So, No. 80 is back, having joined his teammates yesterday for the Organized Team Activities. He'll be here through next week's mini-camp.
Oh, and he's huge. Says he's 265 pounds, 11 pounds more than he's weighed at any point in his career. He looks jacked -- stronger shoulders, greasier hair.
Here's what he said, unfiltered:
"I thought I’d come in, work out as much as possible with the team. I thought it went great, same stuff we’ve been doing the last couple years, nothing new.
"It is only June, our first game is still a long way away. What you do now and how much hard work you put in now can only benefit you in the future. It’s good to see a bunch of the guys I haven’t seen in a long time, good to see how these guys work out. Guys have kids already that I haven’t seen in a long time.
"I intend, every year when I leave, to work hard. In order to do that, I need to be in a very intense, very hot environment – in that aspect, you gain an edge, because you’re working outside, in the heat. It’s that much harder.
"(The extra weight) is for power. I’m faster than I was last year. It’s not to be a better blocker, though it’ll help me on my blocking. I think I’m a lot more explosive than I was last year. It has more to do with my diet – what I eat is all organic, all natural, not much red meat.
"If (being here) was such a big deal I think Ernie Accorsi would have put in my contract a bonus, or a clause, (requiring me) to be here 50 percent of the time, or 100 percent. That right there should tell you it’s not a big deal. He was one of the best general managers in the game. Off-season workouts (with the team) are about keeping guys in shape that don’t want to be in shape. Guys kind of stray off, eat the wrong food.
"Of course (TC and Eli) want guys here. Why wouldn’t they? But when I was getting flak for not being here, it was still raining out and they were working inside the bubble.
"I’m not trying to change anybody’s opinions, I got a close group of friends. If you don’t like me because I don’t work out here, or if you think I’m not doing this to help the team, so be it. I do it because it’s on natural surfaces, it’s not below 40 degrees and I work out with college kids, kids who are trying to make it, not with guys who have to be here to receive a $25,000 bonus.
"I’m glad I came, I’ll be here for 10-15 days. I hope people get used to it, because next year it’s going to be the issue again, and the year after that.
"Leaders are made in-season, not in the off-season. That’s just how I feel. If we played a game next week, I’d be here. If it benefited me that much, I’d be here. I’d be the first person here in the morning and the last to leave if it benefited me that much.
"You’d have to ask Eli. I was out at practice today, I maybe caught two passes the whole practice, so it’s nothing new for me. The offense seems the same, I miss the guys, but my off-season home is in Florida, and it seems every year people don’t understand why.
"I think it’s a slap in my face that people question me about trying to better myself. I have to take care of myself first in order to better this team. I’m not drinking every night, out every night; if I do go, I guarantee I’m going to work out the next day. Just the fact that people question how hard I work… I play hurt, I’ve played with broken bones in my body and I’m going to continue to play like that.
"It seems like no matter what I do, it’s not good enough for the people in this area. But I feel like I’m the same player I was at Miami. I’m 26 years old and I know the window’s closing, so I want to win a championship. A couple of key guys have left, but if everyone works as hard in the season as they’re working now, we have a chance."
Plaxico Burress was not on hand, nor was Jim Finn, Michael Strahan or Kawika Mitchell. TC revealed that Finn injured his shoulder at some point recently and is having that checked out. Other tidbits:
-- TC said that Amani Toomer and Strahan would do individual work during next week's mini-camp, but likely no team drills or "bumping and grinding," as the coach called it. Justin Tuck will be held out of everything until training camp.
-- Corey Webster stood and watched most of the team work again today and TC said that's due to Webster's January hip surgery, not any demotion.
-- Zach Piller was out working with the O-line. TC sees him as a "sixth or seventh guy," but hasn't ruled out Piller beating out Rich Seubert for the starting right guard spot.
Comments (4)
Glad to see Shockey back in the fold. He's the engine that keeps our offense going. I like Eli, I like Strahan, but nobody on this team gets me fired up like Shockey. He plays with heart. I hope he remains a Giant for the remainder of his career.
Shockey is 100% right. Voluntary does not mean required. Eli asked and Shockey showed up. If he really works out harder and better than he would in NJ then everyone needs to get off of this. Showing up bigger and stronger should be enough to prove his work-outs are as good or better than the teams work outs. He's a warrior. If we win a SB everyone who is on him will have to eat crow.
Dear Arthur,
Awesome blog today. Now if you can do that each and every day – that would be even more awesome.
On to Shockey. I like the big lug. I like his fire. I like his play. I want him to be a part of this team. (I don’t like how he seems to get hurt every year and can’t go one hundred percent – but that’s another topic in and of itself).
There still seems to be a huge point of contention that perhaps you can clear up for me. Shockey claims to be here (working out with the team) when he needs to be here; and that his training schedule is for the greater benefit of the New York Giants. Perhaps that is true, but the question I have is: Are there any times when Eli is ‘here’ and is going to be throwing the ball to his tight ends – ostensibly to work on his passing game and timing, etc. – and Shockey is NOT here to be his receiver? I’m serious. That issue is still not clear to me. I keep reading conflicting accounts on this issue. So what’s the poop?
If the answer to that question is Yes – and Eli would be practicing and throwing the ball to Shockey, but Shockey is in Florida so Eli has to practice with someone else, then clearly Shockey’s schedule is NOT for the greater good of the team.
If the answer is No – the team is lifting weights and running laps and there is no real ‘practice’ whereby Eli will be throwing the ball to his receivers in some type of simulated game with real offensive formations, then I’d say the pundits are guilty of manufacturing a controversy where none exists.
I would try to correlate the relationship that Eli has with his receivers to the one that brother Payton has with his receivers. Payton Manning throwing the ball in the off season to Marvin Harrison is well chronicled, and their recent success is testament to how that type of practice produces results.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks in advance,
-Big BB
Shockey said it all when he said "If it benefited me enough I would be here.".
He just doesn't get it.....people aren't questioning him about him doing what is right for him.....They are questioning him not working with our QB.
It's amazing how in three short months he gained 11 pounds and yet reduced his body fat percentage. Any trainers want to weigh in as to how a 26 yr old could achieve those results? Perhaps that reason is why he is down in Florida.