David Givens

running his way out of the league in Denver averaging 2.1 yards per carry. 

Look back at WR David Givens. He earned a lucrative contract with Tennessee but played just five games before suffering an injury that ultimately ended his career. 

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Both starting receivers left in 2006 as David Givens signed with Tennessee as a free agent and Branch was traded to Seattle. New England thought the combination of Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney could replace the departures. Nowhere close. The offense suffered, and the replacements didn’t make plays Branch and Givens consistently did. 

Continue reading "Stayings or Goings Part 1"

t about long bombs to Randy Moss, it was about small short range passes to everyone on the offense (David Givens, David Patten, Deion Branch, Christian Fauria) and tough short runs by Kevin Faulk and Antowain Smith.  Defense was about big plays when they counted. Ty Law getting four interceptions against Peyton Manning in a snow storm. Troy Brown picking off opposing quarterbacks 3 times despite being an offensive player his entire career. Willie McGinest stopping Edgerrin James on fourth and goal at the one yard line. That was what Patriots football was all about. It was their smash mouth, in-your-face toughness and desire that beat opponents. 

Continue reading "Is the dynasty dead? Not likely."

k, stringing together long drives compromised of short/midrange passes to guys like Kevin Faulk and David Givens, with tough short yardage gains by Antowain Smith. Defense was a matter of bending without breaking. This was a team that beat teams with players like Randall Gay (undrafted), Earthwind Moreland (practice player), and Troy Brown (veteran wide receiver) on defense. They weren't the best players, they weren't the fastest or the strongest, but they played hard and found ways to win (say, for example, by stopping the Colts four times on the goal line with seconds left in the game).

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