PatsRI

http://www.projo.com/patriots/conten...x.bcac53f.html

"While he's bound to find generous suitors when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 22 days, Givens' agent, Brad Blank, says that staying in New England is his client's first choice.

"New England has been very good for David and he loves it here," said Blank. "He would prefer to stay with the Patriots, and we have every intention of making sure the Patriots have every chance to keep him here."

-------

While I'd like to believe this I think it's the old "of course my client loves (team x) and wants to stay here". Almost every free agent says this to make the market that much higher. Would he stay here? Sure but I don't think he'd turn down a bigger offer to do it. As a seventh rounder he didn't get big bucks (or even medium bucks) the first time around and I couldn't blame the guy for trying to cash in if another team's offer blows the Pats one away.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

DarrylS

I always wonder how a player like Givens feels, he came out in I believe the 6th round, which may have led to obscurity on other teams. However on the Pats they capitalized on his strengths and he has 3 rings from them, I know everyone wants the big payday, but there must be some ambivalence about going to another team. Does he owe anything to the Pats???

__________________
"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

bosfan

Think it is always wise to take a diplomatic course initially - it is not necessary to go directly to the TO stage. There are a lot of factors that should weigh in, but in the end neither the Pats nor David 'owe' each other anything.

__________________
Go Pats-XLII

richpats

I think the Pats have one HUGE advantage over most other teams in signing WR's as far as getting them for a little less than market value and that's TOM BRADY. If I were David Givens and considering NE and say, Miami, who is willing to throw a little bit more $$$, I would ask myself, "Who do I want throwing me the ball the next few years, Tom Brady or Gus Frerotte (or whatever rookie Saban grooms)?"

If we can keep Givens and Branch around a few more years that'll keep us at the top. Resign Andre Davis, give Troy Brown another year and see if we can get some good FA's or draft picks and we'll be alright.

spacecrime

I don't think Givens owes anything to the Pats. Sure he got three rings, but the Pats got three years at rookie minimum and a tendered year.

Givens was draft very late in seventh round. IIRC, the Pats tried desparately to trade the pick. Several teams behind them in draft order picked while the Pats manned the phones. Finally, about 3-4 picks after they were supposed to, they picked Givens.

His rookie year training camp, Coleman outplayed him, but Givens was good on special teams, and played CB against Panthers in preseason. Versativily pays.

His first year he had the droppsies, if you recall. But an off-season with the JUGGS machine took care of that.

He has been very good for very little money.

He has something to prove, also, that he was better than coming a few picks of being Mr. Irrelevant. A big contract will do that.

I'm guessing soemone will pick him up at more money than teh Pats are willing to pay. Branch is FA next year and I doubt they want to set the bar high now. Branch is much better than Givens, and will get much more money. Give top dollar to Givens and you can't afford Branch.

borg

Givens was drafted in 2002 along with Branch and Graham...the year of the pass catchers...All 3 have only won 2 Superbowl rings.

patsfaninpa

Depends on salary cap(how high it goes) as to whether we can
afford both. My guess. Share more local revenues to appease
smaller markets. Cap will go up if that happens because that
is where the pct. the players get comes from. Another thing
about Givens. He went to N.Dame and graduated. I don't think
he's put everything in the football basket. Will be successful
at whatever he does. Damn. Did I just compliment ND?
I hope we(PSU) kill them in Sept.

sarge

It would be huge if we could keep him. He is a solid #2 reciever in the mold of a Heinz Ward (by no means am I insinuating he is as good as Ward, Ward is an elite #1 in my opinion, and arguably the best all around in the league, he seems sort of the same style). If we had to go from Givens to say, Randall El, the dropoff would be huge IMO.

I really hope this deal gets done. I want to see Andre Davis signed again. He was really starting to make plays once he got healthy.

The catch he made with Bailey grabbing him from behind by the facemask was amazing. We all saw how capable he was on special teams as well.

JoeSixPat

I'm sure Givens is sincere, but even if he didn't feel this way, any agent would instruct his client to say exacty that in the interest of creating a bidding war with other teams.

In other words, don't take too much from the statement. Givens will take the best contract. I probably would if I were him too.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

PatsChick87

Well, yes and no! It really depends on the size of the ego IMO. No doubt, Brady is a big part of it but NE also spreads the ball around so much that the receivers don't get the numbers they might get from another team. Example Patton, he left to hopefully become a more impact receiver.

__________________
Enjoying this Championship era!!