Green Says Deal With Raiders Offers Him ‘a Great Opportunity’

Los Angeles is home for running back Gaston Green, the place he left two years ago, seeking vindication, the place he came back to Wednesday, seeking rejuvenation.

Green was thrilled to join the Raiders on Wednesday, traded by the Denver Broncos for a third-round draft choice. Green, who will receive $975,000 for the 1993 season, signed a one-year extension with the Raiders for $1.05 million.

“I enjoyed it in Colorado but when I heard I was coming home, I can’t think of anything better than that,” he said.

Green was born in Los Angeles, went to Gardena High School, played at UCLA and spent his first three pro seasons with the Rams.

Or rather, he sat on the bench with the Rams. He carried the ball only 129 times.

“You can’t carry the ball on the sidelines,” he said. “I did not get the chance to play. If I would have been out there playing and not doing well, I might have doubted myself. But no matter how great you are, you can’t do nothing if you’re not in the game.”

Green got into the game plenty his first year in Denver, gaining 1,037 yards in 261 carries. But last season, his playing time dropped and he had only 161 carries, gaining 648 yards.

Green will have new competition in Eric Dickerson and Nick Bell.

“I’m not worried about things I have no control over,” he said. “You just have to be ready when you go in there. I do want to play, but you have to know how to handle it when you don’t. I feel this is a great opportunity for me.”