Shockey trade eliminates distraction for Giants
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 10:08 AM PDT
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| Bill Kostroun | Associated Press
In this Dec. 16, 2007, file photo, New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey waits during a first quarter time out against the Washington Redskins during NFL football action at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Shockey was traded to the Saints for two draft picks Monday, giving New Orleans a disgruntled star tight end who watched from the sideline while injured as the New York Giants surged to the Super Bowl title. |
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Super Bowl champion New York Giants removed a potential distraction by trading disgruntled tight end Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints days before the start of training camp.
The Giants will get second- and fifth-round draft choices for the oft-injured four-time Pro Bowler who started complaining about his role after the stunning Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, a win accomplished with Shockey sidelined with a broken leg.
New York rejected a similar offer from the Saints before the NFL draft, hoping to get a starting player or a first-round draft pick.
The Giants, however, did an about-face Monday in a move focused on promoting team harmony and getting rid of an unhappy player who has been known to say too much.
‘‘Jeremy brought great energy to the game every time he stepped on the field,’’ Giants chief executive John Mara said.
The trade will reunite Shockey with Sean Payton, who was the Giants’ offensive coordinator during his rookie season in New York in 2002. It was a season during which Shockey caught 74 passes for 894 yards.
‘‘For me, personally, it’s sad,’’ middle linebacker Antonio Pierce said in a radio interview with SIRIUS. ‘‘A good friend, a great teammate. I think for the organization, everybody thinks it is a sad situation.’’
Shockey started complaining about his role shortly after the Giants upset the Patriots 17-14. He had broken his leg in mid-December and missed the final week of the regular season and all four playoff games.
During that time, rookie tight end Kevin Boss stepped in and played well, though he did not block as well as Shockey. The Giants’ average on runs dropped about a yard without Shockey.
It was obvious that Shockey was upset during the team’s minicamp in June. While teammates practiced, Shockey stayed in the locker room.
