Jeremy Shockey: Staying in NY, and the Giants are better for it
Lots of chatter this offseason about Jeremy Shockey and what many thought to be an inevitable parting of ways with the New York Giants. After sitting out the Giants improbable Super Bowl run, Shockey pouted and failed to appear at the post-SB events including a visit to the White House. There were reports that the Giants were pursuing deals for him prior to and during the April NFL draft, but still nothing came. Then a much ballyhooed altercation between Shockey and GM Jerry Reese appeared to put the final nail in the coffin.
But today Giants beat reporter, Vinny DiTrani, took a moment from his vacation to say that Giants have officially stopped pursuing a trade of the enigmatic TE:
This flies in the face of everything that has happened in recent weeks, including that Shockey-Reese shouting match that was witnessed by several players.
But a source that has been accurate much of the time says the Giants have given up efforts to try to trade the tight end, and that Shockey will stay put.
Like I said that’s hard to believe. But perhaps Reese could not get back in return what he wanted for Shockey. The rumor had been a very complicated multi-team deal was in the works, one which relied on a lot of things falling into place. One of the things that wasn’t, however, was Shockey’s ankle, and his inability to pass a team physical.
At any rate, maybe No. 80 will be in Albany after all.
I know lots of Giants fans don’t want to hear this, but they better rejoice over this news. A Giants team without Jeremy Shockey for a full 16-game season was going to be a Giants team that struggled offensively. In spite of his personality quirks, Shockey has been a MAJOR portion of Eli Manning’s success.
Over the last three seasons, Shockey has accounted for:
- 20.2% of the team’s receptions (188)
- 20.6% of the team’s receiving yards (2,133)
- 23.9% of the team’s receiving TDs (17)
No disrespect to Kevin Boss, but he was not going to replicate that kind of productivity. Now the story isn’t over. Shockey could threaten to hold out and/or come up lame with a lesser injury. But NFL players have a tendency to let their competitive spirit overwhelm them once the games count (see: Chad Johnson) and I’m betting Shockey suits up, and plays well. At his current ADP (TE9, 94th overall pick), Shockey represents great value.
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