Ahman Green?

[Nightwing]

So I shot it down in the past when others brought it up - thinking, people know what he can and can't do, so he doesn't really need the UFL as a path "back" to the NFL. He played in a backup/third down role succesfully last year, etc.

But I guess I forgot that some NFL guys really just love to play. The rumor is that Ahman Green has said he's interested in playing for the Nighthawks. For the love of the game? For the love of Omaha and to help support it?

He's supposed to be on 1620 at around 3:00 today.

Interesting.

[boggedmaffus_mjs]

For the love of the game? For the love of Omaha and to help support it?

I REALLY hope so. I think people forget that these players are not just professionals; many of them just love playing the game. I mean, why was Scott Player in the league last year? He's got nothing to prove, wasn't playing for an NFL roster spot, can't have earned much money (he's a punter for crying out loud!) But every time he was on the field, he had a smile on his face.

If you can't realistically start in the NFL, what could be better than having one last season in your home town, with a legitimate shot at a championship, to end your career?

[Mr Cynical]

OK, you have struck at a very real division among Nighthawks fans; those who want to see the roster peppered with former Huskers, and those who only want best available.

I'm NOT one of those people who just wants to see a bunch of hometown boys playing to get the husker fans in the stands, if they aren't winning. If a bunch of former homers are world-beaters, great. But I really don't think it improves the football experience if former NU players are on the field and they lose.

If Ahman can compete for the job and get it, great. If not, then one of the younger guys should get a chance. Ahman is pretty old for a RB, and I can't imagine that this move makes any sense from his perspective either.

[Nightwing]

I think actual Nighthawk fans only want Huskers if they're the best players (we'd all love to have Cory Ross). I think we also would like to hope some of them are better than people thought - like it would be great if Joe Ganz came in and lit it up.

But I think only Husker fans (i.e. the ones who are just Husker fans, not football fans) want to see the "Husker Emeritus" team.

Green had some flashes last year, and you have to remember that guy had ridiculous speed - losing a step still keeps him crazy fast. Plus, experience and knowledge goes a long way.

I guarantee he'd be on an NFL roster if he wasn't a 10+ year vet ($).

Nobody's going to start just because of their name. Hell even if he was a situational back, it would be fun to see him out there.

[Nightwing]

Unsportsmanlike Conduct on 1620 confirms his interest via Facebook - but I don't know exactly what he said yet.

[Fez]

I think signing Ahman Green would be a great move. He's certainly lost a step from his prime, but he can still contribute and it would be great publicity.

[Mr Cynical]

..intriguing stuff.
If he signs, I'll cheer as hard as anyone. But I only hope nobody is handed a starting job.

[Nightwing]

You have to admire that he says he'd even try out.

[viperX]

I hope green comes.

[drews0322]

What a week of news for the league, this is great. Big time exposure right here. He'd be an instant fan favorite.

[MGB]

Why not? 'Tis possible Green could be productive (again) in Jag's system. Even though there is the '30 north' stigma, I generally still don't agree with it, it smacks of some fat unathletic dweeb who still is mooching off of mom and dad (even though he's 40) telling a Pro Bowler when to retire on his crappy blog. Sorry, I just don't subscribe to it.

I could see if Las Vegas or Florida wouldn't want to make this move but an expansion team in a second-year league that needs asses in seats you consider it, no second thoughts.

[Mr Cynical]

If he plays like a season, will the Nighthawks retire his jersey? heh

[boggedmaffus_mjs]

Maybe he'll sign a one-day contract...

"I always wanted to retire an Omaha Nighthawk. Even though they've only existed for 6 weeks..." :D

[tmcfootball96@yahoo.com]

I think signing Ahman Green would be a great move. He's certainly lost a step from his prime, but he can still contribute and it would be great publicity.

I agreed!!

[NicktheGreat]

Fans would love to see Green play for Omaha

[linder]

Sounds like Green is close to a done deal.

[Bucfan1234]

I hope so, I would like to see him in the UFL this season. That would be two huge names in the league before mini camp.

[PeteDriedger]

It's official he's a Night Hawk

[Lou]

Announced tonight and Ahman was at the event in Omaha. Great event and Omaha fans are pumped for the season.

Also mentioned at the event; Omaha has the 2nd smallest market in professional football in the USA - first is Green Bay.

[FanboyThunder]

Eh - I'm not sure Green is worth it. His rushing yards stats have steadily declined over the years... Rushing attempts suck... I'm not saying the man wasn't good when he was good, it's just that he's not all that great anymore... But, he's a crowd favorite, and that's all nice and good... I guess that sells tickets and builds hype.

[sidvicious350]

He still showed burst in his short time in Green Bay last year.

I think he'll hold up just fine considering our short schedule and the fact we probably won't ask him to carry the rock 30 times a game. His legs are fresh and I'm guessing he'll still be fairly productive this year, with a couple of big games.

[enderandrew]

Exactly my thinking. Normally I think teams overpay for big name, older running backs who are past their prime when you could get young, fresh legs instead.

It didn't cost the Nighthawks a draft pick. Players are basically paid the same. And it will really help with marketing without hurting the team.

Signing Green was a no brainer.

[Mr Cynical]

Am I the only one who thinks the Ahman Green pickup has less to do with the Omaha market than convincing people in the Lincoln market to drive up I-80 for an hour to attend a game or two?
If so, clever move by the league.

[sidvicious350]

I think it is a factor, but I think Omaha is just trying to put together a good team. The Nighthawks aren't just trying to sell Green to the fans, they had to sell the UFL to Green - and I think a big selling point was coming home.

[FanboyThunder]

Come on now... Cynical is right, Green is more about tickets than talent. I agree it's a no-brainer, I just don't want to see the ol' Husker blinders get put on because he's a household name. Green did it for the cash because he was on the outs for the NFL, so I'm sure the sell to the UFL and a chance for a little more NE glory didn't hurt things... But that said, the next thing you know, we'll have Tommy Fraizer and Scotty Baldwin helping with the scrimmage... I think we can do without the Crimehusker reunion.

[sidvicious350]

Green's a millionaire with a college degree and I doubt Omaha broke the bank bringing him in. Unless the unforeseen occurs, I guarantee Green has a productive year.

[FanboyThunder]

Green may have some cash, but I doubt the dude is a millionaire, but we'll see. I think the UFL doubled his current NFL payout... I hope his stats improve over the past 2 years in the NFL... He's not the greatest catch, but he'll bring the tickets. Hell, he might even improve being the showcase that he's meant to be.

[Nightwing]

You doubt he's a millionaire?!?!

Where do you people come from and do you just make things up? Check out his past contracts, like the $23 million he signed with the Texans for, 30% of it guaranteed.

[sidvicious350]

USA Today does not post NFL salaries anymore, but I assure you Green is a millionaire unless he has retarded with his money.

In 2005 alone he made somewhere between $2 million and $5 million.

I doubt Green even signed a deal with Omaha worth the undrafted rookie minimum. How could they afford to? Does anyone have any insider information how much Green's deal was worth? Prime season tickets were less than $400. Even with merchandise, concessions, and other forms of income........it just wouldn't pay out to sign him to a big deal.

[number2fan]

I would tend to agree with FanboyThunder (damn thats a good name). Why would a "millionaire" want to play for peanuts. He needs to get on the Jonny Rodgers' wealth building strategy and pitch anything and everything. Oh, and peddle autographs to anyone with a pulse.

[enderandrew]

I would tend to agree with FanboyThunder (damn thats a good name). Why would a "millionaire" want to play for peanuts. He needs to get on the Jonny Rodgers' wealth building strategy and pitch anything and everything. Oh, and peddle autographs to anyone with a pulse.

If he wants to play football, and this is his only option, well, there you go.

Or maybe he thinks if he can prove himself here for a year, he can make an NFL roster for the playoffs.

[sidvicious350]

I seriously doubt Green is playing here because he needs approximately $50k ASAP.

The dude probably has a net worth over $10 mil and has a college education. Do you think Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, and Emmitt Smith get playing in the twilight of their career because they needed the money?

[Nightwing]

It's easy to verify. Green does not have financial problems, you're just making things up.