It's been a hot topic ever since the Giants won the Super Bowl without their high-profile tight end.
The feeling here is that the Giants will not trade Shockey, despite the fact they lost only one game after he suffered a season-ending leg injury against the Redskins. My sense is they still value him as an exceptional receiver and an even better blocker. And even though Kevin Boss emerged as a quality player in Shockey's absence, the Giants are still better off with Shockey in the lineup.
Then again, I suspect there are several folks out there who believe the Giants are better off without him, partly because he's such a high-maintenance guy who occasionally pops off and creates a locker room disturbance.
Our take on it: There's no way the Giants will part with Shockey. Nor should they. He is a money player, and while injuries have taken their toll over the years, he's still worth holding onto. A healthy Shockey AND Boss in the lineup can only make the Giants better in '08,.
Comments (17)
I actually brought this up on Arties blog long before the SB, but here is my take on it.
The Giants are WAY better with Shock in Giants Blue. I did say that the g-men were better this year without him after he got injured, but I think him sitting on the sidelines seeing what it took to win, Eli finding out that he could win without pacifying Shock everytime they walked into the huddle and Boss becoming a dependable TE makes that trio even better heading into the 08 season.
I would not trade Shockey, or even give it a thought.
I have to agree with both of you, having both Shockey and Boss makes the team that much better. And the fire and enthusiasm Shockey brings to the team is priceless.
agreed by all above; Boss didn't play THAT spectular to move in front of Shockey...WE NEED BOTH
I say trade him, mainly because he can't stay healthy at the end of every season. He's still young and getting injured all the time. Imagine what it's going to be like in a few years?
I also read that many pundits felt Manning was playing better in the playoffs because he had stoped zoning in on Shockey. Boss appears to be a much better blocker as well.
Hey Bob,
When you say, 'Our take on it...', to whom are you referring? Is it a clever euphemism to make you appear less ego-involved? Do you have a secret friend? Does your family know about him/her? Do you suffer from the dreaded 'pronoun disability syndrome'? (PDS)
We, er I mean 'I' have been curious about it.
Richie (Original) G
What's his cap hit? If it is reasonable/favorable he is gone. Choices have to be made. Whitten was once in Boss' shoes. This is not the right offense for Shock, and I don't think the Reese Gmen will spend big on replaceable or part time players.
I also, would want to know the cap hit for Shockey? If the team played exceptional at the end of the year without him, he's not indispensable. His selfish attitude has hurt the progress of Eli. I think that's very clear. I believe what Tim Hasslebeck said about the coaches and Shockey persuading Eli to force the ball to Shockey. He is a much better QB without someone having a temper tantrum on the sideline. It's a team sport, not an individual sport. Is Shockey a great talent? Yes, but sometimes addition by subtraction is what is best for the team. (Remember a guy named Tiki?)
I think watching the Giants win without him made Jeremy realize he needs to tone down his behavior on the field towards Eli. He can still stay fiery but in the huddle and on incompplete passes, he needs to just get back to the huddle. He is a very competitive player and has as much passion to win as anyone else. Wait to see how he acts next year and than decide what to do with him. I like Boss too but having two tight ends is a good thing, not a burden.
Cap hit is $3.5 million for a post-June 1 transaction (which would be his outright release, since it's impossible to swing a trade that late). Pre-June 1 hit significantly higher, but have to check to get exact number.
Giants can handle either scenario because they'll be around $10 million under when the league calendar starts March 1. Either way, I just don't see them making a move with Shock.
All this talk has centered on the asset in house (Shockey), I don't see any discussion what-so-ever on what his value is in the open market... what do you think the Giants would have a reasonable expectation of return for trading Shockey?
You need to keep Shockey for the pure joy of watching him toast Roy Williams twice a year. Also, I agree with Mark. Shockey should be less of a distraction in the huddle since Eli can point out he wasn't on the field for XXLII.
B N G:
My hunch is that it would take nothing short of a second-round pick for the Giants to even consider trading Shockey. Even then, I'm not sure they go for it.
Boss proves the Giants don't NEED Shockey at TE. If he can be exchanged for a similar player at a position that the Giants could use, move him. Otherwise keep and utilize, and let him have a chance to prove he's not just great player, but a great TEAM player.
Shockey needs to go. He's the Stephon Marbury of the NFL.
Talent, Tattoos, Attitude, not a team player.
LTmeansLawrenceTynes:
Shockey as Marbury? That's a little strong, don't you think? I'll agree on the tattoos issue, but Shockey is more of a team player than you think. When he gets ticked and says he wants the ball, he does so purely for competitive reasons. The dude wants to win at all costs. That is not the case with Marbury.
I wonder what the consensus would be if everyone thought Shockey was healthy and somewhat humbled by the team's success in his absence.
The only question should be:
Is he good enough to make the team better?
Forget about his persona in the locker room or in the media...forget the tattoos...what he gives you on the field is what matters...and can you question his desire?
The reason they won this year is not because they had fewer "distractions" without Tiki and Shock...it's because they outplayed their opponents at the line of scrimmage...the people they had to replace Tiki and Shock were good enough to do the job.
If he came to the Jets right now, he would be the best tight end they ever had...yes...better than Rich Castor and Mickey Shuler...
I dont think that getting rid of Shockey is even a thought in Reese's mind but then again so much goes on behind closed doors that I wouldnt doubt it crossing their minds from time to time if offered a high enough draft pick. I hope they dont consider it at all. I like Boss but he is NO WAY IN HELL even close to what Shockey brings to the table. The fans love Shockey's fire on the field when he makes big plays but they also have to accept the fact that when you have an emotional player like that you have to take the good with the bad. He may get frustrated when Eli cant get him the ball or doesnt give him the first look but is he as bad as T.O. reaming out Mcnabb or Chad Johnson screaming at Palmer on the sidelines? Not at all. Come to think of it, I recall Shockey being one of the first guys to congratulate someone else in the end zone or giving them props for making a good play. Even if the Giants considered trading Shockey do you think that they would get a high draft pick for someone that is just coming back from a broken leg. I think next Shockey is back with the Gmen next season, puts up great numbers and then asks for more money. If the Giants dont give it to him then seeing him in another teams jersey is a possibility. I really hope it doesnt come to that. I always said that I could see Shockey retiring in a Giants jersey.