2007 Chillicothe grad Chris Givens is home for a few more days, then it’s time to lug his lunch box back to work… with the New Orleans Saints.
Following the 2012 NFL Draft last spring, Givens signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent, and now the wide receiver is living a dream. But, once he got on the field, he knew it was time to wake up to his new reality.
“Now you’re here with professionals around you just feels great to be in the same locker room with them but at the same time, learn from those guys. Because they’ve been there for five, six plus years and getting advice from them is great overall. My experience is just getting started. Hopefully it continues for years to come.”
Givens says to be in a pro locker room with the likes of Saints receivers Marcus Colston, Westerville’s Lance Moore, and former Buckeye Malcom Jenkins has made the experience a crazy ride so far.
His first experience before the Optional Training Activities, he said to a fellow player “This guy’s huge!” You gotta realize the guy’s 6-6, 230. I said “Man, he looks like a tight end.” His teammate said “No, that’s Marcus Colston.” Givens said he was “Like wow, this is a dramatic change from college, when you see guys at your position as big as a tight ends in the league. That’s when I pinched myself and said these are the big boys now.
Givens knows, what he’s enjoyed as a game, it’s now all business.
“It’s really no different than going in to an actual job. You’re either the intern or the new guy in, you’ve gotta learn the company’s culture and the system. You gotta pay your dues, and that’s what I’m doing now. I’m working hard from the bottom up.”
Givens adds it’s been a humbling experience, too. In his experience as a Cavalier and in college, he’s been a four year starter. He says it’s like, starting over.
“It’s literally taking one day at a time, one practice at time and just putting your best foot forward and it’s really showing the true character of me, of what I’ve learned in my past and just putting it all together.”
These past five seasons at Miami University, Givens was inadvertently being prepared for the complex offensive scheme used by New Orleans due to the carrousel in the “Cradle of Coaches”.
“It was my fourth new system in five years. Just being able to go in there and adapt to different concepts, schemes, formations… It’s really helped out especially in the passing scheme, and understanding raw concepts. Actually, it’s been a blessing in disguise. “
And soon, he’ll been looking at passes from a different quarterback. Through the summer workouts thus far, Chase McDaniels has led the way, but last week, the Saints finally agreed to terms with All-Pro quarterback Drew Brees. The 2010 Super Bowl MVP signed a 5-year, $100 million deal last week. It’s the highest average annual pay in NFL History. He’ll be in training camp July 24th. While he’s not seen a pass from Brees just yet, the possibility has Givens pretty excited.
“He’s a great athlete. I’m gonna be in practice with him for a period of time and being able to be in the same room with him, watching film with him… it’s gonna be a great thing, it’s just, just wonderful.”
The competition got a bit tougher Monday afternoon as the Saints agreed to terms with 4th round draft pick Nick Toon (Wisconsin).
Givens and the Saints will face the Arizona Cardinals in the 2012 Hall of Fame Game in Canton to begin the NFL Preseason.
CLICK HERE to hear Dan Ramey’s interview with Chris Givens in its entirety.
