Shonn Greene

Last updated

Shonn Greene
Shonn Greene 2011.jpg
Greene with the Jets in 2011
No. 23
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1985-08-21) August 21, 1985 (age 39)
Sicklerville, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:233 lb (106 kg)
Career information
High school: Winslow Township
(Atco, New Jersey)
College: Iowa (2005–2006, 2008)
NFL draft: 2009  / round: 3 / pick: 65
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:993
Rushing yards:4,110
Rushing touchdowns:24
Receptions:72
Receiving yards:534
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Shonn Greene (born August 21, 1985) is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, earning unanimous All-American honors and winning the Doak Walker Award and the Jim Brown Trophy in 2008. He was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft. After four seasons with the Jets, he then played two more seasons for the Tennessee Titans.

Contents

Early life

Greene was born in the Sicklerville section of Winslow Township, New Jersey. He attended Winslow Township High School in Atco, New Jersey, and played for the Winslow Eagles high school football team as the starting running back and linebacker for the Eagles during his junior and senior years. In his junior year, Greene rushed for 1,267 yards and 18 touchdowns in 221 attempts earning first team all-conference, all-South Jersey, and all-state honors. He followed that with 1,378 yards and 16 touchdowns on 172 attempts as a senior earning first team all-conference and second team all-state. Greene also recorded 191 career tackles and one interception on defense. [1]

College career

Greene attended the University of Iowa, where he played for coach Kirk Ferentz's Iowa Hawkeyes football team. He missed the entire 2007 season when he left the university due to academic deficiencies. He enrolled at Kirkwood Community College, improved his grades, and returned to the university in 2008. [2] Greene had a breakout season in 2008, winning the Doak Walker Award given to the nation's outstanding collegiate running back (the first Iowa player to win the award), and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. He finished the season with 1850 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns; [3] after the Hawkeyes won the 2009 Outback Bowl on January 1, 2009, in Tampa Bay, Florida (in which Greene would run for 129 yards and two touchdowns), Greene announced he would enter the 2009 NFL draft. Greene was the only player that year to rush for over 100 yards in every game. [4] On October 23, 2010, Greene was named honorary captain for Iowa's game against Wisconsin. [5]

Awards and honors

  • 2008 unanimous first-team All-American by SI.com [6] AFCA-Coaches, [7] FWAA-Writers, [8] Walter Camp, [9] CBS Sports, [10] and Rivals.com [11]
  • Only FBS running back to rush for over 100 yards in every game in 2008
  • Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2008
  • 2009 Outback Bowl Most Valuable Player

College statistics

YearTeamGPRushingReceiving
AttYdsAvgTDRecYdsAvgTD
2005 Iowa 11371734.710000
2006 Iowa 10322056.413237.70
2008 Iowa 133071,8506.0208496.10
Career 343762,2285.92211726.50

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+12 in
(1.79 m)
227 lb
(103 kg)
31+34 in
(0.81 m)
8+12 in
(0.22 m)
4.65 s1.68 s2.76 s4.40 s7.10 s37.0 in
(0.94 m)
10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)
19 reps
All values from NFL Combine [12] [13]

New York Jets

2009 season

On April 29, 2009, the New York Jets traded up 12 spots to select Greene in the third round (65th overall) of the 2009 NFL draft. [14] On August 30 Greene made an appearance in the Jets preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. He rushed twice for six yards as well as catching an 85-yard pass before leaving due to an undisclosed rib injury. Greene made his regular season debut after a season-ending injury of Leon Washington during week 7 against the Oakland Raiders. During the game against the Raiders, Greene ran for 144 yards and two touchdowns in a 38–0 victory. On December 27, 2009, Greene carried the ball 16 times for 95 yards in a win against the Indianapolis Colts. On January 9, 2010, Greene ran for 135 yards and a touchdown in a 24-14 playoff win against the Cincinnati Bengals. His best performance of the season came against the San Diego Chargers in the divisional round of the playoffs. Greene carried the ball 23 times and rushed for 128 yards. He scored a 53-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, as the Jets reached their first AFC Championship game since 1998. [15] The Jets would play the AFC championship game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Jets had the lead at halftime 17–13. In the beginning of the 3rd quarter Greene injured his ribs and missed the rest of the game. He would finish the game with 41 rushing yards as the Jets would lose 30–17. [16] Greene finished the 2009 season by playing in 14 games with 108 attempts for 540 yards and 2 touchdowns.

2010 season

In the 2010 offseason, the Jets did not resign running back Thomas Jones and signed instead LaDainian Tomlinson to be their starter and Greene to be the back-up. [17] Shonn Greene got his first rushing touchdown of the 2010 season in a 29–20 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Greene finished the game with 57 yards on 10 attempts. [18] On December 26, 2010, Greene ran for 70 yards on 12 attempts and 1 touchdown in loss to the Chicago Bears 38–34. [19] Greene also rushed for 76 yard on 17 attempts and scored the game-closing touchdown against the Patriots in a playoff game.

2011 season

On June 5, 2011, Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer announced that Greene would be the starting running back in the 2011 season, with LaDainian Tomlinson taking a 3rd down role. [20]

In his first career start, Greene rushed for 26 yards on 10 carries in a win over the Dallas Cowboys. Greene got his first touchdown of the year in a Week 2 matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars while adding 49 yards in 16 carries. In a Week 5 loss to the New England Patriots, Greene had 83 yards in 21 carries while getting a touchdown. Even though Greene could not follow up the same performance the next week, He had 74 yards in 21 carries in a victory over the Miami Dolphins. In a Week 7 victory over the San Diego Chargers, Greene had 112 yards in 20 carries. Greene ended the year with 1,054 yards in 253 carries with 6 touchdowns. Greene also carried the load for the Jets while playing the Redskins by rushing 88 yards and 3 touchdowns. That next week he had 129 yards rushing and 1 touchdown over the Chiefs.

2012 season

Greene running against the Rams in 2012 Shonn Greene.jpg
Greene running against the Rams in 2012

In 2012, against the Indianapolis Colts, Greene ran for a career-high 161 yards, along with three touchdowns, as the Jets defeated the Colts 35–9. [21] On the season, Greene rushed for 1,063 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Tennessee Titans

2013 season

On March 13, 2013, Greene signed a three-year, $10 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. [22] On August 8 of a pre-season game Greene rushed for 32 yards on 5 carries and a 19-yard touchdown run in his Titans debut facing the Washington Redskins. Greene also caught the ball for a 13-yard play. In the season opener against the Steelers, Greene rushed for 18 yards on 4 carries before injuring his knee that sidelined him for 5 weeks. 7 weeks later Greene rushed for 38 yards and a Touchdown on 9 carries winning against the Rams. He also had a 28-yard catch and run. During Week 14 of the NFL season, Greene rushed for 46 yards and two touchdowns on 9 carries, which included a 28-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The Titans would ultimately lose the game to the Broncos by a score of 51–28. Greene finished the 2013 season with 295 yards and 4 touchdowns.

2014 season

In Week 1 of the 2014 NFL season, Greene rushed for 71 yards on 15 carries in a win against the Chiefs. Greene played his former team, the New York Jets, later that year and rushed for 50 yards on 15 carries in a loss. In the final game of the season, against the Indianapolis Colts, Greene had his best game of the season, rushing for a career long of 52 yards on a 4th and 1 play. Greene finished the game with 94 yards on 11 carries.

On June 16, 2015, Greene was released from the Titans. [23]

NFL career statistics

YearTeamGamesRushingReceivingFumbles
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2009 NYJ 1401085405.033T2000.00033
2010 NYJ 1521857664.123T2161207.515032
2011 NYJ 16152531,0544.2316302117.036010
2012 NYJ 16142761,0633.9368191517.930041
2013 TEN 110772953.82946396.528000
2014 TEN 135943924.252211313.013011
Total 85369934,1104.15224725347.4360127

Related Research Articles

Travis Deion Henry is an American former professional football running back who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. He was drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft, and also played for the Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dallas Clark</span> American football player (born 1979)

Dallas Dean Clark is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily for the Indianapolis Colts. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, earning unanimous All-American honors and recognition as the top college tight end in the nation. He was selected by Indianapolis in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft and he was a member of their Super Bowl XLI championship team against the Chicago Bears. He also played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Baltimore Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Faneca</span> American football player (born 1976)

Alan Joseph Faneca is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played college football for Louisiana State University (LSU), and earned consensus All-America honors. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1998 NFL draft, and played professionally for the Steelers, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. A six-time first-team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Faneca won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL, defeating the Seattle Seahawks. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 and on May 10, 2021, he was introduced as the head football coach of Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darren Sproles</span> American football player (born 1983)

Darren Lee Sproles is an American professional football executive and former running back. He is now a personnel consultant for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats, earning first-team All-American honors and becoming the school's all-time leading rusher. Sproles was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He also played for the New Orleans Saints and the Eagles. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Sanders</span> American football player (born 1981)

Demond "Bob" Sanders is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2004 NFL draft. He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and also played for the San Diego Chargers in his final season in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maurice Jones-Drew</span> American football player (born 1985)

Maurice Christopher Jones-Drew, often called "MJD", is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning unanimous All-American honors in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leon Washington</span> American football player and coach (born 1982)

Leon Dewitt Washington Sr. is an American former professional football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) as a running back and return specialist and made 2 Pro Bowls and 2 All-Pro teams during his career. Washington holds many kick return records for both the Jets and Seattle Seahawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Iowa Hawkeyes football team</span> American college football season

The 2008 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa and the Iowa Hawkeyes football program in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Coached by Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkeyes played their seven home games in Kinnick Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackie Battle</span> American football player (born 1983)

Ewart Haron "Jackie" Battle III is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, and Tennessee Titans. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys in 2007. He played college football at the University of Houston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Johnson (running back)</span> American football player (born 1985)

Christopher Duan Johnson is an American former professional football running back. Born in Orlando, Florida, he emerged as a senior for East Carolina University, breaking out for 2,960 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns. Johnson was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft, after running a then-record breaking 4.24 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

Tavian Remond Banks is an American former professional football player who played as a running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, earning third-team All-American honors in 1997. He was selected by the Jaguars in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL draft, where played from 1998 to 2000. He also was a member of the New Orleans Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Brown (running back)</span> American football player (born 1987)

Donald Eugene Brown II is an American former professional football player who was a running back for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Indianapolis Colts. He played college football for the UConn Huskies, becoming the school's all-time leading rusher and earning first-team All-American honors in 2008. He was selected by the Colts in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. Brown was a member of the Colts for five seasons and spent his last two seasons with the San Diego Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 New York Jets season</span> 2009 season of NFL team New York Jets; 50th season in franchise history

The 2009 New York Jets season was the franchise's 40th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 50th season overall, the last season at Giants Stadium and the first under new head coach Rex Ryan. While they matched their 9–7 record from 2008, this time the team headed to the playoffs. In the postseason the Jets defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 24–14 and 17–14 over the San Diego Chargers. But in the AFC Championship Game they lost to the Indianapolis Colts 30–17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Todman</span> American football player (born 1990)

Jordan Todman is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Connecticut Huskies, earning first-team All-American honors in 2010. Todman was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, and Houston Texans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stevan Ridley</span> American football player (born 1989)

Stevan Todd Ridley is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft. Ridley was also a member of the New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers. With the Patriots, he won Super Bowl XLIX over the Seattle Seahawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Indianapolis Colts season</span> 60th season in franchise history; first with Andrew Luck

The 2012 Indianapolis Colts season was the franchise's 60th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 29th in Indianapolis. The Colts earned the first selection in the 2012 NFL draft due to a dismal 2–14 record in 2011 and used their first pick on Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. The season marked the first for both head coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson with the franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Taylor (American football)</span> American football player (born 1999)

Jonathan Taylor is an American professional football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Taylor played high school football at Salem High School, where he set a New Jersey state rushing yards record. He played three seasons of college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, finishing his college career as the sixth all-time rusher in the NCAA and becoming the first player in history to rush for more than 6,000 yards in any three-year span.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nyheim Hines</span> American football player (born 1996)

Nyheim Arthur Hines is an American professional football running back for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at NC State, and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Pollard</span> American football player (born 1997)

Tony Randall Pollard is an American professional football running back for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Memphis, and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Goodson</span> American football (NFL) player (born 2000)

Tyler Goodson is an American professional football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Iowa. He has previously played in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers.

References

  1. "University of Iowa Official Athletic Site". Hawkeye Sports. August 21, 1985. Archived from the original on May 24, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  2. "Greene Tells KCCI He's Leaving For NFL". KCCI Des Moines. January 1, 2009. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  3. "Shonn Greene College Football Profile". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  4. Iowa Running Back Shonn Greene to Enter NFL Draft [ dead link ] SI.com, January 1, 2009
  5. Greene thankful for his UI experience Hawkeye Sports, October 23, 2010
  6. "SI.com's 2008 All-Americans". CNN. December 16, 2008. Archived from the original on August 24, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  7. "Texas Tech's Harrell Headlines 2008 AFCA Coaches' All-America Team". Archived from the original on December 17, 2008.
  8. "FWAA NAMES 2008 ALL-AMERICA TEAM".
  9. "2008 Walter Camp All-American Team Announced". Archived from the original on December 14, 2008.
  10. "CBSSports.com 2008 All-America Team". Archived from the original on December 15, 2008.
  11. "Rivals.com 2008 All-America Teams". Archived from the original on December 11, 2008.
  12. "Shonn Greene Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  13. "2009 Draft Scout Shonn Greene, Iowa NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  14. "2009 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  15. "New York Jets vs. Indianapolis Colts - Box Score". ESPN. December 27, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  16. "Colts make up 11-point deficit to push aside Jets on way to fourth Super Bowl". ESPN.com. ESPN. Archived from the original on January 27, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  17. "Tomlinson agrees to two-year deal with Jets". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 14, 2010. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  18. Matueszwski, Erik (October 12, 2010). "Jets beat Vikings,Farve 29-20 with late Interception, improve to 4-1". bloomberg.com. Bloomberg L.P.
  19. "Bears beat Jets 38-34". Suntimes.com. Chicago sun.
  20. "Schottenheimer: Greene will be main man in Jets' backfield". NFL.com . June 4, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  21. "Shonn Greene scores 3 touchdowns as the New York Jets blow out the Indianapolis Colts". Fox Sports . October 14, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  22. Starkey, J. P. (March 13, 2013). "Titans to sign Greene". SBNation.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  23. Patra, Kevin (June 16, 2015). "Tennessee Titans release Shonn Greene". NFL.com. Retrieved June 16, 2015.