Saints need TE Shockey back for offense to roll

METAIRIE, La. – For the past month, Jeremy Shockey has waited on the sideline, wanting to make his mark in Saints games but unable to because of a toe injury.

And while he’s itching to get back on the field, which he’ll do Saturday in the Saints’ 3:30 p.m. NFC divisional round game against Arizona, maybe no one wants to see him out there more than Drew Brees and Sean Payton

Indeed, without the volatile and cantankerous tight end in the lineup, Brees and the offense have struggled.

So much, in fact, that the Saints have scored as many points in the past three games combined (44) that they did in four separate games (45, 48, 48, 46) games this season.

“The importance of a tight end with what we do – both in the run game and the pass game – is significant,” said Payton, the Saints' playcaller and head coach. “Whether it’s in the intermediate routes or down the field more, those are both things that factor in to what we do passing the ball.”

Shockey didn’t see the field in any of the final three games of the season. New Orleans (13-3) lost all three.

Shockey played in the first 13 games of the year. The team won all of them.

Coincidence? Maybe.

But the point is, without Shockey in the lineup, the offense wasn’t as effective.

“You get certain coverages and a lot of things depend on what coverages you’re getting in regards to the progression of the quarterback,” Payton said. “He gives you a threat inside. I think any tight end that is able to get up the field and catch the ball like he can gives you that.”

With Shockey standing on the sideline during the Dallas and Tampa Bay losses – Carolina not included because very few starters played – the offense gained an average of 307.3 yards per game. The Cowboys and Bucs combined for five sacks.

In the previous 13 games, the offense averaged 426.1 yards per game and gave up only 15 sacks.

Without Shockey, in other words, the team lost 119.2 yards per game and gave up a fourth of the sacks the team allowed all season.

Simply put, he’s one of the biggest factors for the Saints offense running smoothly in the postseason.

“He’s a key part of our offense,” left tackle Jermon Bushrod said. “Not having a guy like him in on protection and routes and the run game, it hurts. We have been counting on times when he wasn’t in on other people. He’s a vital part of this offense. We’re thankful to have him back.”

Shockey has caught 48 passes for 569 yards and three touchdowns this season, good for third-best on the team.

But it’s on the line where he potentially helps out the most.

In the 24-17 loss to Dallas on Dec. 19, the Cowboys’ defensive ends wreaked havoc in the Saints backfield. Shockey was inactive for that game and couldn’t help out Bushrod or right tackle Jon Stinchcomb.

DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer combined for four sacks that game and New Orleans rushed for only 65 yards on 13 carries.

“He understands the things offensive linemen go through down there in the trenches,” Bushrod said. “He’s a great blocker. He’s a strong physical guy. He understands (us) just as well as we understand his aspects of the game.”

The Saints can only hope that he stays healthy the rest of the way.

They know what happens when he’s not.

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(wwltv.com)