Jarvis Green Would Like to Play for Saints

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Green wants to retire a Patriot
Posted by Christopher L. Gasper, Globe Staff
July 22, 2009 03:15 PM

In an interview with a paper in his home state of Louisiana, Patriots defensive end Jarvis Green was quoted as saying that this was his last season with the Patriots. However, when reached today, both Green and his agent, Albert Elias, said the comment was misconstrued and taken out of context and that Green hopes to finish his career in New England.

“This is my last year with the Patriots,” Green was quoted as saying in Houma Today. “I’d love to come home and finish off as a Saint.”

A native of Donaldsonville, La. and a former Lousiana State University standout, Green did a football camp, organized by Elias, in his home state of Louisiana last week at Nicholls State University, where the interview took place.

Green, who is slated to make $2.5 million in base salary this season, the final season of his contract, said his comments were misrepresented.

"I don't think I said it like that," said Green. "Me being from Louisiana and playing at LSU and all that you say it would be a dream to play for the Saints. But I'd love to stay a Patriot, if that happens. I've been there seven years, won a lot of games, two Super Bowls, if I could retire as a Patriot that would be a dream.

"It came out in print the wrong way. I didn't say it that way. It's like anybody who lives in Texas talking about playing for Dallas or Houston. I'm a Patriot. I have been for seven years."

The 29-year-old Green is coming off a sub-par (by his standards) 2008 season. Green, who had 7.5 sacks in 2006 and 6.5 sacks in 2006, recorded just two sacks last season in 14 games.

Both sacks came in the regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills.

Green never seemed to find his groove in 2008. His off-season was spent coming back from shoulder surgery. Then for much of the season he was slowed by an ankle injury he suffered in the fifth game of the season against San Diego.

"Every year he has played through pain and never said one word," said Elias. "Other people wouldn't have played with [his injuries]."

With both Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork also due to become free agents after this season, it's possible that Green feels he'll be the odd man out up front.

When asked if he felt wanted by the Patriots, Green said, "Yes, I do."

Elias has a strong relationship with the Patriots. In addition to Green, he represents linebacker Eric Alexander.

He also represents former Patriots cornerback Randall Gay, who signed with the Saints in 2008, only after they offered him a substantially larger contract than the Patriots.

Elias said Green's goal is to end his career as a Patriot.

"We want [him] to remain a New England Patriot," said Elias. "We are ready to listen and ready to do something right now. But we will not be offended if we have to wait. With the collective bargaining agreement in flux and Scott Pioli leaving, they're still trying to figure some things out.

"The bottom line is we want to retire a New England Patriot. He's got another seven or eight years in him. He wants to play as long as [Michael] Strahan played, and he wants to play every year with New England because of his loyalty to Coach [Bill] Belichick."

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“This is my last year with the Patriots,” Green was quoted as saying in Houma Today. “I’d love to come home and finish off as a Saint.”

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"Me being from Louisiana and playing at LSU and all that you say it would be a dream to play for the Saints. But I'd love to stay a Patriot, if that happens. I've been there seven years, won a lot of games, two Super Bowls, if I could retire as a Patriot that would be a dream.

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It's ridiculous that he even has to do that. I don't think anyone begrudges a guy wanting to play for the hometown team. If Grant wanted to play for the Falcons...

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