Keith Rivers is having a great experience in the New York Giants’ camp – NFL News
After joining the New York Giants, linebacker Keith Rivers is feeling happy and as fit as he can get.
The Giants are the defending Super Bowl champions and a serious contender to win the title again.
Rivers was present in Terrell Thomas' youth football camp on Saturday, June 23, 2012. Talking about his time at Giants, he said:
"It's exciting being with a team that is contending every year. It's been a great experience they got some great guys in the locker room. It's been a great experience thus far."
Rivers is going to get a tough competition for the starting position as the Giants have a strong backup.
Rivers, who has an injury-plagued career up till now, will have to stay fit to have any chance of staying at Giants.
Rivers was drafted at ninth spot by Cincinnati Bengals in first round of the 2008 National Football League (NFL) Draft.
While playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers during his rookie season, Rivers received a serious injury to his jaw due to a blindsided block by wide receiver Hines Ward. He missed the entire season after that injury.
It was due to this injury that Hines Ward Rule was enacted in which blindside blocks to neck or head with shoulder, forearm or helmet were banned.
In his rookie season, Rivers played seven games, getting a mere 24 tackles with no sack. The 2009 season was similar to the 2008, in which Rivers performed miserably, completing 46 tackles with only one sack.
Rivers had an average 2010 season while missing the entire 2011 season due to a wrist injury. In April, he was traded to Giants by Bengals for exchange of a fifth-round draft pick.
It can be seen as a bargain for Giants to get a player of immense talent through such a deal. It is rather Rivers’ job to prove this point by playing like he did in his college years.
Rivers has a one-year contract with Giants which will be extended if he performs well. The player was supposed to earn $2.16 million in base salary in 2012 with Bengals, but the Giants have reduced the payout to $1.25 million.
As long as he is healthy, Rivers is ready to serve Giants at any position. He said:
"Hopefully I can come in there and contribute and do whatever they need me to do, whatever position at linebacker they need me to be,"
Rivers has everything to play for. He is working hard in the training camp to be fit and play the whole season. His versatility can be very useful at various positions in the defence provided he stays fit.
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