Reese says Shockey is staying

by Ed Valentine on Feb 14, 2008 7:19 AM EST in New York Giants News

It looks like you can expect Jeremy Shockey to be a New York Giant next season. So says Giants' GM Jerry Reese.

Reese told Newsday's Arthur Staple that he fully expects Shockey to be a Giant next season.

There has been plenty of discussion, here and elsewhere, about what the Giants should do with the supremely talented, yet emotional and often inconsistent tight end.

After all, we know that the Giants went on their historic Super Bowl run after Shockey, who was having an enigmatic season, was lost with a broken leg.

It stands to reason, many would argue, that since the Giants played better after he got hurt that they are a better team without Shockey.

Shockey and Eli Manning often seemed to miscommunicate throughout the season, and Shockey seemed frustrated. Yet, Manning called the theory that the Giants are better without Shockey "stupid."

I have thought about this a lot, and I would have to agree. Kevin Boss flashes a great deal of ability, and may one day approach the level Shockey is already on. Make no mistake, though, Shockey commands a different type of respect and attention from opposing defenses. He had 57 catches thru 14 games, in what can be considered a bad year for him. He is also a tremendous blocker.

You have to love the fire he plays with, and the enthusiasm he shows when things are going well. I would like to see him tone down the histrionics when things don't go his way, and perhaps he will now that he knows he is playing for a team that won a Super Bowl with him watching from a suite.

Provided his leg heals in time I also think he needs to spend more off-season time in New Jersey working with Manning. No one can prove that his miscommunications with the quarterback are a result of his working out in Miami during the off-season instead of with his team, but when things don't go well his off-season routine certainly doesn't help his case.

Another reason to keep Shockey is the financial hit the Giants would take should they release him.

According to Newsday, Shockey is due $2.225-million next season, with a $2.4-million reporting bonus. If he were to be released and designated a post-June 1 cut, the Giants would reportedly take a salary cap hit of $3.5 million.

Anyway, it looks safe to keep those Shockey posters and No. 80 jerseys. Unless something extraordinary comes along, it looks like Shockey will be around for a while.

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Comments

Shockey

Shock's contract is pretty reasonable & he has a broken leg, so there really is no reason to trade him right now. The best we can hope for is that this run without him has made him a little more humble and he does things you mentioned like getting to NJ in the off-season. I still love the guy. Nothing gets me more fired up than seeing him catch a pass and then run over a DB with his helmet flying off. Plus he's a great blocker, something Boss is not.

by potroast on Feb 14, 2008 9:17 AM EST reply actions

It takes two

It takes Boss and Matthews to replace the things that Shockey does, and I'm not sure either one fully replaces what Shockey brings. It was a great run without him, but long-term they are better with him.

by Ed Valentine on Feb 14, 2008 11:17 AM EST up reply actions

If someone came

and offered a first-round pick for him, I'd think the Giants would at least have to consider it. But I see absolutely no reason why they should release him. He's still one of the most dynamic TE's in the league, and if he was inspired by the SB run to really work his ass off in the offseason and work with Eli more than he has in the past, maybe we can see a return to the Shockey of 2002-2003.

by cjmulrain on Feb 14, 2008 11:51 AM EST reply actions

He drops too many balls

But he's a quality player. If Eli can't exert enough authority to work with him after winning the Super Bowl (and being named MVP), then that's on Eli, not Shockey.

by drunkUncle on Feb 14, 2008 11:56 AM EST reply actions

Yes but

While I agree with that assesment, that's just not Eli. He's never going to "exert his authority" in a way that shows Shockey up. He's asked him to go to off-season workouts before and that's about as much as I see him doing. I think this will have to be on Shockey's shoulders ... he's supposed to be a leader as well.

by potroast on Feb 14, 2008 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

Right, Pot,

the ball's in his court. Let's hope he grows up and becomes a true team player. A good start would be a willingness to go yo training to work out with his QB. We have pretty good guys in back of him, so when he goes down again (that's his history, lots of little nicks, etc) we'll be in good shape.

by george cronin on Feb 14, 2008 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

My point isn't

That Eli needs to turn into General Patton next season. He just can't get disconcerted/intimidated if Shockey is his same old arms-waving, ball-dropping self.

by drunkUncle on Feb 14, 2008 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

Well

I hope its true, I got two Shockey jerseys hanging in the closet, I would hate to have to retire them

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Feb 14, 2008 12:54 PM EST reply actions

ditto

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Feb 15, 2008 8:44 AM EST up reply actions

As much as it hurts me

there is a possibility of life without Shockey.

Why would we expect Shockey to suddenly grow up after years of childlike behavior?

Don't get me wrong, I am hoping we keep him - if, for anything, that alone keeps other teams from getting him. I don't expect him to show up to work with Manning at training camp this time. I just don't see it, unless he realized how effective the team was in his absence; that should generate some sparks inside of Shockey.

And I don't care how many people it took to 'replace' him, dammit WE WON THE SUPER BOWL -without him.

Hopefully he will prove me wrong regarding his behavior and his attendance. I couldn't wish for more, short of another Super Bowl victory. But if he chooses to go the other route, it would hurt my son's feelings - not mine - if he were sent elsewhere.

We didn't even have a chance for the "perfect season", but we did have the perfect ending.

by GAgiantfan on Feb 14, 2008 1:28 PM EST reply actions

I agree with your sentments, GA,

but if they're going to keep him, we have to hope for the best.

by george cronin on Feb 14, 2008 3:28 PM EST up reply actions

To put this in perspective

Shockey is a bargain for a pro-bowl tight end. Just look at a contract for a guy we know well - Visanthe Shiancoe; he's at $18.2 million over five years including $7 million in guarantees. And he's no Shockey.

There's no reason to cut him. If someone offers you a 1st rounder, then yeah, do the deal. Otherwise, you have two stud TE's and can do some cool things with that formation (shockey on one side, Boss on the other - one stays in the block, one goes out in a pattern). His contract is actually decent.

by CK on Feb 14, 2008 2:00 PM EST reply actions

ck, It's good to look

at the bright side, which I'm going to do (and keep my fingers crossed.) I said up above the ball's in Shockey's court. Well, it's in management's and TC's, too. They've got to straighten this guy out.

by george cronin on Feb 14, 2008 3:33 PM EST reply actions

He'll finish his growth

This last season was a good dose of reality for Shockey. He is a great TE and I can only see him becoming balanced in this next season. From what i hear he is a big influence to Boss. His contributions to the future of this position in the Giants organization makes him worth the stay. Besides if the likes of the another NFC East team got a hole of him, I believe he would make it his life's mission to dismantle the Giants every time they met. I would assume when a team plans to face the Giants he is one of the top five things to prepare for. He, when all is well, makes other teams frustrated ,this allows the likes of Toomer and Buress have more receptions.

by johnd134 on Feb 14, 2008 4:22 PM EST reply actions

I would never

say cutting Shockey or getting rid of him is the right idea. The reality is, though, if he's gone -we have to move on. We were forced to move on in his absence this season, and regardless of HOW we got it done, we got it done. Not to mention, we got it done on the largest stage there is.

If he gets "in line", and if this season, as johnd surmises, was a dose of reality for him - the NFC had best watch out. Maybe this will be a rejuvenating time for him.

It's all on him to get to training camp and work with Manning. If he doesn't do it (and I see nothing that leads me to think he will) it will be the same song and dance over again.

We didn't even have a chance for the "perfect season", but we did have the perfect ending.

by GAgiantfan on Feb 14, 2008 7:06 PM EST reply actions

I know that this puts me in the minority

But I would not be upset to see Shockey gone. I see no reason to cut him, but I also see no reason to go out of the way to make him happy. And if a good offer comes in for him, trading would be fine.

Yes, Shockey has fire and talent, but it is all about Shockey, not about the team. Sorry, he reminds me of T.O.

Maybe you are all right about his growth and maturity, and watching while the team won the SB without him might humble him a little, but until I see some evidence, I will remain skeptical.

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by NYERinSF on Feb 14, 2008 10:30 PM EST reply actions

on the flip side

maybe shockey will come back with a big chip on his shoulder to prove doubters and giants fans wrong.

we all know that when he plays like he cares, he can be an elite TE.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Feb 15, 2008 8:46 AM EST up reply actions

I hope so

and if that happens, I'll rejoice with the rest of you. But until I see some evidence, all this talk of his "new attitude" is just wishful thinking.

As far as Eli's comments go, he was saying the right thing about a team mate.

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by NYERinSF on Feb 15, 2008 2:39 PM EST up reply actions

SF, I woudn't be upset to see him gone, either,

particularly since we could get good value for him (maybe even a first round pick), but it looks like he'll stay. I can live with that, too, but eryainly look for a vastly improved attitude and better hands (which could happen if he works with his QB in training.) All the things that impress so many on this site, the fire in his belly, etc. are counterbalanced by his many drops and his piss poor me first attitude. BTW, I think Boss is a far better blocker than Shockey was in his first year.

by george cronin on Feb 15, 2008 10:04 AM EST reply actions

Value for Shockey

I think you are way overestimating the value the Giants could get for Shockey. Remember, Randy Moss only generated a 4th-round pick. You are talking about a tight end who didn't play real well this year, and currently has a broken leg. Nobody with a brain is giving up more than that 4th-round pick for a guy like that, especially one who really hasn't been a difference-maker for a couple of seasons now.

by Ed Valentine on Feb 15, 2008 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, you're mright

I wouldn't give up a 4th rounder to get him. Then again, Moss's rep was universally in the sewer. On the other hand, the enthusiasm of his fans on this site probably clouded my judgment. Other teams won't put as high a value on him as his Big Blue fans do. I'll just keep on hoping for the best with him, whether he stays or (eventually) goes.

by george cronin on Feb 15, 2008 11:52 AM EST reply actions

Fans, please!

Shockey is going to be a key part of the offense next year. I can't wait to see him mix it up and drawing attention the way Jason Whitten does, freeing up Plaxico or Amani or even Steve Smith. And having Boss back him up is just another "+" area for the G-Men.

It doesn't really matter what "we" think about his attitude. Eli took a lot of crap too but there was no way he was going to be traded or released or whatever, no matter how many fans clamored for that or how loudly. All those Eli-detracters just look stupid now.

Of course it's cool to talk about what we'd like to see in Shockey or any other player, but I'm disappointed to see him getting trashed. He dropped a TD pass in the SF game that shall not be named. That was a tough one. He's made many great plays too, and will make a bunch more for us. At least that's my position until/unless Reese and/or Coughlin decides otherwise.

by Mr Met @ Big Blue View on Feb 15, 2008 12:27 PM EST reply actions

Is it possible

for Shockey to come back, to regain his health and feel as if he not only had something to prove because of the teams success during his absence but maybe want to contribute even more to its success. I doubt he'll be hanging around Miami with a broken leg(at least for training reasons) maybe he will realize after a N.J. off season how important the chemistry of the team can be. He can't possibly come in and try and run the huddle of even the most soft spoken SUPERBOWL MVP. That would be...........comical.
My best guess is he comes in and after a suitable time for rehab ,tears it up. Can you imagine being the defensive cooordinator seeing Boss with Shockey both split wide......how about next to each other.........which hand do you want it with?

by big blue wrecking crew on Feb 15, 2008 3:54 PM EST reply actions

some sick part of me

Wants to see him go to the Eagles. Yeah he'd be a huge thorn in our side, but Philly fans HATE Shockey. I swear before every game, my Philly friends would send me that picture of Shockey prematurely celebrating Feely's Seattle miss. It would be worth it just to see them talk themselves into to not hating a guy they despised, just like they did with TO.

by queler on Feb 17, 2008 3:38 PM EST reply actions