Giguère happy about choice of team
The reluctant hero and new francophone star caught the first pass of Sunday’s scrimmage from Jonathan Crompton — to dead silence, until it was announced the reception had been made by Samuel Giguère. That brought a buzz to the crowd.
And on Wednesday, Frenchlanguage Montreal television stations that don’t frequently cover the Alouettes were queued to talk to the reluctant hero following the training camp workout at Bishop’s University.
Giguère, of course, just wants to play and help his new team win. He comes to Montreal as a player first, but understands obligations and responsibilities go with being one of the few francophones on the team.
Most of all, following three seasons in Hamilton during which he was just another guy — someone who always was going to be overshadowed by Andy Fantuz, the Tiger-Cats’ other non-import receiver — the 29-year-old Sherbrooke native hopes he has found a home where he can contribute and make an impact.
“When you sign with a team you don’t have all the answers. You think that you know. Coaches and GMs tell you how it’s going to be ... how they see you fitting in ... but you never know,” the thoughtful and articulate Giguère said. "There’s always some apprehension when you sign with a new team. And now, 11 days into camp, I can honestly say I’m extremely happy to be here because of the atmosphere and chemistry ... the coaches.
“At the end of the day, nobody’s going to be a millionaire here. You have to be happy.”
Not long into the free-agent process last February, Giguère signed a one-year deal with Montreal. With incentives, he could earn $110,000 this season, and he has been practising with the starting offence throughout camp. He could have remained in Hamilton, the Ticats dangling a three-year deal at him before free agency. And he could have earned more money had he signed with the defending Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders, who remained in the hunt. But Giguère, who makes his home near St-Sauveur, didn’t want to uproot his family.
Signing with the Als also reunites him with assistant coach André Bolduc, an offensive assistant who will work with the receivers, joined by Anthony Calvillo. Bolduc was Giguère’s head coach for two seasons when he played collegiately at Sherbrooke. The player admitted the relationship played a role in his decision.
“Back then, I knew he had something special — size and speed,” Bolduc said. “You don’t often see a big guy like that go that fast. He needed to work his hands, so he caught a lot of balls, daily, all winter. Sam’s in a good situation. He’s a good addition for us.
“I told him what was going on, who was here. I told him we couldn’t put emotion into the decision. He had to decide the best situation for himself. We have depth at Canadian receiver and we drafted two kids,” Bolduc continued. “He wasn’t used much in Hamilton. He might not be used more here, but he’ll never complain.”
Giguère was drafted eighth overall by Hamilton in 2008, only to sign as an undrafted free agent that same year, scouted by Cal Murphy, a former Canadian Football League head coach. Giguère spent that season on the practice roster, fractured his leg the following year and re-aggravated the injury before being activated for the final regular-season game, returning kickoffs. He was on the New York Giants’ PR the following season, then tore his groin the next year, missing the entire season. He was released with an injury settlement, finally coming to the CFL.
In three seasons with the Ticats, Giguère caught 116 passes for 1,543 yards, scoring three touchdowns. He said he never was frustrated. Hamilton did reach the Grey Cup two succes- sive years, but lost both times.
“Football’s a team sport. It’s different than hockey, where the puck goes around. If you skate and work hard the puck will find you. But there’s one ball to go around. There are plays called reads. A lot more variables are involved,” said Giguère, who’s 6 feet and 215 pounds. “Whatever’s asked, I’ll do to the best of my abilities. If I get more targets here, that’s great.”
There are few athletes in better shape than Giguère, best known for his Popeye-like muscular arms that were achieved from bailing hay and chopping wood. He has a home gym in his garage and also likes to make maple syrup. He also participated with the Canadian national bobsled team as a brakeman, and came close to representing Canada in the Olympics.
When Murphy discovered Giguère, he wanted to turn him into a fullback, but Bolduc dissuaded the scout. Then Murphy suggested he lose weight, only to ultimately sign him as is. If his time in the NFL arguably retarded his developmental process, Giguère wouldn’t change a thing, saying it was invaluable to learn from Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne.
“I don’t like thinking about what-ifs. I’m happy with the journey I had through football and my life experiences,” he said. “That injury slowed my progress. Being activated for the final regular-season game was a big accomplishment.
“That’s the way professional careers go. I consider myself very lucky to have spent so much time in the NFL. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”