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WR A.J. Green, ARZ (2 Viewers)

Yeah, starting to get that feeling as well.  Bengals are notoriously cheap, so don't see them paying up for a 31 year old oft injured WR.  And read that (in this thread?) That other teams are skeptical that Vinci will trade him away.  And with NOTHING to play for it doesn't feel like they'll be under any pressure to make somethings happen one way (new contract) or another (trade).  Still, can't drop him without more definitive info

 
Boggles my mind that they wouldn’t trade him, especially if reports are true that they could get a 1st.  You could make an argument that they don’t even really need him anymore given their long-term situation

 
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Took AJ Green over Godwin because I already had taken Mike Evans, and having both your WRs relying on Jameis Winston felt pretty sketchy.

Man that pick just looks worse and worse every week.

 
Faust said:
Bengals' A.J. Green ready for anything at deadline
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The amazing thing about this headline is that it COMPLETELY overlooks his progress update within the original article on the official Bengals site.

It is 5:15 p.m. on a Wednesday and A.J. Green’s teammates are starting to leave Paul Brown Stadium after their first full day of preparing for the Ravens Sunday (1 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel 12) in Baltimore.

You remember the Ravens? The Paul has been Green’s home for nine seasons, but Baltimore has been his stomping grounds. He has more yards against the Browns (953-886), but more kills against the Ravens.

Now it is 5:20 p.m. and Green is doing what the pros do.

“I’ve got until about 6:30,” Green is saying on a training table. “That’s the way it’s been. I get in at 6:30 and leave at 6:30. That’s rehab.”  

Green won’t play in Baltimore. Maybe the next week against the Jags. That looks like his first real shot. If not, Bengals royalty maybe returns the next week after that in Wembley. As long as there’s not a setback. A twinge. A grab.

Right now, he’s just happy that on Wednesday he ran at full speed and cut for the first time since injuring his ankle in the first 45 minutes of training camp and now everyone is crossing their fingers to see how it responds.

“I felt good. Let’s see how it feels tomorrow,” Green says. “The biggest thing right now is getting the strength back, getting all the muscles strong and the mental part of it down. I want to play so bad, I can lock out the pain. I can’t do that. I’ll be hurting myself in the long run.”

And Green says there is a long run. “Five years left at a high level,” he says.

Everyone wants to know if he’s going to be Larry Fitzgerald from the age of 31 on (486 catches, 31 TDs, 5,270 yards, 10.8 yards per catch) or Chad Johnson (154 catches, 14 TDs, 1,854 yards, 13.9 yards per catch).

 As he flashed last Sunday at PBS, Fitzgerald at 36 is still damn good. Huge. But Hall-of-Fame dangerous. At 35 turning 36, Isaac Bruce caught 21 balls. At 36 turning 37, Terrell Owns led the Bengals in receiving (the circus  eclipsed his nine TDs and 13.9 yards per catch while playing hurt) and he would have had 1,000 yards easy if he didn’t get injured. At 33, Randy Moss caught 28 balls for the Patriots, Vikings and Jets. At age 35, Steve Smith was a monster for the Ravens with 79 catches and 1,065 yards.

Larry or Chad? Moss or Smith?

Certainly when he comes back from this injury, Green says he’ll be A.J.

“I think I’ll be the same guy,” Green said. “There’s been nothing career-threatening. Nothing you’d call major.

“When I’m healthy, give me 16 games and my yardage will be crazy.”

Bengals head strength and conditioning coach Joey Boese is a believer. He’s in his first year, seen Green practice for less than hour and he can’t get enough of the guy. “A genetic freak,” is what Boese calls him. “Genetically gifted.”

“A.J. Green is a pro in all senses of the word,” Boese says. “Everything he does is full speed. He’s not only a great player, he’s a great guy. He doesn’t cut corners.”

Even when he was hurt, Green was voted a captain.

This is what pros do. They get in at 6:30 in the morning to rehab. They work with rehab chief Nick Cosgray in Paul Sparling’s training room before heading out to the weight room to work with Boese and assistants Todd Hunt and Garrett Swanson. They meet with the receivers, too, and they spend time with assistant quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher going over the game plan.

Pros go to walk-throughs and during practice they watch the offense before heading over to the rehab field with Cosgray. That’s where this pro was Wednesday making those long-awaited cuts. When the pro starts standing next to Boese on the rehab field and running those long sprints, he’s close.

The pros not there yet, but he’s a pro.

“He’s not like most guys,” Boese is saying. “He got back in the weight room about five to six weeks ago and it didn’t take him very long to get back where he was.”

Boese shakes his head. Here’s a Hall-of-Fame player who loves to train and knows what it means. The weight-room guys marvel at how much he can squat. They don’t want to put a number out there. They laugh, though. They would never go overboard with of a certain number of plates on the bar, but there’s no doubt in their minds Green could squat it.

“It’s just me. That’s my emotions on the sidelines. I’m not a robot on the sidelines,” says Green of the all-too familiar TV shots of him suffering this season. “I’m thinking how I wish I was out there. Thinking what I would do if I was out there.

“But you play this game long enough, you’ll have set backs at some point in your career.”

It is 5:25 p.m. on the training table and that’s a lot of time to look at your phone. It’s been blowing up for a few days since everyone wearing stripes but Garfield has been mentioned in trade rumors.

The texts have come from all over. “A.J., you should go here. A.J., you should go there.” But you know Green. He’s a safe harbor in the choppy seas of NFL divas. He’s not fantasizing about following Moss and Chad to New England.

Green's name is strewn all over the Bengals record book.

“I tell everybody I haven’t heard anything,” Green says. “I don’t fantasize about anything like that. I’m just trying to get healthy and go from there.”

He also knows it’s a business: “I’m prepared for anything. A trade’s not going to change who I am. I’m still going to play. I’m still going to be A.J.”

Green’s in the last year of his deal and the Bengals have never hid from their desire to lock up one of their franchise greats one more time for a third contract that solidifies him as the Bengals all-time leading receiver and locker-room anchor for new head coach Zac Taylor’s culture.

The injury, coming on the heels of big toe surgery that wiped out the last half of last season, put the contract talks that were percolating during the summer on hold. Now the Bengals are focused on getting a win and Green is focused on getting back healthy. Everybody has to see where everybody is. What we do know is that a fire sale just isn’t Bengals president Mike Brown’s style. A deal with one of his all-time greats is more like it.

It certainly is to Green. As he told Paul Dehner, Jr., of The Athletic last week, he wants to pull The Larry and stay in the same city for his entire career like Fitzgerald has spent his 17 season in Phoenix.

The trade rumors and the start have done nothing to shake him. He says if the contract is fair, he’s all in. Whether they re-build or not. He says he’s not looking to jump to a hot team.

“That’s just not who I am. I’m loyal to the person who gave me my shot,” Green says. “They took care of Larry. He’s a Cardinal. No matter how many times they rebuild, he’s a Cardinal. He’s the only guy still there.”

So amid the buzz, the contraption strapped to his foot on the training table, the contract, Green is as impassive and as intense as ever. “We’ll see,” he says of the future. Right now he just wants to get back and win games and get back in the AFC North race.

“I want the team records. I want more Pro Bowls. I want all that,” Green says, “so when I leave there is going to be a standard. I still want the yardage, I still want the touchdowns.”

He says he also wants to do it for one team. “That’s my legacy,” he says. Green, 1,877 yards shy of passing Chad Johnson as the Bengals’ all-time leader, has had to scale back his career projections.

Before the last two injuries robbed him of at least 14 healthy games, he was thinking between 15-16,000 yards. With 8,907 yards, now he’s thinking 13-14,000. He thinks that still gets him into the Hall of Fame. He plans on tacking on to those seven Pro Bowls and if he adds two or three he probably will get to Canton. Five more Pro Bowls would make him a no-brainer.

It’s 5:30 p.m. More guys are leaving. The thing on his ankle is strapped to a machine humming with stimulation. It alternates between heat and cold, just like Green’s frosty brew of passion. A pro's hour remaining.

“It’s nothing frustrating. It’s just time. I just have to be patient,” Green says. “I can’t rush it and not be the same guy and mess around and get hurt again. I’ve got to make sure it’s right before I even step out there.”

 
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Speaking Thursday, Bengals coach Zac Taylor was adamant the team would not be trading contract-year WR A.J. Green.

"I’ve heard the speculation," Taylor said. "We are not trading that guy." Taylor came across as "definitive" to the assembled media. If true, it better mean the Bengals are all in on re-signing Green, because otherwise the stance makes no sense. Not that a rebuilding team doubling down on a 31-year-old wideout with a massive new contract makes a lot of sense, either. It's hardly a unique trait in the NFL, but the Bengals often find themselves stuck in the past.

SOURCE: Paul Dehner on Twitter

Oct 10, 2019, 4:20 PM ET
Click to expand...

 
Faust said:
Speaking Thursday, Bengals coach Zac Taylor was adamant the team would not be trading contract-year WR A.J. Green.

"I’ve heard the speculation," Taylor said. "We are not trading that guy." Taylor came across as "definitive" to the assembled media. If true, it better mean the Bengals are all in on re-signing Green, because otherwise the stance makes no sense. Not that a rebuilding team doubling down on a 31-year-old wideout with a massive new contract makes a lot of sense, either. It's hardly a unique trait in the NFL, but the Bengals often find themselves stuck in the past.

SOURCE: Paul Dehner on Twitter

Oct 10, 2019, 4:20 PM ET
Click to expand...
.....and.........3.......2..........1... OMG......he got traded. Go figure. If they don't, they are complete fools.

 
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Faust said:
Speaking Thursday, Bengals coach Zac Taylor was adamant the team would not be trading contract-year WR A.J. Green.

"I’ve heard the speculation," Taylor said. "We are not trading that guy." Taylor came across as "definitive" to the assembled media. If true, it better mean the Bengals are all in on re-signing Green, because otherwise the stance makes no sense. Not that a rebuilding team doubling down on a 31-year-old wideout with a massive new contract makes a lot of sense, either. It's hardly a unique trait in the NFL, but the Bengals often find themselves stuck in the past.

SOURCE: Paul Dehner on Twitter

Oct 10, 2019, 4:20 PM ET
Click to expand...
Posted at 4:20 because they’d have to be high af to not trade him
Click to expand...

 
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I have a feeling that unless Mike Brown effs up and gives him an insulting offer ala Whitworth AJ is gonna be a lifelong Bengal just like Larry Fitz.  That it's what he wants.  And at the end of the end of the day I'll be plenty happy with that.  I get value this and that but sometimes you just gotta have your guy.  And AJ is our guy.

-QG

 
QuizGuy66 said:
I have a feeling that unless Mike Brown effs up and gives him an insulting offer ala Whitworth AJ is gonna be a lifelong Bengal just like Larry Fitz.  That it's what he wants.  And at the end of the end of the day I'll be plenty happy with that.  I get value this and that but sometimes you just gotta have your guy.  And AJ is our guy.

-QG
Click to expand...
And that, along with a lot of other stuff, is why the Bengals will never be the Patriots.  

 
With the management we got it's a practical position to take.  With better ownership I could be less sentimental like a Patriots fan.  In this case the AJ :wub:  is fine because honestly it is gonns take divine intervention for Mike Brown to get it right.

-QG

 
even on a football level AJ probably would be worth more than the inevitably injured dude we pick with that first rounder.  I am surprised that we haven't seen a Bengals first rounder hurt falling off the stage at this point.  But I digress.

-QG

 
Anybody recently involved with recent redraft trades with him?

Thinking of offering him to the OBJ owner who would quickly not accept and I’m not sure I’d want to do it.

I think a healthy AJ > OBJ at this point.  But the key is word is healthy. 

 
In fantasy, I’m starting to think he’s pretty much untradeable. He has no value until he’s seen on a field. The only teams that are going to buy are contenders. And the team is 0-6. Unless your league has a late or no trade deadline, you’re ####ed.

 
Tanner9919 said:
Steelers could use him.Pats. Giants. 
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Why the Hell would the Giants need him? They're rebuilding and have Tate/Sheperd/Latimer/Slayton and they just signed Fowler. Pats have Harry/Meyers/Slater and Gunner Olszewski who just got reps, they are in no rush to even work out people since Dorsett will be back soon. Maybe the Steelers would be interested but there has been little chatter on that front.

 
In my eyes, there are 6 teams I could see being interested in Green, not counting the Bengals potentially giving him an extension, as a Larry Fitzgerald type locker room leader for them, and because, let's face it, they aren't exactly a hot free agent destination. 

1. New England- I know, everybody gets talked about to New England, but Green gives them what they need, a consistent threat on the outside with size. Green has played his entire career with Andy Dalton, its possible the upgrade to Tom Brady would thoroughly rejuvenate his career. 

2. Green Bay- A few years ago, this would have been a pipe dream, but the Packers new front office, has been very aggressive in upgrading the roster, and in trades(though that has mostly been draft day deals) Rodgers has probably taken a step back, and can no longer make just anyone a star, so an addition like Green, especially when added to Adams, could give Green Bay its most dangerous WR combo in ages. They also have been somewhat obsessed with getting bigger targets, all 3 2018 rookie WR's are huge, Jimmy Graham, Jace Sternberger, they've been trying to get that physical presence, that is something Green could provide.

3. San Francisco- A surprise contender to many, the 49ers passing game is a little smoke and mirrors behind Kittle. Its possible Samuel and Pettis both become very good players, but they aren't there yet, and both could greatly benefit for Green's presence, both on and off the field. Green would give the 49ers their first true #1 WR in a long time. Worst case scenario, he'd be what Anquan Boldin was to the Harbaugh teams. Best case scenario, he looks rejuvenated leaving Cinci, and joining a Shanahan offense.

4. Buffalo- Another surprise playoff contender, the Bills have a deep threat in Brown, and a slot weapon in Beasley, but don't have that true #1. They also have a recent history of trading with the Bengals. This probably wouldn't be a spot fantasy owners(of Green or Brown) would be excited about, but it would go a long way toward making the Bills a more complete and dangerous offense.

5. Oakland- They have some extra draft picks, and need a true #1 WR. They also have an aggressive coach, who had big plans for Antonio Brown before that fell through, and much like New England, Green brings a lot of the positives on field that Brown does, but is a solid citizen. Raiders have also been better than expected, I bet most don't realize if the playoffs started today, that Oakland would be the #6 seed. They only have 2 losses and those were to KC and Minnesota, 2 likely playoff teams. 

6. Seattle- This one is probably just a pipe dream, but I think Seattle would like to not have to depend on guys like Jaron Brown and David Moore. Will Dissly's injury hurts a lot, and they could use another weapon. They are probably more likely to target somebody a little lower profile(E.Sanders maybe? Sanu?) but pairing Green with Wilson, and having him as a mentor for Metcalf would be pretty exciting. 

I'd say a 1st is probably the price for Green. He's still in the later stages of his prime in my opinion. He likely has 2 big years left in him, but his game should age well, as he wins with size, and know how. I don't see him as a guy who will fall off a cliff like Dez Bryant, more like a guy like Larry Fitzgerald, who may lose his big play ability, but will still find ways to win for years to come. 

I also think he's a guy teams will want to sign to an extension if they trade for him. Maybe not a long one, but say a 3 year deal?

 
ChuckLiddell said:
Are they still on the hook for AB's salary, or for some reason is that still counted against their cap?  If not, then whatever they were going to pay him is there to use for Green.
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Steelers gave a first round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick.  They are not going to give more draft capital to get a WR.

 
brewer said:
Steelers gave a first round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick.  They are not going to give more draft capital to get a WR.
Click to expand...
Pretty sure he was talking about the Patriots, not the Steeler, or Raiders for that matter.

Obviously Green wouldn't get traded to Pittsburgh. Bengals wouldn't trade him in division, an Steelers don't really have a need.

 
A.J. Green (ankle) was sidelined for practice Wednesday.

Green was limited at practice last week but it remains unclear when he'll actually return. Coach Zac Taylor also said he needs to see Green at 100 percent before making a decision on his availability. With no contract extension in hand, it's true guesswork when the stud 31-year-old will decide to take the field. He's still just a stash at this point, with Auden Tate and Alex Erickson playing hefty snaps in the interim.

SOURCE: Ben Baby on Twitter

Oct 16, 2019, 2:35 PM ET

 
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