Jeremy Shockey, Take Three

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Jeremy Shockey’s career appears to be settling into its triumphant third act.


In Act I, the free-spirited rookie from a small town in Oklahoma comes to the big city and unleashes his vast talents on the NFL, making the Pro Bowl and setting team records at his position.


Act II is the inevitable fall from grace as the team stumbles and the hero’s brashness begins to look more like self-aggrandizement. Several ill-timed – some would say vulgar and inflammatory – public comments only fan the flames.


Now comes Act III, in which the chastened hero minds his manners, is rededicated to his craft, and again becomes a star and even a team leader of sorts.


Through 11 games, the Giants’ tight end already has seven touchdown catches, one more than his career best. His 713 yards are second among NFL tight ends behind San Diego’s Antonio Gates (823), and his 14.9-yard average is the best in the NFL among tight ends with more than 18 receptions.


Not coincidentally, the Giants are 7-4 and tied for the first place in the NFC East with Dallas as they prepare for Sunday’s showdown with the Cowboys at Giants Stadium.


“This game’s hard, especially being in New York on the no. 1 stage in America,” Shockey says.


Worshipped as a rookie in 2002 when his 74 receptions set team marks for rookies and tight ends, Shockey has had a sometimes uneasy relationship with Giants fans, though the team’s 10-22 record in 2003 and 2004 undoubtedly fueled their discontent.


“I can’t really control what people think of me. They praise me now, but I guarantee if I start not doing well, they’re going to start bashing me.”


Shockey’s increased numbers this season are the product of several factors. They include better health – he has been plagued by nagging foot injuries. They also include Eli Manning’s growth as an NFL quarterback and the addition of wideout Plaxico Burress, signed as a free agent in the off-season. Burress leads the team with 60 receptions for 928 yards, and has opened up room in the secondary for Shockey.


“I think they are very much helping each other in the attention that teams have given them,” Giants tight ends coach Mike Pope said. “Both of them are pretty tall and good jumpers, so teams have to think about putting those 5-foot-9 guys out there to cover them.”


He won’t come out and say he has learned from his public mistakes – such as throwing a cup of ice into the stands in San Francisco that inadvertently hit two children or calling Cowboys coach Bill Parcells a derogatory name in a magazine article.


But it’s clear Shockey has adopted an all-business attitude when it comes to football and is a respected part of the team. He and Barber were the two players invited to the deathbed of Wellington Mara, the team’s owner and the NFL’s patriarch, on the day before he died.


The old Shockey occasionally resurfaces, too, as it did near the end of the Seattle game. He mugged for the sideline cameras as Jay Feely’s attempt at a game-winning field goal appeared to be sailing through the uprights, only to look on in disbelief when the kick missed.


“I’m always going to be looking in a positive direction,” Shockey said unapologetically. “If I look like a fool on national TV, so be it. I’m an emotional person, that’s how I am.”


The New York Sun

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