Reiss: Catching up with Givens

[Uncle Rico]

Nice update on an old fave from the SB years (Pt 1!), who had bad luck after he left the Pats. I actually work in Beverly and some co-workers brought some of the smoothies back to the office Thursday. Good stuff. And yes, they say Givens is there and very approachable and friendly.

Former New England Patriot David Givens pours his positive energy into new business venture - ESPN Boston

 

[Mike the Brit]

That is great to hear!

DG made a lot of money, of course, but had a very tough end to his career. It's good to hear that he's being positive about getting on with the next bit of his life. (Interesting that he's back in MA -- wasn't wanting to live in Texas one of the reasons he signed with Houston?)

 

[PatsBoy12]

I'm happy for Givens. I always liked him. Few people know that he didn't actually play receiver in college, but he was able to do it well for the Patriots.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

That is great to hear!

DG made a lot of money, of course, but had a very tough end to his career. It's good to hear that he's being positive about getting on with the next bit of his life. (Interesting that he's back in MA -- wasn't wanting to live in Texas one of the reasons he signed with Houston?)

No, his family begged him to sign in Houston to be close to home, and he almost signed with Houston for the same money we were offering for that reason although he claims he was still leaning toward NE based on comfort level and Belichick taking personal interest in the process. Until he saw some kid wearing an Eddie George jersey out his hotel room window just as Tennessee (the team formerly known in his formative years as the Houston Oilers) was offering him a deal his agent had squeezed out of them that trumped both us and Houston in average and signing bonus. Of course in the end while his career might have ended prematurely wherever he signed, the pressure he put on himself to be the #1 WR on a team desperate for offense and in flux at the QB position may have exacerbated his situation. He'll never know, but I bet his fondness for Eddie George has waned in the process...

 

[Mike the Brit]

^^^^

Thanks. (See sig.)

 

[patsinthesnow]

^^^^

Thanks. (See sig.)

Haha, you like Fitzy too? I love his yearly draft day videos, they have so many funny quotes from the fans and himself. He hasn't made a real video in a while, just slideshows and a silent vid of him pissing on a SI of Kobe Bryant.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Not a bad career for a 7th rounder. It's too bad that his career was cut short by injuries, but it's good to see he's doing well.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

Givens was the most under appreciated players in the Patriots history. Go back and watch some of the old games; he was Mr. Reliable on third down. Again and again. Kevin Faulk is currently in the role and has been recognized for his contribution but Givens has not.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Givens was the most under appreciated players in the Patriots history. Go back and watch some of the old games; he was Mr. Reliable on third down. Again and again. Kevin Faulk is currently in the role and has been recognized for his contribution but Givens has not.

I say that Givens was well recognized as Mr 3rd down at the time. He is missed. Fools like me thought a big guy like Aiken could grow into the role last year. I was wrong. Fortunately the 2010 Pats seem to have lots of young talent, Can it translate into regular season reliable 1st downs? We'll see.

 

[Patjew]

I've always loved Givens. He's the one guy that I was really upset to see go but not angry about it, if that makes sense. I'll do my best to support his smoothie biz anytime I'm back home (even though I hate smoothies). He's a guy that can be looked up to for working hard and making something of himself well beyond what anyone thought was possible.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I've always loved Givens. He's the one guy that I was really upset to see go but not angry about it, if that makes sense. I'll do my best to support his smoothie biz anytime I'm back home (even though I hate smoothies). He's a guy that can be looked up to for working hard and making something of himself well beyond what anyone thought was possible.

Yeah, the whole I want to stay but I have to explore thing was a little disingenuous, but isn't it always. He was basically collateral damage courtesy of Deion Branch. The team felt it couldn't extend itself beyond a certain level for him with Branch on that last year of his rookie deal and chomping at the bit for his. It almost worked out anyway since he was taken aback by the rather tepid interest in any team extending itself for him. Houston and NE were in a two horse race seperated by $500K and he was leaning towards returning to the comfort of Brady when Tennessee jumped in and offered to overpay him substantially. If not for fear of screwing up their Branch dealings they'd have likely extended him before his rookie deal ran out. Branch chirping for two straight offseasons killed any chance of that.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Yeah, the whole I want to stay but I have to explore thing was a little disingenuous, but isn't it always. He was basically collateral damage courtesy of Deion Branch. The team felt it couldn't extend itself beyond a certain level for him with Branch on that last year of his rookie deal and chomping at the bit for his. It almost worked out anyway since he was taken aback by the rather tepid interest in any team extending itself for him. Houston and NE were in a two horse race seperated by $500K and he was leaning towards returning to the comfort of Brady when Tennessee jumped in and offered to overpay him substantially. If not for fear of screwing up their Branch dealings they'd have likely extended him before his rookie deal ran out. Branch chirping for two straight offseasons killed any chance of that.

That and more, like leaving the team unexpectedly in a vacuum at WR is why I never want te see the perfidious, traitorous Twing ever again in a Patriots uniform. The greedy little twit cost us the 2006 season SB.

Let him remain dead to me.

Best wishes to Givens and continued post NFL success and happiness.