Seahwaks Have No interest in Shockey

The Seahawks have no serious interest in trading for New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey, despite a report in the New York Daily News.

While the Seahawks do have a need at tight end and the former Pro Bowler is a talent -- but also a bit of a character -- the club plans to address the tight end position in the NFL draft this weekend.

The Seahawks are not talking to the Giants about a trade, but include the word "serious" in their dismissal of the report because if Shockey was to be available this weekend for a seventh-round daft choice that's when their "interest" might kick in.

Here's the story from the Daily News:

If the Giants decide to trade Jeremy Shockey this week, it won't necessarily be to the Saints.

Whether the Saints or Seahawks up the ante between now and the start of the draft on Saturday will likely determine whether the Giants make the bold move to dump the 27-year-old Shockey, who has been expressing his frustrations with the Giants to his friends this offseason. According to team sources, the Giants aren't actively trying to trade him, but they are listening to offers and have discussed the possibility.
Some in the organization are convinced Shockey will be traded before the first day of the draft is over, although most sources have indicated it could go either way, depending on how high the offers go.

One source also indicated that other teams have expressed an interest in Shockey, although none more than the Seahawks and Saints. The source did not say who those teams were, but one possibility is the Atlanta Falcons, who are looking to replace tight end Alge Crumpler. The Falcons, by the way, have three second-round picks (34th, 37th and 48th).

Shockey has been telling friends he wants to go to the Saints, where he would be reunited with former Giants offensive coordinator Sean Payton - New Orleans' head coach - and play in a more tight end-friendly offense. But Seattle could be an intriguing destination, too. Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren likes to feature the tight end in his offense, but he had little luck in recent years with the troubled and drop-prone Jerramy Stevens, who was on the Bucs in 2007. Holmgren is looking for an upgrade over 36-year-old Marcus Pollard, who reportedly agreed to a contract with the Pats last night.

Meanwhile, back at Giants Stadium, the guy who would replace Shockey on the Giants - second-year pro Kevin Boss - didn't sound thrilled with the idea at all.

"He'll be back," Boss said. "I've got a lot more to learn from him. He's been a great mentor. Obviously he's a better player than me. He can do some things I can't yet."

Boss also said "I think we're all confident (Shockey) wants to come back," but he admitted he has not talked directly to Shockey about that. Giants GM Jerry Reese and quarterback Eli Manning have also expressed their hope and belief that Shockey wants to return, although they didn't know for sure, either.

Shockey hasn't commented publicly on the subject, though he has told many people that he is frustrated with his role in the offense, upset at how it was portrayed that the Giants' Super Bowl run began when he broke his leg in Week 15, and is worried about getting the blame next season if things go wrong for the team. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has told the Giants he is interested in re-doing Shockey's deal, even though he has four years left on a five-year, $26.3 million extension.

Rosenhaus, in a recent TV appearance, did not deny that Shockey is unhappy and wants to be traded. He said only that Shockey's feelings are "something that we've communicated to the Giants and the ball's going to be in their court."

(seattlepi.com)