Diminutive Greene anchors Tigers' defense

Princeton senior linebacker Tim Greene is only 5'8", but that hasn't kept him from being All-Ivy. It is one of the classic confrontations in sports. The gritty, gargantuan linebacker staring down the quarterback. The look in the eyes that says, "You're mine," and the thought of giving the opposing quarterback a concussion. Matt Rader could tell you what it's all about. He has faced the likes of Zack Walz, the 6'5'' monster linebacker from Dartmouth. Last weekend, it was Isiah Wilson, the 6'2'' senior from Yale. Princeton senior co-captain Tim Greene isn't this typical linebacker -- you can't see his stare over the heads of the defensive line, even if they are in a three-point stance. Unfortunately, you can only hear the footsteps after it is too late. At only 5'8'' and 210 pounds, built more like a running back, Greene has overcome the stereotypes of needing size to fill up the middle. "In our opinion, he is one of the best linebackers in the Ivy League this year," Princeton coach Steve Tosches said. "He runs; that is his forte. He is a strong kid, he's not tall." In his third year starting, Greene has made it clear that his game deserves recognition among the elite in the league. In 1996, Greene was a first-team All-Ivy League selection, and team MVP. "Tim is not the most talkative kid; his leadership is definitely by example," Tosches said. "His leadership is by his work ethic. The team obviously had seen those qualities in him for three years and he is the guy they chose as captain." His emergence has been a secret to no one at Princeton. Greatness was prophesied by those who watched a raw freshman run all over the field on special teams. Greene's touchdown off of a blocked kick at Bucknell in 1994 showed Tosches and his assistants the speed that has made Greene a defensive mainstay until the present. As one of seven returning seniors on Princeton's defense, Greene has been crucial to the Tigers' success. With 107 tackles last year, Greene was tops on the squad. He has set the pace again this year with 65 tackles, 44 of which are solo. Coming to Franklin Field this weekend, Greene's play will be key for the Tigers to stay in the game with the Quakers. Princeton has been unable to put points on the board consistently, but has allowed more than 13 points in only one game, a 31-28 defeat of Colgate. "I think defense has been the mainstay the last couple years," Greene said. "This year we have a lot of returning starters and a lot of guys with experience, a lot of good players." With the emergence of Quakers running back Jim Finn, and the polished play of quarterback Matt Rader, the Tigers' defense will need to be firing on all cylinders. Expect Greene to be in the thick of it all. "We have so many vocal leaders on our defense, for me it is an easy job getting the defense ready," Greene said. "It is a job that does itself. Through seven games to this point, I think every game our defense has played really well. It has been seven pretty good games." After Finn's 187 yards on the ground at the Yale Bowl, Greene and his teammates will be expecting a running game. The Tigers will need to keep the duo of Finn and McGee closer to their opponents average of 107 yards per game than the Quakers' 239 rushing yards last week to have a chance. "[Penn] has done a pretty good job running the ball of late. Finn is a very good runner, a big guy, a powerful guy," Greene said. "I think the key to the game is going to be stopping the run and making them throw the ball?it should be a good challenge for us." It is what they can't see that may hurt the Quakers. Greene's ability to get to the hole, and close it, has been as good as anyone's. With only 2.5 sacks on the year, his remaining nine tackles for a loss have been from simply getting through the line without being picked up. It has cost opposing teams more than two yards a hit behind the line of scrimmage. "I think for me, speed is my best attribute. I look to beat people with speed, instead of power. I will use power if I have to," Greene said. "I really try to key off my reads, study a lot of film so I know what the other team is going to do and beat the other team to the punch." For Penn to effectively run the ball, and control the tempo of their game, Greene will have to be accounted for on every play. Rader's ability to throw the ball will be determined by the success of the running game, and the time he has in the pocket. Greene will be up front all day, whether you see him or not. "Being a smaller linebacker, I think it is an advantage," Greene said. "At times it is harder to find me, sometimes I can slip through the lines." Well on his way to another All-Ivy acknowledgement, this approach has obviously worked. Greene would rather that no one see his 5'8", 210-pound frame until he's in his face. The Quakers hope they can see him, before they hear the footsteps.