The Giants have traded disgruntled tight end Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints for a second-round and a fifth-round draft pick in 2009.
Always outspoken, Shockey missed last year’s run to the Super Bowl championship with a broken fibula suffered on Dec. 16, in the Giants’ 14th game, against the Redskins. Unheralded rookie Kevin Boss replaced Shockey as the Giants went on their improbable run.
Giants co-owner John Mara said today he came to the conclusion that trading the disgruntled tight end was best for both parties.
“I had a couple of long conversations with Jeremy this spring and summer,” Mara said. “From those conversations, it was apparent to me that a fresh start was the best thing for us and for Jeremy.”
The deal reunites Shockey with Saints coach Sean Payton, who was the Giants’ offensive coordinator in 2002, when Shockey was Rookie of the Year.
“I have had a relationship with coach Payton and I appreciate what he has done as a head coach,” Shockey said in a statement released by the Saints. “The Saints have a lot of weapons starting with Drew Brees and I look forward to joining my teammates at training camp. This will be a fun year.”
Shockey was missing throughout the Giants’ postseason run until he appeared in a luxury box during the Super Bowl against the Patriots, which apparently led to a shouting match between Shockey and Giants GM Jerry Reese during minicamp in June. Shockey reportedly wanted to be on the sidelines during the Super Bowl yet was not allowed.
Reese, who help orchestrate this trade, said today, “Jeremy Shockey was a great competitor and contributor during his years with the Giants. We wish him well in New Orleans.”
Shockey, still recovering from leg and ankle surgeries, did not practice during minicamp, and beforehand accused the team of talking too much about him.
“Unlike the Giants,” he promised, “I’m gonna be quiet.”
When healthy, Shockey reportedly did not like how his role in the Giants’ offense had been changing from pass-catcher to blocker.
Tom Coughlin said, “Jeremy is a very talented football player who always played with great enthusiasm and great effort. He was excited about playing. Jeremy always enjoyed being a physical football player and a tough football player.
“He’s an outstanding football player who plays the game full speed and plays the game the way it was meant to be played. He is a physical blocker who is a gifted athlete with the ball in his hands after receiving the ball down the field. I wish him the best.”
There were draft-day rumors in April that Shockey was going to be dealt to New Orleans, but any possible trade fell through until today, three days before the Giants report for training camp.
Former teammate Michael Strahan, now an analyst with FOX, recently hinted it might be Shockey’s time to get out of New York.
“He doesn’t want to be here, he doesn’t want to play here,” Strahan said. “I think the best thing for them and for Shockey is, if they have the opportunity, let him go.”
This trade should thrill Shockey, reunited with Payton in a passing-friendly offense.
“Jeremy is a player that we are excited to have on our roster. He is someone I am familiar with as a player,” Payton said. “He brings a skill set to the position that I feel will be a tremendous benefit to our offense.”
But it figures to split the loyalties of Giants fans, many of whom religiously wore their No. 80 Shockey jerseys and loved the actions and antics of the long-haired and wild-eyed tight end.
Shockey’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, called last season a difficult one for his client, who was looking for a change of scenery.
“He’s been one of the most successful tight ends in NFL history, but now I think he’s going to be more prolific in the Saints’ offense,” Rosenhaus said. “I don’t think Jeremy could ask for a better situation.”
The deal must be approved by the league and is contingent on Shockey passing a physical.
Shockey, 28 in August, was drafted by the Giants in 2002 with the 14th overall pick and made four Pro Bowls. He had the most receptions (371) of any tight end in Giants history.
In February, the Jets traded linebacker Jonathan Vilma to the Saints for a conditional fourth-round draft pick.