Unhappy Burress, Shockey Present Challenges at Giants Camp

Tight end Jeremy Shockey, who missed the Super Bowl run with a broken leg and asked for a trade this offseason — he was nearly dealt during the N.F.L. draft — came to the minicamp but stayed indoors, while other injured players watched workouts from the practice field sideline.

The Giants had hoped that their biggest issue headed toward training camp next month was in replacing Strahan, the defensive end who retired Tuesday after 15 seasons. That hope lasted about 24 hours.

The bigger issues, apparently, are Burress and Shockey, two close friends who threaten to put a two-pronged wedge through the lingering feel-good aftermath of the Giants’ Super Bowl victory in February. If nothing else, they served as a blunt reminder that the first game of 2008 is now closer than the last game of 2007.

Asked if Shockey was supposed to be outside with teammates, Coughlin added: “That is between Shockey and I.”

Coughlin’s only communication with Shockey this offseason was through a few text messages, the coach said. Through a team spokesman, Shockey declined to speak with reporters.

“Jeremy has stated his position that any discussions of his relationship with the team is something that he wants to keep between us and the club,” Rosenhaus said. “And I’m going to, obviously, respect and honor that.”

Shockey has long been unhappy with his role in the team’s offense, and now senses that the team feels it might be better off without him. He was broke his fibula and injured his ankle in the 14th game of the season and was placed on injured reserve.

He watched the Super Bowl from a luxury box, but did not attend the victory parade in Manhattan or the rally at Giants Stadium. He did not attend the recent ceremony where team members received Super Bowl rings, either.

(nytimes.com)