THE RED RIFLE'S MAIN TARGET BY MUEED KUMANDAN

The Red Rifle’s Main Target by Mueed Kumandan

You’ve seen his amazing grabs! You’ve heard about his 100+ yd games! But have you experienced his intensity! 

Yes, many have heard about the “Red Rifles Main Target”(A.J. Green) but haven’t followed his progression.

Some remember the fourth game of Green’s college career against Arizona State, in which he had 8 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown. Later, he was awarded SEC Player of the Week. Green finished the 2008 season with 56 catches for 963 yards and 8 touchdowns, passing all Georgia freshman school records. In addition, he led the SEC in receiving yards, with the third highest total in UGA school history. Green finished three seasons at Georgia with 166 receptions for 2,619 yards and 23 touchdowns.

As a wide receiver, it is difficult to transform your college attributes onto the professional level, but A.J. Green has done just that. In 21 games, A.J. Green has encompassed 13 touchdowns with 108 receptions and 1685 yards. In his 2011 season, Green had recorded four 100-yard games and led all rookies in receptions and receiving yards, catching 65 passes for 1,057 yards in 15 games. His 7 touchdown receptions were the second highest rookie total in the league.

On December 18, 2011, A.J. Green and Andy Dalton surpassed the all-time NFL record for yards and receptions by a rookie QB/WR tandem. One week later on December 24, 2011, Green's 1,031 yards surpassed Cris Collinsworth's franchise record of 1,009 yards set in 1981 for most receiving yards by a rookie.

It doesn’t just stop there! In the third game of the 2012 regular season, Green caught 9 passes for a career-high 183 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 11 yards, in a 38-31 win over the Washington Redskins. Green followed this up the next week with his sixth career 100-yard game, catching 6 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars. By the end of week 6, Green recorded three 100 yard games and finished as the NFL's leading receiver with 43 receptions, 628 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 14.8 yards a carry.

Through substantial evidence, it is clear that A.J. Green has put up outstanding numbers during his college and NFL career. This may only be the middle of his second season; but, if he continues to dominate opposing defenses and surpass records, the future will be bright for this young star.