By Perry Lefko
SPORTSNET.CA
Rookie Canadian receiver Sam Giguere has earned a longer look with the Indianapolis Colts, Sportsnet has learned.
Giguere, a graduate of the University of Sherbrooke, was informed on Saturday by the Colts that he would be placed on the eight-man practice roster.
“I’m really happy how this turned out,” Giguere told Sportsnet. “I can’t wait to get the season started.”
Giguere signed with the Colts as a free agent after the National Football League draft. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats drafted him in the first round, eighth overall, shortly after. Had he not signed with the Colts he would have been chosen first overall.
The pracrice roster salary is $5,200 per week. The NFL minimum salary is $285,000. By comparison, the pracrice roster money for a Canadian Football League player is $500 per week, and a first-round selection in the CFL would likely receive a maximum first-round salary of $55,000-$60,000.
“I’m happy about the money, but I’m just glad I’m playing professional football in the NFL, so right now money is just a plus,” he said..
Giguere caught two passes in the pre-season, both in the final game, for 22 yards, his longest catch 15 yards.
“I was pretty confident coming out of the last game,” he said. “I had a good feeling about how things would work out.
“It’s a dream (come true). It’s always been a dream for me to play pro football, but when I was in (Canadian college), I had my eyes on the CFL, but I didn’t think I could get a spot on an NFL team … just to be here and have a spot on the practice roster is truly amazing.”
Giguere, who is 5-foot-11, 211 pounds, has excellent speed, topping the CFL evaluation camp with a time of 4.49 seconds for the 40-yard dash, leaping ability and toughness.
