Jeremy Shockey's Absence The Real Reason For Eli Manning, New York Giants Success

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1/29/08

Jeremy Shockey's Absence The Real Reason For Eli Manning, New York Giants Success

NFL

CriticalFanatic

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A lot of the speculation over the last two weeks has been the Giants are a much better football team without Tiki Barber's locker room presence.

While that may be the case, I think it's worth considering that Eli Manning and the Giants are having their best success as a result of Jeremy Shockey's absence. While Shockey's a tremendous talent, you can't argue that Eli has looked far more confident and far more comfortable since Shockey was sidelined in Week 15 with a broken leg.

Consider that Shockey's two lowest output games this year (1 catch in each) the Giants were victorious. In his best game - 12 catches - New York lost.

You get the feeling Manning often tried to force the ball to his tight end and didn't feel comfortable with Shockey's constant bravado.

And Eli's postseason numbers speak for themselves.

The only people missing Jeremy this week are those in the media.

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1/29/08

kantwistaye

1	Shockey has long been one of the most overrated players in the league to me. He has a big mouth in the media capital so people are going to buy into him. He's certainly talented, but he's at best the 3 TE in his own division and maybe the 4th best. If he'd ever shut up and lose the enormous ego he'd be much better, but that will never happen.

1/29/08

JewelOfSong

kantwistaye wrote:

Shockey has long been one of the most overrated players in the league to me. He has a big mouth in the media capital so people are going to buy into him. He's certainly talented, but he's at best the 3 TE in his own division and maybe the 4th best. If he'd ever shut up and lose the enormous ego he'd be much better, but that will never happen.

I agree, I've always thought Shockey was overrated. He's a solid TE, but he's not the "tremendous talent" many people think he is.

Boss has filled in nicely. He's not as good a blocker as Shockey is, but he can catch the ball. Also, the absence of Shockey as allowed Steve Smith to emerge as Eli's third passing option.

I definitely think Shockey not being there has effected the team chemistry, and allowed Eli to be more comfortable in the huddle... not b/c Shockey intimidated him, but rather b/c he would just carry on and on and Eli's not the type to show his teammates up. I don't Shockey ever intentionally tries to show anyone up, he's just too emotional. Perhaps when he comes back, he'll be a little more mature... but I think that's just wishful thinking on my part :P

1/29/08

kappafla211

(Edited by kappafla211)

Great timing on this CF.

My boss and I were talking about these same topics this morning. We said it was definitely better that Tiki is sitting in a studio bashing Eli and the Giants then in their locker room.

With Shockey we said about the same thing as Jewel. We also noticed that Boss has made some very important catches and blocks during this playoff streak and is very low key. But knows his role and is playing it well now that he has been given the time on the field.

I think Shockey's temper can be compared to T.O. when set off(disastrous). So for Eli it is like walking on egg shells and when Tiki was there in the years past it was twice as bad.

1/29/08

kappafla211