St. Louis Sports Online

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Mike Huss "The Fuss According to Huss" St. Louis Sports Online lead columnist and host of "Sportstalk" on WGNU AM-920 (8:00-9:00 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays)

Trent Green has got to feel that he just won the lottery. Just ten short months ago, his NFL future seemed uncertain. He was considered the Number 3 quarterback of the Washington Redskins. Today, he is the latest sports multi-millionaire and the latest member of the NFL starting quarterback fraternity. Plus he is playing in his hometown.

Is this a great country or what???

The 28 year old signal caller was truly in the right place at the right time. He compiled nice numbers in fourteen games with a relatively mediocre Redskin team during 1998. His agent, Jim Steiner, knows very well that timing is EVERYTHING in today's era of sports contract negotiations. Steiner also knows how to play and win a game of chicken; forcing the stubborn Rams to sign his client as their STARTING Quarterback.

So on Mardi Gras, the St. Louis Rams held a party/pep rally introducing Green to the media as their newest, best, and favorite quarterback. In one bold swoop, the Rams inserted the Vianney graduate to #1 on the depth charts, and in all likelihood dismissed Tony Banks. Banks was out of country, on a cruise when the team announced the signing.

Hopefully Tony was not on the top deck when he heard the news.

Young Mr. Green said all the right things at his press conference. Flanked with his parents, high school Coach, and Rams coaching personnel, the young QB said that he is thrilled to return to his hometown. He also said that he is looking forward to working with Dick Vermeil. He also stated the he knows there is much to be done to improve the Rams. He concluded his remarks by saying that he is not afraid to work hard.

On Mardi Gras evening, my WGNU talk show lines lit up over the Green acquisition. Comments ran 70/30 in favor of the signing. The football fans in this town are looking for anything positive to embrace these Rams. They really want to love them. They and the local scribes/talking heads are hoping and praying this the signing of Green and offensive lineman Adam Timmermann will signal the beginning of a turnaround for the team. If you believe the rumblings from Rams Park, there are more signings to follow.

Sorry, folks, I'm not going to the parade. I am still very skeptical about this team.

I really hope Trent Green is the answer. You long suffering PSL holders deserve it. However, I have to question the comments by several talking heads that the Rams signed the "Best Quarterback Available" in Trent Green. With free agents Brad Johnson, Jeff George, and Rich Gannon looking for employment, did the Rams overpay for a flash in the pan? Johnson, George, and Gannon have logged more NFL appearances than Green.

Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post made the following comments in his February 17, 1999 column: "Now, let me say as strongly as possible that I would not have paid Trent Green $4 million a year. Not a chance. I wouldn't pay $4 million a year to a guy who would almost certainly be a backup, playing for a team with real championship aspirations. Here's what Green is: a guy who can start and play pretty darn well for a lousy team, or come in and hold the fort if the starter is in and out of the lineup with injuries, as just about always seems to be the case nowadays in the NFL. We've already seen the Redskins overpay a journeyman quarterback. One Pro Bowl season didn't make Gus Frerotte a quarterback to build around, and one good statistical season won't make Trent Green a quarterback to build your franchise around, either."

Secondly, did the Rams overreact to agent Steiner's ultimatum? Isn't it ironic that one of the edicts which came from the postseason Dick Vermeil/John Shaw pow-wow, was to provide more competition for starting QB Banks. Yet, Trent Green is signed as the Number One Guy without any competition from Banks for anyone else.

Time will tell if Trent Green will be the next Steve Young or the next Steve Walsh.

Even with the Trent Green and Adam Timmerman additions, the Rams have a very long way to go to become competitive. For the second straight year, they finished dead last in the NFC West. In 1998, they went 0-8 against divisional foes.

Things don't look much better as Atlanta is the defending NFC Champs, the 49ers are still the 49ers, New Orleans has improved in the past two seasons, and Carolina has a new coach named George Seifert.

There are still questions on both sides of the ball on this team. There is still much concern about Coach Vermeil. Bluntly, do his players respect him?

Yet the growing number of no-shows and the defection of season ticket holders told the Rams management that something tangible was needed. Right, wrong, or indifferent, Dick Vermeil and Tony Banks were the lightning rods of this team. From the fans perspective one or both had to go.

When Vermeil was retained, Banks drew the short straw.

Trent Green: Welcome Home to St. Louis and welcome to the St. Louis Rams.

Your first press conference was a good one. Remember, though, in January, 1997, Dick Vermeil's first press conference was also a good one; and his Rams will try to win their tenth NFL regular season game in his third season.

Trent, for what it's worth, allow me to leave you with one word of advice. One of the dumbest questions posed to your parents at the Mardi Gras Press Conference was "will you be upgrading your PSL's??"

Before they ante up, you may suggest that they contact Tony Banks' parents for advice. After a couple of interceptions or unsuccessful late drives, those upper deck PSL may look more attractive then being conspicuous in the middle of crowd. Believe me, a couple of interceptions will make people forget that you are a home townboy.

Just consider this advice as an occupational hazard for winning the lottery.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The editor of St. Louis Sports Online owns PSLs in the very same section as the Greens...guess ours won't be upgraded after this article.

Thanks Mike!