NFC NEWS ‘N’ NOTES

GREEN THE GRADUATE

Green Bay Packers running back AHMAN GREEN has established himself as one of the NFL’s best at his position.

This spring, the two-time All-Star with three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons proved he could excel on a different playing field, earning his college degree from the University of Nebraska.

“A goal of mine since I was a child was to go to college, not only to play football, but to get a degree,” says Green.  “Football was extra, a bonus and a way to get a scholarship.  This degree is something I can use at any time, especially to help shape my kids and my younger family members.”

Green departed Nebraska on the heels of a 1,877-yard, 22-touchdown season in 1997, helping the Cornhuskers to a share of the national championship.  The Seattle Seahawks drafted Green in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft but traded him to Green Bay in 2000, where he emerged as a dominant offensive force.

Despite leaving Nebraska 73 credits shy of a geography degree, Green promised his parents he would earn that coveted sheepskin.

The Omaha, Nebraska native kept his word, completing his required classes via correspondence courses and taking part in commencement ceremonies on campus last Saturday.

"Ahman has been relentless with his follow-through on going back to get his degree,” says EDGAR BENNETT, Green Bay’s director of player development.  “Once everything was in place through the NFL Continuing Education Program, he stayed on top of it.  The importance of getting his degree weighs more with him than the accolades of being a Pro Bowl running back or the substantial contract he received several years ago."

Green has plenty of company among NFL players who have returned to school to earn degrees, including fellow standout running backs EDDIE GEORGE of the Tennessee Titans (Ohio State, 2001) and EMMITT SMITH of the Arizona Cardinals (Florida, 1996).  In all, more than 60 players have earned college degrees in the past four offseasons through the NFL Player Development's Continuing Education Program.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP…EUROPEAN STYLE:  Six former NFL players are receiving first-hand coaching experience this spring in the NFL Europe League as part of the NFL Coaching Internship Program.

The six – REGGIE BROOKS (Berlin Thunder), BARRY FOSTER (Rhein Fire), ERIC GREEN (Frankfurt Galaxy), HUGH GREEN (F.C. Barcelona Dragons), AMP LEE (Amsterdam Admirals) and REGGIE MC ELROY (Scottish Claymores) – are joined in Europe by Amsterdam defensive backs coach MARTIN BAYLESS, who began as an intern in training camp this spring before being offered a full-time position by the Admirals.

A joint effort of the NFL and NFL Players Association, the NFL Coaching Internship Program provides participants with comprehensive training, work experience and an evaluation of their coaching abilities.

“I think my time in NFL Europe has been a great opportunity and very worthwhile,” says Hugh Green, a two-time NFL All-Star linebacker with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  “If I can teach a player 10 new things, and he learns and uses just one, then I have succeeded and he is one step closer to being a complete player.”

Green is evidently getting his point across.  The Dragons have surrendered 76 points this season – fewest in NFL Europe.  Barcelona, tied for first place with Frankfurt and Rhein at 4-2, is also leading the league in red-zone defense, having allowed opponents only five touchdowns in 18 possessions (27.8 percent).

“Coach Green has helped this team be more intense and physical in how we play,” says Dragons linebacker DWAYNE LEVELS.  “He has been in the big games in his career, the close games, and he knows how to make it happen when it counts.  I think some of that is rubbing off on us.”