While the talented wide receiver would like to remain in New England, it's likely he'll get a lot more money on the free-agent market.

01:00 AM EST on Thursday, February 9, 2006

BY TOM E. CURRAN
Journal Sports Writer

David Givens' departure from New England may not be a given after all.

While he's bound to find generous suitors when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 22 days, Givens' agent, Brad Blank, says that staying in New England is his client's first choice.

"New England has been very good for David and he loves it here," said Blank. "He would prefer to stay with the Patriots, and we have every intention of making sure the Patriots have every chance to keep him here."

As of yesterday, the team hadn't made a fresh offer to sign Givens before he becomes an unrestricted free agent on March 3. It's believed that the summer of 2004 was the last time there were significant conversations between the two sides, who were thought to be far apart.

Since then, Givens has added to his résumé. He caught 56 passes for 874 yards and three touchdowns in 2004 then caught 59 passes for 738 yards and two TDs this year. His playoff performances over the last three seasons have elevated his stock even more. In eight career games, he's caught 35 passes for 304 yards and seven touchdowns.

That kind of big-stage production helps a player's reputation tremendously. It also brings "name" appeal. For a team coming off a down season, there's cache in signing a name free agent. It shows commitment to winning.

That's where the water starts to get muddy for a team like the Patriots.

If a team swoops in and makes Givens an offer he can't refuse, paying him No. 1 wide receiver money, there's little question the Patriots will take a pass on matching that. They value Givens' work but they can't get their pay scale out of whack by paying Givens like a No. 1 when Deion Branch comes up for a new contract in 2007 and will warrant a significant pay raise himself.

Over the last few seasons, the Patriots have probably had the most cost-effective passing offense in the league. Givens, a seventh-round pick in 2003, and Branch (second round in 2002) have made about $4.5 million combined since 2002, including signing bonuses. Meanwhile, quarterback Tom Brady is playing for far less than he could have commanded if he ever hit free agency. The Patriots have more than gotten their money's worth.

But the relationship between team and player has been mutually beneficial in each instance. Were it not for New England's program and ability to forecast the potential of a player like Givens, would he be the player he is today? If the Patriots paid top dollar to every player who hinted at being a top-tier performer, would they have the dough to pay the valuable players down their roster that have helped put the Pats on that big stage for the last five seasons?

Meanwhile, an employee like Givens knows it's unlikely that he'll ever have more earning clout on this planet than he does right now at the age of 26. If the gap is wide between what the Patriots and some other team offers, could one blame him for securing his financial future?

For the Patriots, the question on Givens will become one of cost effectiveness. If Givens leaves, can they find an adequate replacement at a reasonable cost? Or would it be wise for them to possibly pay more than they planned, understanding the wideout they know is better than the wideout they don't.

The answer won't be long in coming.

tcurran@projo.com / (401) 277-7340