Guess now we know how Amani Toomer really felt, and feels, about Jeremy Shockey.
Those two former Giants were the main combatants in a silly and spirited Twitter battle — yes, it has come to this — that devolved yesterday into a nasty give-and-take. Toomer called Shockey a “bad teammate, worse person’’ — a comment triggered by a published report Shockey wants to return to the Giants.
Shockey is currently unemployed, an unrestricted free agent who is clearly on the downside of an NFL career that began with a bang in 2002 when the Giants took him in the first round of the draft. There’s not going to be much of a market for a 31-year old tight end with fading production; he’ll sign with whoever is willing to pay him. But it won’t be the Giants, who have no interest.
A source with knowledge of Shockey’s situation said “Nothing going on with the Giants’’ when asked about a possible reunion.
Shockey missed out on playing in Super Bowl XLII because of a broken leg suffered late in the season against the Redskins when Toomer accidently rolled into him. He forced a trade in the summer of 2008 with off-the-wall conduct that eventually led to an angry shouting match with general manager Jerry Reese, within earshot of Giants players. Shockey supposedly screamed “I will never play for you again’’ at Reese, who soon after traded Shockey to the Saints for a pair of draft picks.
Toomer took to Twitter to insist the Giants steer c* ear of Shockey. “Bad teammate, worse person,’’ Toomer wrote.
Not to be outdone, Shockey responded on Twitter: “It’s funny how the NY media still tries to make money off me! Can anyone find a quote from me on me wanting to play for the GAINTS?”
Responding directly to Toomer’s shot at him, Shockey wrote “Well he was the lazy one that broke my leg!!”
Shockey then brought up some unfounded dirt about Toomer’s divorce, tweeting “Remember when his ex divorced him and he urinated on a her clothes I guess he’s the good person”.
Toomer responded to that with this: “Shockey thanks 4 proving my statement about u being a bad person. Lying about my ex. Low blow. Enough said. Have a nice day and good luck as a FA.’’
Michael Strahan, a former teammate of both, joined in the fun, tweeting “What’s going on with you two?’’ Shockey responded with “Amani Toomer has been killing me. I guess he has a book coming out. It’s probably money trouble.’’
Strahan then paid compliments to both his former teammates. To Shockey, Strahan wrote “Shockey u were one of the hardest working guys I ever played with … 100% truth! Weren’t a bad teammate to me.’’ To Toomer, Strahan wrote “Toomer you worked your [butt] off to be great and I respect you both and appreciate playing with both.’’
* The Giants continue to make low-key moves in free agency. Yesterday they signed Chris Horton, a former Redskins’ safety who was out of football last season. Horton, 27, signed a one-year deal and figures to compete for a roster spot, an addition that could unofficially signal what has already been suspected — veteran Deon Grant will not be back.
Kevin Ogletree, a receiver from the Cowboys, came in for a visit but was not signed. Ogletree, 24, is a product of Holy Cross High School in Queens. He spent three seasons with the Cowboys, catching 25 passes for 294 yards and no touchdowns.