http://fflivewire.com/Article.asp?ID=342007pnh6978ni RB Ahman Green narrows it down to Texans and Broncos Written by: ? 3/4/2007 Source: www.houstontexans.com Ahman Green was all ready for the whirlwind tour. The four-time Pro Bowl running back had the visits all lined up as free agency began this weekend. He was going to see the world. Until he went to Denver and Houston. The tour's over now. "I've gotten to a point where I've seen enough," Green said Sunday. "I don't need to venture out any more. I know a few teams that will be a little disappointed because I did have other visits set up. But after the two teams I've visited, I don't need to see any more." That would seem to bode well for the Texans, who could use the services of Green. He's one of the top running backs in free agency and he could have dragged this recruiting thing out a while. But he obviously liked what he saw in Denver and Houston. "The visit went good," Green said of Houston. "It was everything I expected. Right off the plane, I knew where I was at in Texas. You do everything big down here." Coincidentally, Green got to see the Houston Rockets play back-to-back games, Friday in Denver and Saturday in Houston. He watched the Rockets at Toyota Center with Texans lineman Ephraim Salaam and was spotlighted and announced to the crowd. "I enjoyed myself at the (Rockets) game and I've enjoyed myself everywhere," Green said. "I'm just kind of taking a step back and taking everything in. I've been meeting the coaches and seeing the facilities." And after 10 years in the NFL in which he has amassed 8,491 yards to go with a sterling 4.5 yards-per-carry average, Green expects the hard recruiting sell he has received. "It's got to be there," Green said. "It's the nature of our business. It's the nature of everything going on in free agency. "I went to Denver first, then came here. I was just talking to my agent and told him it's been a good overwhelming feeling. I've been to two places that definitely want me. I feel that when I talk to coaches and when I talk to players." Green says he gets a sense of closeness among the Texans players. "I've known Ephraim for a while and I talked to him last night," Green said. "It's definitely something I'm looking for, that family atmosphere where everybody knows each other, knows the kids and moms and dads and stuff like that. "That's a good thing. That's what makes a team successful. I know Houston is in the early stages of its development and it's been rough in the beginning. But this is an organization that's taking the steps to get to that respectable level in the NFL. "I'm just looking for a situation where I feel comfortable around the players and around the coaches, somewhere I can basically be myself, come down here and just play football and have fun. That's what I'm looking for." Green says he hasn't totally ruled out returning to Green Bay. "That's where the majority of my career has been," he said. "I think speaking in general with anybody who's been in a situation for a long time. Regardless of whether it's good or bad. I've been there seven years and there's been some good and some bad so regardless staying or leaving would be tough." But he admits the positives in Houston are impressive. "It's a nice little list," he said. "All I've seen here is good. The neighborhoods, the people, the atmosphere of the town, the weather, you can't beat that. "And now to meet the players. A few of them I know like coach (Mike) Sherman. And some of the players I've played with like Mike Flanagan, Samkon (Gado), Vonta Leach, Kris Brown. Knowing those guys makes it a little bit easier. "I know one thing. Whatever decision I go with it's not going to be a bad decision for me or the team. Especially with Houston. They're young and they definitely need some more veterans. There are veterans here that have leadership and I think they're looking for someone like myself." Green went to four straight Pro Bowls from 2001 to 2004 before a leg injury in 2005 ended his season after only five games. But he came back to rush for 1,059 yards in just 14 games last season. He had 1,883 yards and 15 touchdowns, both career highs, in 2003. The rushing figure was the seventh best in NFL history. Free agency is already moving quickly this year. The Texans also had a visit from wide receiver Ashley Lelie planned this weekend. But the ex-Atlanta Falcon cancelled his trip to Houston and signed a contract to play with the 49ers Saturday night. Cross one more potential RB off the list.... I never wanted him anyway.
I'm not gonna set up a candle light vigil, but I thought he would have been a good fit with the Jets for a good price.
Another one bites the dust. It's looking more and more like Houston/Washington part II: The rushing nightmare continues. It's all about the draft, as many on this board state, free agents are a waste of time so I guess this makes lots of folks happy.
now this is interesting. IF the browns don't take adrian peterson many thought that he would then be taken by the texans. But, now since they signed ahman green would they take adrian? Then who would be next in line to take him? packers? and does that mean that lynch falls to the jets? Or if denver takes lynch, does carriker fall to the jets? most interesting....
Good news, as far as I'm concerned. Now I just hope Corey Dillon get signed by someone else. At this point, Duckett looks like the best option.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Chris Brown rush for about 156 yards last year? I believe Brad Smith was within like 40 yards of that amount. Why would we invest in this guy?
I don't like any of the options but they need a Kevan Barlow for this year - aka a guy who can handle 5 or 6 carries a game and pound out the hard yards. Chris Brown does not fit that profile. Corey Dillon fit the profile 3 years ago - now he's way past his prime.
And with their second pick in the 2nd round the Jets select Brian Leonard, RB, Rutgers University. And the crowd cheers wildly.
and this is Jets news how? if the idea is that it is because it eliminates them from signing with the Jets, then that is an awfully lenient criteria. what's next, anytime a player signs an extension mid season it is also Jet news because it means he won't be able to be signed by the Jets as well?
everyone really needs to calm down. runningback is a concern but theres so many chances we're gonna have. the draft has a lot of good backs, clearly judging by the money invested in green and davis (if they keep him), they arent going to draft a rb leaving another good back on the board. therers duckett who didnt play because he came in late and just didnt fit into the system, that wasnt his fault, he just lacked playing time. chris brown is a joke and mangini didnt take him last year for a 3rd rounder and he wont this year. travis is one strike away from being a goner. the only back id take with a wrap like travis's is..ricky williams if he returns and miami cuts him. theres corey dillon who would be good for the right price. we have so much time to get a good back so just because we havent gotten one in the first 72 hours of free agency, we shouldnt panick. its ridiculous
I'm very content with that combination actually... Especially once we get a RT, an upgrade at RG and a FB. I think we're going to sign a RB soon though.
LOL like any free agent running back available this year we sign is going to make the rushing unit better. We can have LT back there and we would still have trouble running the ball. For the love of god we need blockers, specifically road graders, more specifically to compliment the finesse O-line players already in place. Once we do this then we can cry about what mediocre/over-the-hill/scrub is signed elswhere to warm another teams bench.
As we've discussed in other posts, we didn't bid on any "road graders" either. So no matter if they are running backs, offensive linemen or defensive linemen, we're on the sidelines which I know you're comfortable with. Hopefully we can fill everyone of our needs with only four picks on day one at the end of April (although our needs seem to outweigh the volume of picks and assumes everyone of those picks will be a success and not an Anthony Schlegel like bust...)
I have to agree with you, I think Cedric Houston could be a great 1-2 punch with Leon Washington. I think the numbers are quite untelling for him this season. He always runs very hard and gets the most out of carries. If we just get an upgrade or two on the offensive line and a blocking FB, they have a chance to be a great duo. There were times when he would get a handoff and just get buried before he could even move.
