TITANS GIVIN’ GIVENS A FIVE-YEAR PACT
Wide receiver David Givens has signed a five-year, $24 million deal with the Tennessee Titans, reports the Boston Globe.
A seventh-round draft pick out of Notre Dame four seasons ago, Givens developed into a solid wideout with the Patriots, winning Super Bowl rings in 2003 and 2004, and setting the franchise’s career mark for postseason receptions. But he wanted to be a #1 receiver, not second fiddle to Deion Branch (and possibly others) in the Patriots’ committee-style passing attack. His deal with the Titans includes an $8 million signing bonus.
“David is young, he’s healthy, he’s productive, and he is as classy as anyone you’d ever want to meet,” Titans G.M. Floyd Reese said. “He’ll be a leader on our team, and to top it all off, he’s got more Super Bowl rings than he’s got fingers for, and that’s very, very important to us. We’re very happy to have him and excited.”
Huh? He’s only got two rings, Floyd. Lay off the booze, man.
Givens will certainly get his wish to be the first option with the Titans, who have been led by Drew Bennett for the past two seasons. In New England, Givens caught 59 passes for 738 yards and 2 TDs a year ago. In Nashville he will be the go-to guy for Steve McNair, who will presumably lead the team for one more season before leaving as a free agent. It will be interesting to see if the Titans draft his successor in the upcoming NFL Draft. Regardless, Givens is pumped up.
“Definitely my numbers in New England were a product of the system,” he said. “I feel that this system here, I will be able to flourish a little more than I did there. I think my role here on this team will be larger than it was in New England, and that’s what I look forward to.”
You know what you can stop looking forward to, Dave? Winning. The Pats don’t pay anyone stupid money, and look at the results. Three titles in five seasons, with a solid nucleus in place to compete for many more. Plus, they have four guaranteed wins a year with the Jets and Bills in the AFC East. Forget about Givens accumulating any more rings with Tennessee… although his fantasy stats will be solid enough to make him a worthy addition to your squad.
