Patriots say farewell; Jarvis Green joins Mile High club.

Jarvis Green, one of the three remaining Superbowl-winning Patriots defensive linesman, has followed the money to the sum of $20m for a 4 year deal and heads to Denver to work alongside ex-Pats Jabar Gaffney, Daniel Graham, Russ Hochstein and Lonie Paxton, and coaches Josh McDaniels and Roman Phifer.

Green, a 2002 fourth-round pick (126th overall), was a vital and dynamic piece of the 2003 and 2004 Superbowl winning teams, and a generally very useful part of the Patriots franchise in the Noughties decade. In '03 he started roughly half the season, and picked up 6 tackles and 2.5 sacks in the AFCCC game against the Colts - always highly appreciated, right?

In 2004, he started every game for the whole season, including Super Bowl XXXIX, and picked up 4 sacks to go with his hard-earned Superbowl ring. He re-signed with the Pats in August 2005 (for his final contract, as it turned out) and again filled in for the occasionally injured Richard Seymour in 2005 and 2006. The latter was a breakout year by comparison with his previous performances, netting Green a career-high 7.5 sacks and two passes defensed. He continued this great run of form in 2007, starting six games and racking up 6.5 sacks and a career-high 39 tackles.

However, 2008 wasn't his best season, being slowed down by ankle injuries. He still played in 14 games and netted 2 sacks, but it was obvious he was playing hurt. Similiar, in 2009 Green faced knee injuries, and again struggled to find his top form. He played in 13 games with 12 starts, and finished the season with 36 tackles and one sack, despite missing three games in November due to knee surgery.

 Thanks for the memories, Jarvis, and enjoy your new home.