pft: HASSELBECK SAYS GIANTS DON'T NEED SHOCKEY

[twenty-eight]

POSTED 8:55 p.m. EST, January 31, 2008



HASSELBECK SAYS GIANTS DON'T NEED SHOCKEY



Former Giants quarterback Timm Hasselbeck has commented on the absence of tight end Jeremy Shockey from the team.



"People there are relieved he's not around. There's this big stink about he's on injured reserve," he said. "How come he's not on the sideline supporting his team? Let me tell you something, they don't want him there. (http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7009894994)


"They're going to say all the right things, 'Oh yeah, we'd love to have him around' and all that stuff because he's their teammate, he's under contract next year and you can't do that," he said. "But when they're talking to people and it's not necessarily being reported they don't want him around. He's a distraction.



"Eli [Manning] is playing better without him because he doesn't feel like he has to force the ball to him," said Hasselbeck. "I was in the offensive meetings where they said 'Listen, we need to get the ball to Jeremy early to keep him involved so he doesn't start going crazy.' Any time you have to start forcing the football (http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm#) to somebody to keep them happy it's not good and bad things happen."

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

[Fan since a Fetus]

I really believe that he can be a distraction. I know he is a great player, but he needs to be a little more reserved and do whatever it takes to help the team win. I like him, I just think he needs to be less selfish.

[Genghis Khan]

I noticed a few games ago and thats the only reason I don't like shockey cause he is a very good player but he whines way too much.

[burgold1210]

probably the number one reason he is not supporting his team is the PLAYERS ON INJURED RESERVES DO NOT TRAVEL IN THE GIANTS ORGANIZATION!!! and honestly, how many home games have they had since shockey was injured? oh yeah, only one. i think everyone just likes to bash shockey without knowing the facts.

[KiwiSupaFlyNuka]

probably the number one reason he is not supporting his team is the PLAYERS ON INJURED RESERVES DO NOT TRAVEL IN THE GIANTS ORGANIZATION!!! and honestly, how many home games have they had since shockey was injured? oh yeah, only one. i think everyone just likes to bash shockey without knowing the facts.


DING!
DING!
DING!
DING!
DING!
DING!
DING!

Give the man his prize! :applause:

[RonBurgundy&Gold]

We don't know facts but we do know that a guy closer to the Giants than we are says he's not wanted.

Just because hes not with the team due to league rules doesn't mean the guys are missing him.

[DWinzit]

"Eli [Manning] is playing better without him because he doesn't feel like he has to force the ball to him," said Hasselbeck. "I was in the offensive meetings where they said 'Listen, we need to get the ball to Jeremy early to keep him involved so he doesn't start going crazy.' Any time you have to start forcing the football (http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm#) to somebody to keep them happy it's not good and bad things happen."How many times have I written this in threads over the past few weeks, it is spot on!

[HeHateMe]

Definately gotta sting a little that the Gints have played so well without him.

Much better actually. He is the type of player that it gets his goat.

[DWinzit]

Definately gotta sting a little that the Gints have played so well without him.

Much better actually. He is the type of player that it gets his goat.Giant fans still can't bring themselves to admit this though......It is just so darn obvious.

[KiwiSupaFlyNuka]

Sigh.......Ho-hum. :rolleyes:




Giants better off without Shockey? Not quite

http://assets.espn.go.com/i/columnists/Chadiha_Jeffri_55.jpg (http://x.go.com/cgi/x.pl?goto=http://search.espn.go.com/keyword/search?searchString=jeffri_chadiha&name=SEARCH_m_archive&srvc=sz) By Jeffri Chadiha
ESPN.com
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Updated: January 31, 2008

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PHOENIX -- New York Giants (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyg) tight end Jeremy Shockey (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5900) doesn't like talking over the phone, so he's been sending constant text messages to his teammates during Super Bowl week.





They know it's killing him to be sidelined with a broken left leg and they understand why he hasn't shown up in Phoenix yet. This should be one of the most satisfying weeks of his career, an event he's dreamed of all his life. Instead, it will probably be one of the most bittersweet moments he's ever experienced.





The strangest part of this story, however, isn't that Shockey continues to rehabilitate back in Miami while the Giants prepare to face New England in Super Bowl XLII. It's that he's somehow become a topic of conversation during a week when there are plenty of other things to talk about. The question, for those who haven't heard it yet, is whether the Giants might be a better team without Shockey. The answer, for those who came to this space searching for an opinion, is that they aren't.





Make no mistake about this: The Giants would love to have Shockey available on Sunday. As much as they've benefited from the contributions of younger tight ends Kevin Boss (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=8407) and Mike Matthews (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10806), Shockey is a Pro Bowl-caliber player who's produced 371 receptions and 27 touchdowns during his six-year career.





"A lot has been made about [the impact of Shockey's loss] but I've always liked Jeremy's personality and his attitude," said Giants center Shaun O'Hara (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5309). "I know how hard it is for him to not be here. I also know that he's learned a lot about how to be more of a team player, just like everybody else on this team has this season."

[+] Enlarge (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeff&id=3224073#)

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0131/nfl_i_shockey_300.jpg (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeff&id=3224073#) Richard A. Brightly/Icon SMI

Jeremy Shockey broke his left fibula against the Redskins in Week 15. Before the injury, Shockey was having another productive season.







The main reason the Giants defend Shockey so vigorously is that they think he's misunderstood. While outsiders might wonder about his more publicized moments -- the controversial comments earlier in his career, the way he chirps at quarterback Eli Manning (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6760) to get him the ball, the animated histrionics that can leave the impression that he's just another spoiled, attention-seeking star -- his teammates see a guy who cares plenty about winning. In fact, they stressed that Shockey didn't come to Arizona because he feared he'd be a distraction. They think the last thing he wants to do this week is talk publicly about a game that won't include him.





So it really doesn't matter to the Giants that Shockey has been mostly absent since sustaining his injury in a 22-10 loss to Washington on Dec. 16. He's helped them this season with his production (57 receptions, 619 yards and three touchdowns) and his energy.





"I'd love for Shockey to be here but the fact is that he's hurt and he's not playing," said Giants cornerback R.W. McQuarters (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4290). "And if he was here, the media would be asking all kinds of questions and they'd want to know everything he'd been doing since he got hurt. He probably doesn't want to deal with all that. If I were in his shoes, I'd feel the same way."





The only thing that is quite apparent about Shockey's absence is that the Giants lack a vibrant personality on offense now. There isn't a vocal player like defensive end Michael Strahan (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=2579) or middle linebacker Antonio Pierce (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5742), and please don't say wide receiver Plaxico Burress (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5037) falls into that category. He may have made news with his guarantee of a Giants win earlier this week, but he's as laid-back as they come.





Now, there can be a argument made for Manning's prospering as a leader in recent weeks -- without Shockey or former Giants running back Tiki Barber (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=3937) around, there isn't an outgoing personality for Manning to defer to -- but Manning could've matured regardless of the circumstances.





If anything, Shockey's absence has allowed the Giants to learn quite a bit about the other weapons in their passing game. The most notable clearly has been rookie Steve Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=8305), who's developed into the third receiver the Giants have lacked since Manning came into the league in 2004. Smith's ability to produce in critical passing situations has made the loss of Shockey much easier to stomach in New York.





Head coach Tom Coughlin added that the Giants have tried to avoid massive adjustments to their offense to compensate for the loss of Shockey.





"We tried not to change a whole lot," Coughlin said. "We've utilized some other personnel combinations and we've also played a couple of young tight ends -- Kevin Boss and Mike Matthews -- that Jeremy has really helped bring along. Jeremy was an outstanding blocker as well as an outstanding receiver, so you do have a difficult time trying to maintain the same level of play. But these guys have done well."





Of course, it still would be nice to see Shockey in town at some point. There hasn't been any definitive news on when he'll arrive, but the Giants maintain it will be before Sunday. They added that he'd be just as passionate about cheering them on from the sidelines as he would if he were playing. That has been his personality for as long as they've known him and they don't see him sulking now.



The question, however, is whether the perception of Shockey will be different. After all, just the mere fact that people are discussing his value means one of two things: (1) It's a pretty slow news week or (2) His reputation has taken a major hit. To be honest, the Giants might claim that both factors have plenty to do with Shockey's image right now. And as far as they're concerned, there's something really wrong with that situation.

[twenty-eight]

probably the number one reason he is not supporting his team is the PLAYERS ON INJURED RESERVES DO NOT TRAVEL IN THE GIANTS ORGANIZATION!!! and honestly, how many home games have they had since shockey was injured? oh yeah, only one. i think everyone just likes to bash shockey without knowing the facts.

dont you think that a guy like hasselbeck who played for the giants for a couple years knows the facts?...I think he does

[DWinzit]

Make no mistake about this: The Giants would love to have Shockey available on Sunday. As much as they've benefited from the contributions of younger tight ends Kevin Boss (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=8407) and Mike Matthews (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10806), Shockey is a Pro Bowl-caliber player who's produced 371 receptions and 27 touchdowns during his six-year career. And yet their winning streak coincides with Eli playing smart ball (never thought I'd write that:laugh: ) and the Pro Bowl caliber whiner being injured. Hmmmm go figure!

[DancesInEndzone]

shockey=rage=roids......buyer beware

[pointyfootball]

dont you think that a guy like hasselbeck who played for the giants for a couple years knows the facts?...I think he does

Any guy who "earned" a 0.0 QB rating in game can't EVER criticize anyone.

This is blown out of proportion. Similiar to the way the Eagles played when McNabb wasn't in the lineup last year. Although that has 1000% more relevance than a TE! I despise the Giants and I despise Shockey most of all, but saying the reason they're "good" now is because he ISN'T playing is crazy. How about Manning finally decided to stop throwing bone-headed interceptions, and the defense played well as a team?

[DGreenistheBest]

Shockey was a primary influence on Eli throwing bad passes. Now that Shockey is gone, Eli is free to dish the ball around more than he was before. The Giants are better without Shockey, but not because he was dragging their talent down. The system just works better without him as a target right now.

[Brandon Lloyd Christmas]

probably the number one reason he is not supporting his team is the PLAYERS ON INJURED RESERVES DO NOT TRAVEL IN THE GIANTS ORGANIZATION!!! and honestly, how many home games have they had since shockey was injured? oh yeah, only one. i think everyone just likes to bash shockey without knowing the facts.


um, i dont know about the "rules" but if i was a team player and my team was going deeper into the playoffs every week, i sure as hell would be standing on the sidelines with my team every week helping in any way i could.

but lets get real, shockey comes off as a white trash scumbag, so its not a surprise hes at home doing something else.

[KiwiSupaFlyNuka]

Hasselbeck is just trying to be like Tiki.....Sorry Tim, you're wrong.


Quite a few members of the Giants' organization have tried to lure Shockey out to Super Bowl XLII in the days since his teammates defeated the Packers in the NFC Championship Game. But Shockey is still on crutches, thanks to the broken leg that ended his season on Dec. 16, and he would prefer to stay home in Miami away from the Super Bowl crowds and not be a distraction.

Besides, it would probably hurt a little less from afar.

"Well, he's devastated," tight ends coach Mike Pope said. "The arena is where he lives. He's not happy anywhere else. And this is just what he's spent his whole life trying to do. How many chances do you get to play in this game? So when that chance is eliminated by an injury, what do you do with those long days when you're sitting watching 'Guiding Light'?

"He tells me he's become an authority on The History Channel. But that's just not his life. This is all he's ever done and what he's done well."

As well as Shockey has done for the Giants, including the 57 catches for 619 yards and three touchdowns he had this season, the Giants actually have managed to go 4-1 since he got hurt. That success has led to a popular theory that the Giants are actually better off with Shockey out of the lineup, that somehow Eli Manning has emerged as a leader because the always emotional tight end is no longer screaming in his ear.

"That's a stupid theory," Manning said. "We've missed him greatly. He's a great player. He's made big plays for us. He's someone who's been a great emotional leader on the field."

"You take a four-time Pro Bowler out of your roster, you've got to be a little off center to say that would be advantageous," Pope added. "Why you would ever say a team would be better without a player who has a very, very strong, proven record? He's not detrimental to Eli's growth in any way, shape or form. I think it's ludicrous to think Eli would've got worse had Jeremy been here."


Pope actually seemed to get upset at "the narrow-mindedness of that thinking," and went so far as to say, "This is a game where he'd factor in."
Several players expressed similar disgust as well, especially since former Giants quarterback Tim Hasselbeck has given credence to the theory several times in the last few weeks on radio and TV.

"There's a difference between playing well without someone and playing well in spite of them," said center Shaun O'Hara. "How do you want to look at it, as a coincidence or a conspiracy theory?"

Much of the coincidence has been due to the emergence of rookie tight end Kevin Boss (13 catches, 163 yards, two touchdowns, including the playoffs) and rookie receiver Steve Smith (17-165), who got healthy just as Shockey went down. But they haven't been able to make up for what Pope called Shockey's "physical presence and his attitude. ... I think he's been a guy who's ignited our team on a number of occasions this year."

Now, from 2,400 miles away, Shockey is trying to ignite his team one more time. And he's been trying to do that ever since he broke his leg, leading to the surgery that ended his season.

[twenty-eight]

Any guy who "earned" a 0.0 QB rating in game can't EVER criticize anyone.

This is blown out of proportion. Similiar to the way the Eagles played when McNabb wasn't in the lineup last year. Although that has 1000% more relevance than a TE! I despise the Giants and I despise Shockey most of all, but saying the reason they're "good" now is because he ISN'T playing is crazy. How about Manning finally decided to stop throwing bone-headed interceptions, and the defense played well as a team?

He is just telling us what was said during meetings bhind closed doors. Why would Timmy lie? Did any players (other than TO) call out Mcnabb?


the giants could really use him against the past. The pats have "trouble" guarding the TE
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef.php

on a sidenote....friend of mine who is out of the country, ran into shockey and a bunch of his friends at a bar. They were all loud, drunk, and high off coke. He chilled with them for most of the evening...siad they were pretty cool.

[pjfootballer]

I think it's more that Shockey is disappointed that they finally get to SB and he can't be on the field. I get more resentment from him, then I do the team.

[CM916]

One of my favorite plays of all time from the Gibbs II era is when Shockey just stood there looking like a cry baby and bitching to the ref while the play was still live and we ran passed him with the interception.

He was like, "why isn't the ball in my hands?!?! That's illegal ref!"

[HeHateMe]

Too bad for Shockey, the proof is in the pudding.

The Giants, as a team, are playing the best football they've played since he was a member of the team.

And Eli, surpringly, has improved from sub par/average to above average in Shockey's absense as well.

Those are the facts, no matter how the team wants to spin it to spare poor Jeremy's sensitive ego.

[Shilsu]

I only see Shockey twice a year (guess which games) and maybe a handful of other occasions when I decide to watch Giants games out of boredom, but he has never stood out as being heads and tails above any other tight end. I'm sure all Redskins fans still remember when he started complaining to the refs while a pass to him got intercepted and returned for a TD.

Shockey can't even give the unacceptable excuse that Brandon Lloyd and Santana Moss gave for some boneheaded plays, "I didn't know it was coming to me".