Bengals sophomore Green on cusp of joining NFL's elite receivers

CINCINNATI -- When we rank NFL receivers right now, it's the Big Three at the top: Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald -- in whatever order you want to place them.

By December, it will be at least the Big Four.

I predict Cincinnati Bengals receiver A.J. Green will make it that way.

"I definitely want to be mentioned with those guys," Green said

As the second-year receiver strives to reach that level, he got a chance to see what it's like to work alongside one of those Big Three this offseason, working out with Calvin Johnson in Atlanta. He saw firsthand the dedication, precision and hard work it takes to be a true great.

"I have a long way to go to get to where he is," Green said here during a break from training camp. "Maybe in a couple of years, I will be close."

Count on it. Green's rookie season was better than any of those put up by the Big Three. Green caught 65 passes for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns last season, even though there was no offseason work because of the lockout.

Andre Johnson had more catches with 66 during his rookie season, but he had 976 yards and four touchdowns. Fitzgerald had 58 catches, 780 yards and eight touchdown catches while Calvin Johnson had 48 catches for 756 yards and four scores.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/19715949/bengals-sophomore-green-on-cusp-of-joining-nfls-elite-receivers