“Jet Stream” Green: From Defensive Back to All-Pro Receiver
- Gateway Sports
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Before he became one of the most explosive receivers in franchise history, Roy Green was grinding it out as a defensive back, trying to find his footing in the NFL.
Drafted in the fourth round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1979 as a DB, Green quickly earned the nickname “Jet Stream” for his blazing speed. But speed alone didn’t prepare him for the physical toll of double duty. By 1981, Green was playing meaningful snaps on both sides of the ball — covering receivers one series, then lining up as one the next. The wear and tear was real. So were the mental demands.
In fact, before head coach Jim Hanifan formally asked him to contribute at wide receiver, Green would quietly listen in during receivers meetings. He wanted to understand route concepts and coaching points — not to catch passes, but to defend them better. Ironically, those same insights became the foundation for his offensive breakout.
The 1981 season showcased just how rare Green’s versatility was. In three different games that year, he recorded both a reception and an interception in the same game — a feat that hadn’t been accomplished in the NFL since 1957. It was a throwback to a different era of football, when two-way players still existed, but even then, it was almost unheard of.
By 1982, the experiment was over. Green transitioned to wide receiver full-time — and took off.
The move unlocked his true potential. Over the next several seasons, Green developed into one of the league’s premier deep threats. His precise route-running, elite acceleration, and football IQ turned him into a nightmare matchup. The result? Back-to-back All-Pro honors and a reputation as one of the most dynamic playmakers of the 1980s.
Career Snapshot
Games Played: 190
Receptions: 559
Receiving Yards: 8,965
Yards per Catch: 16.0
Touchdowns: 66
Approximate Value (AV): 88
Green’s career stands as a testament to adaptability and football intelligence. He didn’t just switch positions — he mastered one after studying it from the other side of the ball.
From fourth-round defensive back to All-Pro wide receiver, “Jet Stream” Green remains one of the most unique and underappreciated stars in St. Louis Cardinals history.
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