Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green had a sensational rookie season, starting all 15 games he was active and catching 65 passes for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. Green was voted to the AFC Pro Bowl roster, the first rookie receiver to do so since 2003, and debuted at No. 77 on the NFL Network's Top 100 list for 2012.
With veteran receivers Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell moving on in free agency, the 23-year-old Green has quietly become a leader, writes Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
"I just want to be that leader that I know I can," Green said. "I really don't lead by being vocal, I lead by example. I always want to be the first one in a drill and doing everything to the best of my ability. Some of the young guys can actually come along and watch what I do. Work the same, and we work together and build this team."
At 26, projected slot receiver Jordan Shipley is the oldest receiver on a position group that has an average age of 23.7 years and could start 22-year-old third round pick Mohamed Sanu. While Green is willing to lead his position group, he defers leadership of the team to quarterback Andy Dalton.
"Andy's the leader of this team. As I go Andy goes and vice versa," Green said. "We got a veteran offensive line, we got some new guys, but we got Whit (Andrew Whitworth) and Andre (Smith), guys that be here, new running back that really can tote the ball with B-Scott (Bernard Scott) and BenJarvus Green-Ellis. I think we are going to be fine this year, another great year for us."
