SUPER BOWL NOT ENOUGH
You know professional football is in the air when the sports pages are writing about potential problems with the great Giant tight end, Jeremy Shockey. This year is no different, although the stakes seemed to have heightened.
Now it’s no longer about whether or not Shockey’s decision to train in Florida will prevent the normal bonding between the receiver and quarterback Eli Manning – now the press is speculating about whether it’s time for the Giants to get rid of Shockey altogether.
Shockey & Manning – Photo: Cataffo/NY Daily News
All this has been escalated with the surprisingly quick development of Kevin Boss, the rookie who stepped in with great poise when Shockey went down last year with a broken leg.
And sadly Shockey, who in some ways shared the “heart and soul” label with Michael Strahan, had to watch the miraculous transformation of the G-Men from mediocre to magical from the sidelines.
But this is just one more example of how differently the press and players think about the game. Not only the New York sportswriters – perhaps the most critical sportswriters in the Western world – but ESPN ran with the story.
One pundit told us that in fact he Giants turned down a proposal to give up Shockey for the New Orleans Saints’ safety Roman Harper and a second-round pick. The story also included the gossipy tidbit that the ex-backup quarterback Tim Hasselbeck had recently revealed that Shockey was a distraction for Eli Manning. Why Hasselbeck – the husband of “The View’s” Elizabeth H. – was telling us this wasn’t really explained?
Shockey scores!
Eli, on the other hand, used every interview opportunity to reiterate how much he looked forward to reconnecting with the bruising and relentless Shockey. Manning clearly contradicted Hasselbeck.
“When I have talked to him I said I am excited about this season and what we can become as a team and our connection. I don’t think we have reached our potential in the tandem that we can become. The thing I am excited about is I see room for improvement in all areas.”
Before his injury, often double-teamed, Shockey pulled down 57 receptions for 3 touchdowns and 619 yards.
When he was asked if Shockey wants to remain a Giant, the quarterback replied, “I hope so. I hope he understands we would like him back. He is a tremendous player and he helps our offense and our team out when he is out there.”
The intensity of Jeremy Shockey
Center Shaun O’Hara added his own perspective: “I don’t see any reason why anybody would think anything different. Jeremy Shockey is a huge part of this team – not only is he a physical factor but he is a part of our emotional team. Whether you like it or not, some of the things he does, he gets guys fired up and I’d much rather play with Jeremy Shockey than against us.”
Giants’ fans have to be excited by the commitment Eli Manning and the team have brought to the offseason. The Giants clearly are not resting on their Super Bowl accomplishments.
As Tom Canavan reports for the AP:
For the past two weeks, players have been working up a sweat during the team’s offseason conditioning program and exchanging stories about the wild two months that followed the Giants’ remarkable 17-14 victory over the New England Patriots in the NFL title game.
‘There are a lot of NFL players that go through their whole career and never experience it,’ center Shaun O’Hara said. ‘I think winning the Super Bowl is something every player and coach should have the opportunity to go through. The reality is they don’t. I think you have to cherish it for what it is, relish the moment as a great memory, but you can’t dwell on it.’”
Manning & O’Hara after failed 4th down
Canavan recounts the story of when Manning and O’Hara met the great Yankee catcher Yogi Berra. Berra congratulated the two on their Super Bowl championship.
“Manning then asked Berra how many World Series he won with the New York Yankees.
‘10,’ Berra said.‘Eli turned to me and said: ‘We have nine more to go,”‘ O’Hara said. “When you think of it in those terms, it’s pretty amazing.”
Manning knows there’s a lot more he can do this year. Paul Schwartz of the NY Post spoke to him:
“I’d like to add 10 more yards to my throw, to my deep ball,” Manning said.
He’s putting more of an emphasis on strengthening his legs, which he figures will add distance to his throws and prevent injuries during the season. Judging from his words and actions, Manning is under no illusion that his impressive string of playoff starts, culminating with his out-dueling of Tom Brady in the Super Bowl, means he has finally arrived as a complete NFL quarterback.
“It’s satisfying, but I still work extremely hard in what I’m doing. I’m not content with where I am in my play,” Manning said. “I played well through the playoff run, but I’d like to do that over 16 regular-season games and into the playoffs rather than wait until the last four.”
Whether or not they can pull it off, these Giants are not satisfied. And if their intentions are matched by results, football fans will get their money’s worth each time the Giants are on the field. I’m betting they’re in the running.
Tags: Eli Manning, Jeremy Shockey, Kevin Boss, New York Giants, NFL football, Shaun O'Hara, Super Bowl champs
