Giants: Unhappy Shockey sees other TEs passing him by

[1niksder]

Giants: Unhappy Shockey sees other TEs passing him by Wednesday, December 08, 2004
BY MIKE GARAFOLO
Six days ago, Giants' tight end Jeremy Shockey unleashed a 10-minute, profanity-laced tirade on the team's poor morale and his limited effectiveness in coach Tom Coughlin's offense. Three days ago, after a 31-7 loss to the Redskins, Shockey said Coughlin's system had turned him into "an average player."

Something is gnawing at Shockey, but he won't say exactly what it is.

Here's a theory: His numbers are dropping, and he is slipping down the ladder of the top tight ends in the NFL.


Shockey was arguably No. 2 behind the Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez before the season, but now has probably been passed by Antonio Gates (Chargers), Alge Crumpler (Falcons) and Jason Witten (Cowboys). Crumpler has fewer catches than Shockey but has been more explosive, with 16.2 yards per catch.

"You all write it, you all come up with it," Shockey said last week. "I'm not going to give you the easy way out and tell you all the answers."

In former coach Jim Fassel's offense, Shockey was a star. As a rookie, he caught 74 passes for 894 yards, an average of 12.1 yards per catch. In Shockey's second year, also under Fassel, the numbers dropped off, but that was because he missed the final seven games with a knee injury.

Now, in Coughlin's first season, the numbers are slipping even further. Shockey has spent more time blocking in an attempt to protect the quarterbacks, but the Giants also have shortened his routes, making it difficult for him to make big plays. He has only seven receptions of 20 yards or more, just two in the past five games.

Earlier in the season, Shockey had complained because he was uncomfortable with the increased blocking demands. He also said pre-snap movement was sapping his energy.

Though he denied altering Shockey's role, Coughlin made adjustments to keep his tight end happy. But those changes might have led to Shockey's latest complaints.

The motion in Coughlin's offense is designed to create mismatches, confuse the defense and get Shockey into the secondary more easily. And now, even when the Giants line up Shockey as a wide receiver, defenses expect the ball to go to him and adjust.

So what will make Shockey happy? The answer might be as simple as changing the routes he runs.

In his first two years, Shockey was utilized as a vertical threat, capable of picking up chunks of yardage. The seam route -- he would line up at tight end and simply run through the lane between the linebacker, safety and cornerback -- and the wheel --he would start in the slot and run toward the sideline before turning upfield -- were effective plays.

But under Coughlin, the seam route has been ineffective lately. Shockey dropped a pass three games ago against the Falcons when two defenders converged on him as he caught the ball. Two weeks earlier, a miscommunication on the route with quarterback Kurt Warner resulted in an interception by the Bears.

And the wheel route might not even be in the playbook.

Because he is asked to run mostly short hooks and quick outs, Shockey rarely gets an opportunity to break away from a linebacker, catch a ball on the run and power over a defensive back or two. When he catches a pass now, he often is hit immediately.

In 2002, Shockey averaged 5.8 yards after the catch. That number dipped to four yards last year before sliding to 3.7 this season.

Shockey isn't pointing fingers only at the coaches, he also is wondering about his teammates.

"I think it might be the different scheme, people just aren't getting it, I don't know why," Shockey said after Sunday's loss. "I don't think they're really studying it when they go home, not putting 100 percent into it."

[Primetime42]

Whatever. Good for him.

Witten's better

[General Failure]

I'd take any other starting TE in the NFCE over Shockey right now.

[Redskin Stouff]

Shockey's a loser. I can't believe Coughlin is putting up with his BS.

[JansenFan]

Man, I can't believe I had to bust this out twice in one week, but here you go Mr. Suckey...errrr....Shockey.

[tcwest10]

Shockey whining again ?
In NY, you'd think he was the second coming of Elvis the way the media and NYG fans hang on his every word.
At day's end, he's just another player to me. Nothing special.

[welch]

Six days ago, Giants' tight end Jeremy Shockey unleashed a 10-minute, profanity-laced tirade on the team's poor morale and his limited effectiveness in coach Tom Coughlin's offense. Three days ago, after a 31-7 loss to the Redskins, Shockey said Coughlin's system had turned him into "an average player."

Does Shockey add as much as he subtracts from the Giants?

It's hard to imagine that Coughlin will tolerate him much longer.

[Irn-Bru]

I'd take any other starting TE in the NFCE over Shockey right now.

Are you counting Royal as our TE, or are you referring to ey with this statement? (Just curious)

[General Failure]

I'll go with ey, even if he's not supposed to be considered the TE. But heck, if Alstott can be considered a FB ey can be The King of Carolina for all I care.