coach Marty Schottenheimer said he would welcome
Green back to the team in 2002.
But what about Darrell? What does he want to do?
"Right now, as far as we stand, nothing’s changed," Green said on
Wednesday.
Well, that’s not exactly what we’ve been hearing out of Redskins camp. Rookie
CB Fred Smoot puts the odds of Green returning at 50-50. The young corner who took
Green’s starting job said that the veteran has dropped hints that he will be back
next season. While Green has done some spin control trying to clarify Smoot’s
comments, it seems as though Green is leaving the door open.
He has noted that it feels good to have fans imploring him to return. And let’s
face it, Green has played pretty well this year. In fact, if you didn’t already know
it, would you believe this guy is 41 years old? Didn’t think so.
Green could be a valuable part of this team next season. He’s no longer a starter,
but he is a very capable No. 3 corner behind Smoot and Champ Bailey. He also filled in
admirably in the starting lineup when Smoot was injured.
Green should also consider the good that his foundation could get out of a second
farewell tour of the NFL. Initially, he hoped that his foundation — which benefits
inner-city youth — would get a big boost this season. He hoped fans in Washington, as
well as other cities on the Redskins' schedule, would donate money to the effort. But the
terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 dashed those hopes. There has been very little publicity for
Green’s foundation, which has hurt the fund-raising.
Next season, though, Green’s foundation could get all the pub that he wants it to.
And all he has to do is put on the pads for one more season. It’s win-win for
everyone involved. The Redskins retain a valuable member of the defense, Green pleases the
fans and adds to his already impressive legacy, and the kids who are aided by his
generosity also get a boost.
So, come on back for one more year, Darrell. |
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