BenJarvus Green-Ellis

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Lore & Background

The nickname "the Law Firm" was bestowed upon Green-Ellis by his teammates due to his segmented name. The moniker gained national attention during the November 2, 2008, Sunday Night Football broadcast when Al Michaels and John Madden noted that his Patriots teammates had adopted the nickname on account of his multi-part name. This branding coincided with a period of immense reliability; Green-Ellis established an impressive streak of 589 touches without a fumble while in New England. His presence on the field was so consistent that he became a staple of the offense, particularly after Laurence Maroney was placed on injured reserve in October 2008, allowing Green-Ellis to secure his first NFL start against the Denver Broncos.

In Their Own Story

Green-Ellis's ascent from an undrafted free agent waivered on August 30, 2008, to a key starter happened with startling speed. Promoted to the active roster on October 11, he made his debut the following day against the San Diego Chargers for nine yards. By October 20, he started against the Denver Broncos in a 41–7 victory, scoring his first touchdown on a 1-yard run. His breakthrough moment arrived in Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills, where he recorded his first 100-yard game with 105 rushing yards and scored for the fourth consecutive game. That score capped a 92-yard drive of 19 plays, tying a franchise record. The defining season came in 2010; following injuries to Fred Taylor and Kevin Faulk, Green-Ellis exploded for four touchdowns against Minnesota and the Jets in late November. He clinched his status as a starter by eclipsing the 1,000-yard plateau in Week 17, finishing with 1,008 yards on 229 carries and 13 rushing touchdowns.

Reader's Guide

Fans of BenJarvus Green-Ellis should look to his 2010 season as the prime example of his value. He started strong in Week 3 against Buffalo with 98 yards, followed by a 76-yard performance in Miami, and a two-touchdown showing against Minnesota. His reliability was unmatched; he scored touchdowns in every game he started during his rookie campaign through November 2008. In the 2011 season, he split time with Danny Woodhead but still contributed significantly, rushing for 136 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets in Week 5. His career in New England culminated in Super Bowl XLVI, where he started and recorded ten carries for 44 yards and two receptions for 15 yards, though the Patriots fell to the Giants 21–17. Throughout his time with the team, he never fumbled, a feat that ended only after he signed with Cincinnati on March 21, 2012.

Did You Know?

• Green-Ellis was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2008, after being waived and re-signed to the practice squad later that August.
• He is only the second running back in Ole Miss history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons (2006 and 2007).
• His first NFL touchdown came on a 1-yard run against the Denver Broncos on October 20, 2008, entering the end zone untouched.
• Green-Ellis recorded his first career fumble on September 23, 2012, ending a streak of 589 touches without a turnover with the Patriots.