Bucs WR says goodbye

Jacquez Green leaves for Washington, saying he wasn't being used well by the Bucs.

By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 19, 2002

TAMPA -- Former Bucs second-round pick Jacquez Green began preparation Monday to rejoin his former college coach after signing a three-year, $4.3-million contract with the Redskins.

But as eager as he is to be reunited Steve Spurrier, who left the University of Florida to join the Redskins on Jan. 14, Green wanted to talk about his performance with the Bucs.

"Most people in the NFL feel if a guy can't play they are no good, don't belong in the league," Green said. "But so much of it is the system you're in and how you're used. I wasn't being used well. Last year, everything was designed for Keyshawn (Johnson). Don't get me wrong, Keyshawn is a great player, but you have to get everyone else into the game.

"I became bitter about it. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a bitter person, but I did become bitter at the end."

Green, an unrestricted free agent who said he received a contract offer from the Bucs late last week, said returning to Tampa Bay would not have been prudent or financially smart.

"I did receive a contract offer from the Bucs but it wasn't a good one," Green said, "not compared to the one from the Redskins."

But after four seasons with the Bucs, the best coming in 1999 when he had 56 catches for 791 yards, Green said the decision to move was based on his faith that Spurrier would rekindle his brilliant days in Gainesville.

"It's a happy day because I know I am going to place where I can play, where the coach can use my talents," said Green, who must be in Washington for the start of a minicamp March 28. "In coach Spurrier's offensive system, everyone gets a chance to get the ball. He will use a lot of three and four wide receiver sets. He will use a lot of movement at the line and throw the ball deep a lot more. You can't expect a defense to respect you if you're never trying to go deep."

The Redskins will play at Raymond James Stadium in the third week of the preseason.

"It doesn't count, but I'm looking forward to it," Green said.