The Giants' tight end didn't pull a Casino Road and scratch out of his scheduled appearance at the POWERade Pro Challenge this afternoon at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. I said I wouldn't believe he'd show until I saw it, and then I saw it -- Shockey getting out of a big black SUV, peeling off his white T-shirt and standing bare-chested in the parking lot while some of the workers scurried around the area looking for an XXL POWERade T-shirt (they eventually found one). He met with the media for a few minutes, offering only a few slivers of his feelings in what were his first public statements anywhere since before the Super Bowl.
First the statements, then you can click below for some amateur phrenology:
"The statement I would like to make about the Giants and speculation in the offseason is that whatever happens between the upper management, the lower management, the owners, any management, is gonna keep between ourselves. Unlike the Giants, I’m gonna be quiet. They’ve released multiple things about myself and if you look back into the media, there’s always a source. Well, I’d like to know who this source is and we’ll go over here and we’ll deal with it ourselves, because I haven’t said one negative thing towards the Giants in the newspapers. I have never expressed feelings of the things you guys have made up. I'm here doing a great deal with Powerade and that’s it. If I make it to minicamp you guys will have a chance to interrogate me a little more."
On his injury: "I feel like I been getting better. Obviously I’m not 100 percent and if I do show to minicamp its going to be, I wouldn’t imagine me doing much, just getting treatment on my leg. So this is the only statement I’m going to make and this is going to be between the Giants and myself and that’s really about it."
On whether he plans on being in town for a few days (minicamp starts Wednesday): "Who knows? You know me, I might go back to see my mother in Texas. I have no idea."
And later, about speculation that the Giants wanted to trade him: "Why wouldn't they want me?" He also spoke about how he's not a bad guy, never been arrested, never committed crimes. He also said he spoke with Giants owner Steve Tisch earlier in the day, holding up his cellphone from a distance as if to prove he was in communicado rather than incommunicado.
What does it mean? Well, it sounds like Shockey is pretty ticked off at the Giants, or at least someone in the organization. "Unlike the Giants, I'm gonna be quiet" is pretty strong stuff. There's also that ticklish word "if" he used when discussing minicamp next week. That's kind of a strange thing for a happy player to say about a mandatory team event. My guess is he'll be there to avoid the fines, but we won't see him on the field or in the locker room -- and thus won't have a chance to further interrogate him, as he promised.
How did he look? Well, he wasn't limping. And his appetitie seemed pretty solid as he spent a good deal of his time at the event in the VIP tent chowing down. He also gave a little demonstration for some of the kids who were there on catching passes, telling them how to hold their hands and how to tuck the ball away before they run with it. I guess they ran out of time before he could instruct them on the finer points of blocking.
Oh, Antonio Pierce was there too. So was Corey Webster. AP is back from his honeymoon and will be with the team this week. No ifs from him.
A few other things I noticed: Pierce was wearing his SB ring. Shockey was not. We're not even sure if he got his yet. Neither Pierce nor Shockey were at the ring ceremony.
Also, it was interesting to see Shockey sign all of the things fans handed him, many of which had the Super Bowl XLII logo prominents displayed on them. That had to make the big guy cringe a little each time he did it.
Comments (8)
I like the fact that he showed up...not so crazy about the other comments though. As I have said many times, I love having Shockey on the Giants, but what is up with his atttitude?? You got hurt and your team won the Super Bowl w/out you. Deal w/ it. If he wants to shut people up, come back to camp, work hard and have a big year.
http://www.myteamrivals.typepad.com/newyorkgiants
I like Shockey and I didn't want him traded but when is he gonna grow up? The man is going to be 28 years old. Can he start acting like a 28 year old adult male? His comments make him sound like a child.
"Unlike the Giants, I’m gonna be quiet."
What? All I've heard from the Giants were people kissing his butt saying how much they want him back.
Unreal
Thanks Tom.
He's seems mad from his comments but it does seem like he's holding back. I believe that he did want a trade and the Giants tried to get fair market value but could not.
I'm very glad he's still a Giant.
hey fester,it is casino drive,not road.
Even though he is lashing out at the Giants organization, I think his words are somewhat logical. Again, the part where he bashed the organization and FO is absolutely wrong, he is right about the media. How would you feel if your team won the Super Bowl and the backup at your position played a key role in winning it? Obviously, not very good. The Giants handled the situation perfectly; unfortunately, the media blew it out of proportion. The Giants showed their willingness to keep Shockey by turning down a second-round draft choice. That does say something, because Shockey has produced very little on the field in recent years.
Shockey should really work harder this season and produce. His mouth has been kept shut about the Giants organization up until now. I expect him to step his game up this season.
Let's face facts, Shockey is a talented football player who if not injured would have had gaudy numbers for a TE. What has held him back is, himself.
No need to try to be Bavaro every play. Carrying people on his back after every catch. Trying to run over every defensive player. That's not how you play football in the 21st century. The defensive players are just as big, fast and strong these days.
When he was given those awesome physical tools someone forget to add common sense. He's a BIG BABY.......
Just shut up, come to camp and be part of a team who will contend for another super bowl and win it if they stay healthy and the little rolls of the ball go their way.
With Shockey it's always been 10 guys and ME. Well it's 53 players and the coaching staff and everybody involved with the Giants down to the water/towel boys. When he starts realizing that he just may be a winning player not a footnote 20 years from now about what could have been a HOF career of an ex giant football player.
"Mommy, the Giants are saying bad things about me."
Shockey should stop acting like a pouting child and the media won't end up asking the Giants dozens of questions a day about him, some answers of which he hasn't liked.
He was a part of the Superbowl win. Boss talked about how much Shockey had taught him. All his teammates have spoken out about how much they want him back, and the team refused a high draft pick to keep him, even with his behavior issues.
Great heart, great skills, just think if he used his head more he could go from great to legendary.
Shockey wouldn't be Shockey if he didn't display a cockey attitude.The NY media will always blow everything up/out of perportion.Thats why Giants fans and the media like him so much: he has the same cockey attitude on the playing field as he does off.Rock on Jeremy