News Flash: David Givens agrees to a 4-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. The deal is worth $24-million and includes an $8-million signing bonus. The 25-year old wide receiver becomes the 4th Patriot to leave the team via free agency, joining Matt Chatham (Jets), Christian Fauria (Redskins) and Andre Davis (Bills).
Teddy’s Take: Imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery, and the Patriots are now all the rage. It may have taken a few years, but the rest of the NFL has finally realized New England’s dynasty is no fluke, and that perhaps hiring their coaches and players is the best way to turn a team around in a hurry.
The Givens defection doesn’t really come as a surprise to people in the know. He’s young, tough, talented and a winner. Players like that command good money on the open market, money the Patriots generally don’t match, especially for the team’s #2 receiver.
That said, Givens does leave behind some pretty big shoes to fill. Right now, the only receivers on the roster are Deion Branch and Bethel Johnson, so expect some free agency and draft moves to re-stock the pass catching positions.
That’s my take…..what’s yours? Should the Pats have made a better effort to sign Givens? Should they have even let him become a free agent in the first place? Now what? Where should Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli turn to address the need and give Tom Brady a full complement of weapons?
I think this is a big loss for the PATS. In the past they have been able to replace these players with other quality people but at some point these defections will catch up to them.