Browns Blog

Lots of luck

You might remember Green, who was selected by the Browns in the first round of the 2002 draft. Then-coach Butch Davis thought Green would be the long-term answer to the team's struggles on the ground.

Unfortunately, for the Browns and Green, things didn't work out well. Green had a strong second half to his rookie season, helping lead the way to the franchise's only playoff appearance since expansion. His long touchdown run in the season finale that helped seal a win over the Atlanta Falcons was the first great moment in the new history of the team.

Green's career and life began to spiral out of control the following season. He was suspended by the NFL for violating its substance-abuse policy midway through the season. He was later the victim of an alleged knife attack by his wife.

Green returned to the team to be locked in a seemingly never-ending battle for playing time with Lee Suggs. Green was eventually relegated to special-teams duty. He was released after the 2005 season.

Green had been away from the football scene until recently. Various reports state that he has straightened out his troubled life and is serious about playing football again.

The scouts will decide if that happens. Apparently, they weren't impressed with the 40 times he registered at pro day.

It would be great to see Green return to the NFL, if he does nothing more than play special teams. Out of all the stories of poor upbringings athletes bring with them to the NFL, none was worse than Green's story.

Green lost both of his parents to drug problems. He was raised by a grandparent on the mean streets of Atlantic City. The fact he went on to become a first-round draft choice and make a lot of money is a credit to him.

Hopefully, he can beat the odds one more time.