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.

Did you watch the football combine on the NFL network? Have you been checking the sports pages to see who has signed your favorite free agent? Have you been watching the Jets spend like they’re printing money?

It wasn’t so long ago that Eli Manning squirmed away from the Patriots and found David Tyree, who made one of the greatest grabs ever, in perhaps the most exciting Super Bowl we’ve ever seen.

David Tyree’s magical grab – Photo: How/Getty

How about a quick review: The Cowboys then the Packers beat the Giants to start off the season and with the fans and media just about ready to bail on Tom Coughlin and the Jints, Eli & Company pull out the 3rd game at the Redskins. All the while the Patriots were steamrolling the Jets, Chargers and Bills.

On Week 17 the Patriots outlast the Giants in Giants Stadium 38 to 35. But that victory for the Patriots was really a win for the Giants, who despite all the hype and talk about should the starters start, won back the love of their fans and began to believe they could go all the way.

Eli – jubilant & victorious

Well the New England Patriots re-signed LB Tedy Bruschi, C Lonie Paxton, S Ray Ventrone, DL Mike Wright and WRs Jabar Gaffney, Randy Moss, and Kelley Washington. And they signed CBs Jason Webster and Lewis Sanders, and S Tank Williams. Some of the important players they lost: Asante Samuel to Philadelphia, Donte Stallworth and Eugene Wilson.

The New York Giants have been relatively quiet: they signed QB David Carr, LB Danny Clark and S Sammy Knight. And they re-signed RB Derrick Ward. Some of the players they lost: Kawika Mitchell, Reggie Torbor, Gibril Wilson, and William Joseph.

Next step: the 2008 NFL Draft. April 26-27. The buzz is the Giants with the last pick in the first round will go for a linebacker. The Patriots have the 7th pick overall and some think they’ll be shopping the pick.

Who do you think your team will go for?

Are you ready for football?