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'I just felt it grind and snap'

Rams' Green stays upbeat despite season-ending injury

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Posted: Sunday August 29, 1999 09:22 PM

Green (10) scrambles as San Diego Chargers' Al Fontenot gives chase in preseason action in St. Louis. AP

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Trent Green faced an uncertain future with a smile.

The St. Louis Rams' quarterback, out for the season and facing reconstructive surgery on his left knee after being injured Saturday night, appeared far from depressed as he ambled in on crutches to meet the media Sunday.

"I had to cross a few hurdles on the way here, so by no means am I going to give up," Green said. "I plan on playing a long time."

The injury appeared tougher on coach Dick Vermeil, who briefly broke down.

"You get emotional," Vermeil said. "We will rally around Kurt Warner and will play good football, and some players that are playing good will play better. But that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt."

Green signed a four-year, $16.5 million free agent deal with the Rams in February as the centerpiece of the team's new offense. He was 28-for-32 in preseason and was 11-for-11 for 166 yards when he was injured by a blow to the back of the knee by Chargers safety Rodney Harrison with 1:31 to go in the first half.

"I knew it was gone," Green said. "I just felt it grind and snap. I heard the whole thing. It was a very uncomfortable situation."

On Sunday, he already seemed comfortable that his success was in the past tense. He plans to participate in all team functions -- except for playing -- as Warner inherits the No. 1 job.

"They may get sick of me being around and talking all the time," Green said. "I'll be out on the field. I'll be in the meetings. I'm going to be as supportive as possible."

Green said he talked with Vermeil and offensive coordinator Mike Martz about the best way to contribute to the team.

"Sometimes it's good to be around a lot and sometimes it's better to kind of fade back and let the team develop its own chemistry and let Kurt develop his leadership role," Green said. "But because of my familiarity in the offense, they've asked me to be around as much as possible."

Green said just because he's out doesn't mean the Rams are doomed to another losing season. They're 22-42 since moving to St. Louis in 1995 and haven't had a winning team this decade, but he said he had confidence in Warner, who has one quarter of NFL game experience.

"He's going to do a great job," Green said. "He's had an outstanding offseason and I've spent a lot of time working with him. I'm going to be in his corner 100 percent and help him however I can."

 

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