In a time when players can demand a trade and often get their wish, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green has been adamant that he doesn’t want to be traded despite the team’s struggles.
In this instance, though, it might be in both parties’ best interests for Green to be dealt to another team.
Yes, Green is the team’s lone star player and — when healthy — is a fan attraction purely by himself. People will buy tickets just to watch him play.
However, where the Bengals’ franchise sits at the moment, there is arguably more value in trading Green in return for draft picks than holding on to him.
The Bengals have holes all over field. They need a lot of help. Stockpiling as many high draft picks as possible is the best option to make the team competitive again. Having Green on the roster when there is little around to compliment him does neither Green or the Bengals any good.
Also, with two years left on his contract, how motivated is Green going to be to risk injury playing for a team with no path to immediate success? Green has yet to play this season because of a camp injury. I’m not questioning the legitimacy of his injury, but seeing the way the season has went to date, I’m sure Green is in no hurry to get back on the field.
A fresh start could be a positive for both.
Now, on to this week’s football picks:
Bellefontaine over London
Bellefontaine may be 1-2 in its last three games, but the Chiefs are playing their best football of the season right now.
The Chiefs did a lot of positive things despite losing to Springfield Shawnee and Jonathan Alder before thumping Kenton Ridge last Friday.
London comes to AcuSport Stadium tonight with a powerful squad that has just one blemish — a loss to Shawnee last Friday — on its record. It’s a great opportunity for Bellefontaine to thrill the crowd in its last home game of the season. Bellefontaine 28, London 26
Indian Lake over Graham
After hitting a rough spot, the Lakers came alive in demonstrative fashion last Friday by routing rival Ben Logan.
Indian Lake will make it back-to-back wins tonight against the Falcons. Indian Lake 35, Graham 20
WL-Salem over Northeastern
There is still a major buzz in the West Liberty community following the Tigers’ thrilling comeback win over previously unbeaten West Jefferson last Friday.
Another big game lingers next week against county rival Mechanicsburg. First, though, the Tigers will get a chance to refine their attack in a tune-up against a struggling Northeastern program. WL-Salem 45, Northeastern 6
Northwestern over Ben Logan
The Raiders were dealt a harsh blow against county rival Indian Lake last week, losing 49-13 in a game that was out of reach by halftime.
Ben Logan now faces a Northwestern team hitting its peak. The Warriors have won two out of their last three, with the one loss coming in a narrow 14-12 defeat to a good North Union squad last week. Northwestern 27, Ben Logan 20
Perry over Riverside
First-year head coach Bryce Hodge has done an admirable job with the Pirates this fall. Riverside has won three of its last four games.
However, Riverside faces a big challenge tonight against a hot Perry team. The Commodores have won five straight games, outscoring their opponents 234-63 during that stretch. Perry 30, Riverside 19
West Jefferson over Triad
Triad is in the midst of a brutal stretch of the schedule. The Cardinals are coming off losses to West Liberty-Salem, Mechanicsburg and Fairbanks, squads with a combined record of 20-4.
Another big obstacle stands in the Cardinals’ way tonight in West Jefferson, which will be trying take out some frustration after suffering its first loss of the season to WL-Salem last week. West Jefferson 42, Triad 13
Hardin Northern over Ridgemont
Ridgemont is coming off a 56-0 loss to Perry and faces a Hardin Northern team that has won five of its last six games. Hardin Northern 35, Ridgemont 20
Around the horn…
The Buckeyes escape the Badgers, 24-17 … The Rams run past the Bengals, 31-10 … The Patriots dump the Browns, 34-17.