Apr/22/08 08:16 AM Filed in:
Jeremy
Shockey
The prevailing theory
regarding the Giants and Jeremy Shockey is the
team learned during its Super Bowl run they no
longer need the Pro Bowl tight end.
Truth is, Shockey made the first move toward a
separation. And he did so before the playoffs even
began.
Shockey told the Giants in December he wanted a changed
role in the offense or a trade to another team,
according to a person familiar with discussions between
Shockey, the Giants' coaching staff and front office.
The person, who requested anonymity because he isn't
authorized to speak on behalf of Shockey or the Giants,
said Shockey threatened to sit out the upcoming season
if neither request was granted.
Shockey, 27, who suffered a broken fibula in a Dec. 16
loss to the Redskins, feels his career is being cut
short by all the blocking he has been asked to do since
Tom Coughlin became coach of the Giants in 2004. While
blocking is an integral part of a tight end's job
description, Shockey believes he was more effective as
a receiver under former coach Jim Fassel and offensive
coordinator Sean Payton, now the coach of the New
Orleans Saints, who are interested in trading for
Shockey.
Giants general manager Jerry Reese, who said on
Thursday that Shockey is the Giants' starting tight end
"right now," had no comment recently when asked about
Shockey's trade demands. Yesterday, Shockey's agent,
Drew Rosenhaus, addressed the trade rumors during an
appearance on ESPN's "NFL Live."
"In terms of Jeremy's feelings as relating to the
Giants, that's something that we've communicated to the
Giants and the ball's going to be in their court,"
Rosenhaus said, later adding: "We've had discussions
with the Giants about Jeremy. I'll leave it at that.
And you hear what Jerry Reese had to say. It's going to
be up to the Giants to decide whether or not they want
to trade Jeremy."
Shockey has complained about his role several times
since Coughlin arrived. Late in the 2004 season he
griped about being turned into "an average player" by
the new coach's offense. This came three months after
he complained about pre-snap motion, which made him
"tired before I get to my final spot."
In addition to neutralizing his receiving ability,
Shockey believes the number of injuries he has suffered
over the past few years can be attributed to all the
blocking he has done. He has battled several ankle
sprains, including one that nearly sidelined him for
the game against the Redskins in which he broke his
leg.
Still, Shockey hasn't said much publicly about his role
the past few years. But behind closed doors he has been
as vocal as ever. According to someone who speaks with
former Giants tight end Visanthe Shiancoe regularly,
Shockey once told Shiancoe to stay with the Giants
because Shockey wanted to leave, which would have left
the starting spot to Shiancoe.
The person, who asked not to be named because the
conversation was private, said the emotional Shockey
then flipped his stance and told Shiancoe he'd be
better off playing for a team that features a receiving
tight end in its offense. Shiancoe signed a five-year,
$18 million deal with the Vikings last offseason.
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