Shockey Speaks, Probably Shouldn’t
Jeremy Shockey finally spoke publically since breaking his leg in Week 15. As speculated, he was in Flushing Meadows Corona Park yesterday participating in the Powerade Pro Challenge. Shockey began with the statement below, and you can sense how bitter he is just by reading his statement.
The statement I would like to make about the Giants and the speculation in the offseason is that whatever happens between the upper management, lower management, the owners, any management, is going to (stay) between ourselves. Unlike the Giants, I am going to be quiet. They have released multiple things about myself, and if you look back into the media (reports), there is always a source. Well, I would like to know who the source is.
I haven’t said one negative thing towards the Giants in the newspapers. I have never expressed the feelings of the things that you guys (the media) made up. You guys will be able to talk to me (more) if I make it to minicamp.
All I recall the Giants ever saying is that Jeremy Shockey is their starting Tight End. The fans may be split on the topic, but the organization only stated one thing. So Jeremy blamed the media for making up his discontent with the team. Classless? I think so. Every article during the offseason that reported ’friends of Jeremy Shockey’ said this were made up. And so many of them. I’m not buying what he’s selling. Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News got this out of Shockey’s statement.
I do love it when an athlete says “I’m going to be quiet” and then proceeds to speak out anyway. Rather than express a desire to put the whole affair behind him and get back to work and be a good teammate, Shockey chose to let everyone know that he’s got some bitter feelings towards the Giants, that he thinks they’ve been the leak for all the reports of his unhappiness, and that he might not show up to the mandatory mini-camp that begins on Wednesday.
Hey, great. Thanks for not being a distraction.
In Shockey’s statement, by the way, he neglected to mention a few things. First, he forgot to say that he’s had all offseason to clear the air and say “The reports are wrong. I want to be with the Giants. I’m happy here.” He chose not to do that for several months, allowing plenty of time for the flames to grow. Second, his own agent - Drew Rosenhaus - added gasoline to the fire when he went on ESPN in mid-April and also chose not to clear the air either. In fact, Rosenhaus fogged it up by admitting to “conversations” with the Giants about Shockey’s situation and, rather than say “Shockey is very happy,” he said “In terms of Jeremy’s feelings as relating to the Giants, that’s something we’ve communicated to the Giants and the ball’s going to be in their court.”
Tom Rock of Newsday wrote, “Shockey hinted that he might be so peeved as to skip the team’s mandatory minicamp this week.” This is because Shockey stated, “”Obviously. I’m not 100 percent and if I do show to minicamp, it’s going to be, I wouldn’t imagine me doing much, just getting treatment on my leg.” Following this, Shockey was asked if he would be in the New York area for a few days and said this, “Who knows? You know me, I might go back to see my mother in Texas. I have no idea.” What kind of answer is that? Why would he not attend mandatory minicamp?
Last, Rock said that Shockey was, “pointing out that he’s never been arrested or caused the organization other headaches.” He shouted, ”Why wouldn’t they want me?” Shockey not a headache, what kind of answer is that? It is very clear that Jerry Reese needs to remove the cancers of his team: Shockey and Strahan. The team will be much better off without all of the ‘headaches’ that these two players bring the team. This is what happens when these players are told how great they are since they put on their first helmet. The ego grows and grows until they live in another world which we don’t understand. Why can’t he just shut up and play football?
