Saints game personal for Jeremy Shockey

Jeremy Shockey is still trying to figure out the NFL’s concussion protocol, which allowed Michael Vick to play the week following his concussion last month but has kept other players on the sideline.

But the Panthers’ first-year tight end knows this: He doesn’t plan on missing Sunday’s game against New Orleans, the team that cut him after last season.

Shockey returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday after experiencing post-concussion symptoms following last weekend’s loss in Chicago. He did not participate in contact drills, but indicated he would be on the field against his former team.

“I expect to play this game,” Shockey said. “And I know the Saints expect me to play this game, as well.”

Shockey talked about the importance of the Panthers climbing out of their 1-3 hole against the NFC South-leading Saints (3-1). But Shockey also made it clear this game is big on a personal level.

Shockey, 31, spent three injury-plagued seasons in New Orleans and helped the Saints win a Super Bowl in 2009. But with Shockey coming off a season in which he posted career lows in catches and receiving yards, the Saints cut him in February rather than pay his $4.2million salary.

“I know the personnel. I know everyone from the owners all the way down. Have a lot of respect for everyone in that organization,” Shockey said. “But that’s the first time I’ve ever been cut or released in my life. So I’m not going to sit here and say I’m not going to have a bitter taste in my mouth about being pushed off to the side and say, ‘See you, good luck,’ and everything like that.”

Saints coach Sean Payton, the offensive coordinator in New York when Shockey played for the Giants, credited Shockey with grooming Jimmy Graham, who ultimately took Shockey’s spot. Graham, 24, who attended Charis Prep in Goldsboro, leads NFL tight ends with 367 receiving yards on 24 catches, with three touchdowns.

Told that Payton called him one of his favorite players, Shockey smirked and said: “If I was one of his favorite players, I’d still be there.”

Shockey said Payton offered to fly to his offseason home in Miami to tell him about his release in person.

“I understand. They have a young guy I helped last year to develop,” Shockey said. “I’m not done. I’ve played this game for a long time. As far as being there, I had a great experience and a great time. We won a Super Bowl and a lot of games. It’s a business, I know that. I don’t hold anything personal – that long. But I do hold things personally.”

Shockey, who has a one-year deal worth $3.8million, has caught 11 passes for 178 yards. He has yet to miss any time with injuries, despite breaking his finger in a Week 1 loss at Arizona.

Teammates don’t expect Shockey to miss this week, either.

“He seems fine. He seems like he feels pretty good,” tight end Greg Olsen said. “Shock’s a pretty tough guy, so if he says he’ll play, he’ll be fine.”
Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Shockey felt better Thursday, but added Shockey would have to be cleared by an independent doctor.

“Michael Vick got a concussion and I think he practiced the next week. Now they’re not letting me practice. So I don’t really know,” Shockey said. “I’m just doing, and I know the Panthers are doing, what’s best for me after football. I’m at the tail end of my career here and I’d rather walk away (than) crawl away.”

Besides his physical skills, the Panthers believed Shockey’s exuberant style would be good for a young team. But Rivera said Shockey also leads in less obvious ways, offering encouragement to a young player.

“He’s got that kind of infectious personality that people tend to gravitate to. He leads by example more so than anybody I’ve been around in a long time,” Rivera said.


(charlotteobserver.com)