Player Spotlight: David Givens (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

[SIZE=14pt]2006 Player Spotlight Series[/SIZE]

Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.

[SIZE=14pt]Thread Topic: David Givens, WR, Tennessee Titans[/SIZE]

Player Page Link: David Givens Player Page

Each article will include:

[*]Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member

[*]Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads

[*]FBG Projections

[*]Consensus Member Projections

[SIZE=14pt]The Rules[/SIZE]

In order for this thread to provide sustainable value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

[*]Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player

[*]Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"

[*]To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the player

Projections should include (at a minimum):

[*]For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs

[*]For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs

[*]For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs

[SIZE=14pt]Best of Luck and ENJOY![/SIZE]

 

[bigreese82]

With McNair leaving, I think that Givens goes more into the #2 wr position. Bennett and Volek,the probable 06 starter as of today, has a nice relationship(see 04) and Volek will continue to click with D. Bennett.

Is Givens a burner/deep threat..I don't recall that being his M.O. Bennett and Givens will both see their share of long balls from the gunslinger,Volek

Bennett, because of the familiarity, will continue to see the majority of the looks and Volek is playing for a new job because of Vince in the wings.

Givens will be around 45 rec for 720 yds..a 16.0 avg with 5 tds

not really high on Givens because of the talented TEs in TN getting the redzone looks. I see TN turning into a New England situation, where all the wrs get catches and no clear 2 and 3 guy numbers wise

The TN sophmores, Roby, Williams, and B.Jones(once healthy) will all be in the mix also

 

[Wade]

I'm assuming that Billy Volek will be the starting QB in Tennessee in 2006. He does have a proven connection with WR Drew Bennett, but despite that I see Givens as the number one wide receiver for the Titans (though not by much).

Givens never became the go-to receiver in New England, but -- to be fair -- there really wasn't a go-to receiver in New England. He enters a similar situation in Tennessee, having to share targets with WR Drew Bennett, WR Brandon Jones, WR Courtney Roby, TE Ben Troupe, and TE Erron Kinney...all of whom should be in the mix most every game.

That said, Givens should prove himself to be a sure-handed receiver one can look to inside the red zone, and I predict he will finish 2006 as the number one Titans receiver.

David Givens, WR TEN

70 REC, 875 YDS, 6 TD

 

[slatercove1]

One of the least intriguing "#1" options in the league. Wouldn't touch a TE WR outside of Troupe for the next several years.

 

[Q-Bert]

Givens is an interesting player. Is he going to be the #1 WR in Ten? If so, does that mean anything? I worry that Ten will not be very good this year. If McNair is gone and they have to rely on Volek and/or Young at QB I would not expect much in the way of passing offense. Tennessee really looks like a power rushing team to me. They have a bunch of good TEs, a great change of pace back in C. Brown, and with the LenDale White pick they have their Eddie George replacement. My projections for Givens were made prior to the MdNair saga and the draft so I expect them to be downgraded significantly. Think of them as his ceiling:

65 Receptions

943 Yards

5 TDs

That's not a very high ceiling.

 

[bigreese82]

The number of receptions for Givens will be around 50 tops!!! Chow's offense is suposedly designed to attack mismatches...Is Givens suddenly a mismatch?

 

[Jason Wood]

Historically, it's been a smart bet to avoid free agent WRs in their first year on a new team. But in recent years, as free agency has evolved and the caliber of WRs that change hands has increased, it's no longer smart to ignore free agent WRs as a rule.

In Givens, you have a WR who was productive in New England although never an outright stud. Theoretically he's going to a team that also embraces balance, and already has Drew Bennett embedded in the system and comfortable with the team's QB (whether it's McNair or Volek).

Givens has never finished better than WR37 (using FBG scoring), and he's averaged 13 games played in his four seasons. Do you foresee an improvement in his fantasy standings this year? If so, how high would you be willing to draft him?

 

[bigreese82]

Historically, it's been a smart bet to avoid free agent WRs in their first year on a new team. But in recent years, as free agency has evolved and the caliber of WRs that change hands has increased, it's no longer smart to ignore free agent WRs as a rule.

In Givens, you have a WR who was productive in New England although never an outright stud. Theoretically he's going to a team that also embraces balance, and already has Drew Bennett embedded in the system and comfortable with the team's QB (whether it's McNair or Volek).

Givens has never finished better than WR37 (using FBG scoring), and he's averaged 13 games player in his four seasons. Do you foresee an improvement in his fantasy standings this year? If so, how high would you be willing to draft him?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Givens will be a decent #3wr. I wouldn't bite on him beefore the 7th round..just too much competition for receptions. Now Dynasty wise...he should be better because word is D.Bennett will not be resigned to a large deal. We have 3 sophomore wrs and 1 rookie wr...who all were drafted...not to mention...Tyrone Calico. They invested nice size numbers in Givens so Bennett might be the odd man out in TN in the next year or so

 

[mlball77]

Historically, it's been a smart bet to avoid free agent WRs in their first year on a new team. But in recent years, as free agency has evolved and the caliber of WRs that change hands has increased, it's no longer smart to ignore free agent WRs as a rule.

In Givens, you have a WR who was productive in New England although never an outright stud. Theoretically he's going to a team that also embraces balance, and already has Drew Bennett embedded in the system and comfortable with the team's QB (whether it's McNair or Volek).

Givens has never finished better than WR37 (using FBG scoring), and he's averaged 13 games player in his four seasons. Do you foresee an improvement in his fantasy standings this year? If so, how high would you be willing to draft him?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wrote a small freelance piece that you guys (FBG) used last season, regarding the statistical effect of WR team changes. My study basically showed that typically, established WRs experience a small drop in production in their first year with a new team. That said, from what I've seen in the past 2-3 years, its seems this may be becoming less and less the case. So I agree with your point that avoiding WRs changing teams as a rule, is not sound.As for Givens... I'm not buying. His production in NE was never that special, but Brady does spread the ball around amazingly well. But playing for TEN doesn't improve things for Givens, in my view. I think his numbers are actually likely to drop based on the system in place in TEN and the looming game of QB musical chairs that will/is taking place.

Recs: 50

Rec Yds: 650

TDs: 3

 

[Keys Myaths]

I just don't see the upside.

It's not like Tennessee will suddenly concentrate on one receiver, after everything that happened last year.

Now, with McNair gone (he is actually gone now, correct?), Volek will be given the reigns. If he's going to concentrate on anyone (which didn't seem to be the case in his limited action last year), it'll be Bennett.

Bill Volek, you are no Tom Brady. I expect a decline in stats, myself.

No rushes. 51 receptions, 650 yards, 2 TD.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Anything can happen in the NFL, and usually does. If Drew Bennett goes down and the Texans don't have a defense that can stop anyone, Givens could find himself in a great situation.

I don't want to predict injuries, but certainly Givens has the talent and experience to take advantage of a situation if it did arise. I am one who'd take a flyer on Givens but knowing when I picked him he'd need some racing luck to pull off a solid season.

50 receptions , 660 yards and 4 td's

 

[jurb26]

Givens is a hard guy for me to get excited about. He is not a top talent at WR, goes into a team that has an established WR in Bennett and really a big ? at QB.

Projection

50 rec, 670 yds, 3 TDs

 

[coolnerd]

Part of reason the Titans threw so much to the TEs a lack of talent a WR. Not predicting all-world status for Givens, but he is a solid NFL starter

68/870/5

 

[Workhorse]

I'm going to be the optimist on Givens as a legit #1 WR.

Back in 2004, when Deion Branch was out hurt, Givens was forced to be the top wideout for Tom Brady for an extended period of time:

Over those 7 games, Givens had 32 catches for 510 yards. That projects to over 1,100 for a full season. I think this was the true test of Givens talent. And the Titans will be very happy with their new acquisition.

My prediction: 78 catches, 1020 yards, 8 TDs.

 

[bigreese82]

I'm going to be the optimist on Givens as a legit #1 WR.

Back in 2004, when Deion Branch was out hurt, Givens was forced to be the top wideout for Tom Brady for an extended period of time:

Over those 7 games, Givens had 32 catches for 510 yards. That projects to over 1,100 for a full season.  I think this was the true test of Givens talent.  And the Titans will be very happy with their new acquisition.

My prediction:   78 catches, 1020 yards, 8 TDs.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

78 receptions 8 tds

not in the Titans offense with Brown, Henry and Lendale getting 25-30 carries a game and Drew Bennett dating Volek . At this point...The Titans biggest mismatches are their TEs going against LBs

 

[WhoDat]

Givens, Bennett, Roby, Jones (rehab), R. Williams, Troupe, Kinney, Scaife, recently drafted players...

Very random list but, given the cost of Givens coupled with his potential return versus the cost of Roby and or Jones (assuming he is healthy), I would rather wait and take one of the second year guys much later in the draft.

In a redraft your team would be set and, if you are attempting to mine a diamond, why not take someone a little later with as much, if not more, upside?

Givens will be in the 40-50 catch; 450-550 yard; 3 TD range. I feel that either Roby or Jones at 100% can match that production and either come at a much cheaper price.

If memory serves, the Volek to Bennett connection was predicated on the Titans playing with practice squad players in the defensive backfield the end of that year (lots of catch-up and garbage time); a Monday night peformance that was damn near record setting (Bennett to Volek looked better than Montana to Rice that lone game) and nothing even remotely close to a running game. Oh, D. Mason was still on the team, which saw Bennett against the lesser corner minus rolled coverage.

That will not be the case this year as I expect Fisher to run early and often to take pressure off of his defense and quarterback. He has 3 RB. He currently has a defense full of healthy players. Bennett looked ordinary last season minus Mason with the presence of 2 solid seam players in Troupe and Kinney. Volek looked ordinary in his appearances. Givens is not that much of an offensive threat to change this situation. It is not as if the Titans added T. Owens. Givens was a great complimentary player with the Partiots but I do not see him outperforming his career stats as a Titan.

It will become more compounded when...only a matter of time...Young gets under center. As was suggested, the Titans will run; run; run; run a little more; dump to a TE; run; run and kick a FG.

If this were a dynasty discussion, my tune changes drastically. Redraft, though, I watch camp; wait and take Roby or Jones. I am more comfortable with the price and bang for my buck versus Givens. Troupe earlier on is not a bad play either.

 

[waylander]

I think Givens and Bennett will have similar years as far as production goes, with surprisingly Givens doing better. I know everyone is expecting some love affair to happen between Bennett and Volek, but I think Givens is going to be more of an offensive focus while game planning.

David Givens -74/1040/8