With the NFL’s trade deadline fast approaching (October 14), one potential deal that is gaining momentum is Kansas City Chiefs perennial All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez to the N.Y. Giants. It makes sense. Tony’s not getting any younger. He’s done his time in K.C. and it’s fairly evident the schizophrenic Chiefs are in a rebuilding mode (although Chiefs offensive lineman Adrian Jones and I discussed this as kind of bogus last week). The Giants could use a TE and red zone threat to replace Jeremy Shockey (who was traded to New Orleans, of course) because they haven’t gotten much from the position so far this season. Kevin Boss has five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. Further down the depth chart, TEs Michael Matthews and Darcy Johnson haven’t registered any stats.

Would Chiefs President/GM/CEO Carl Peterson go for it? I think so. He and Tony are pretty close so I think he would be more apt to do what’s right for Tony’s career. Of course, he’ll make sure the Chiefs are properly compensated. If the Giants are serious about making another title run, it could happen. Shall we say a second- and a fifth-round Draft pick in 2009?

Source: Fox Sports

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Tony Gonzalez to N.Y. Giants?

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The N.Y. Giants traded disgruntled tight end Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints today for second and fifth round picks in next year’s NFL Draft. I expected this trade to happen back in April, so it’s really no surprise the deal finally went down. It’s just a couple months later than I envisioned.

The Giants proved they could win without Jeremy last season as they steamrolled through the playoffs while he watched from the sidelines on crutches. His displeasure with his contract and affinity for stirring the pot in New York made him expendable. Now the Giants just need to make sure Kevin Boss stays healthy. I felt Jeremy made the Giants better right now and gave them a luxury at the tight end position, but obviously the team felt he was doing more harm than good.

I think both the Giants and Saints win in this trade. The Giants get rid of a potential distraction while the Saints get a four-time Pro Bowler and emotional, talented playmaker. Along with Reggie Bush and Marcus Colston, suddenly the Saints have a plethora of weapons for QB Drew Brees to play with. Jeremy will also be reunited with Saints head coach Sean Payton where he was the NFL’s Rookie-of-the-Year (74 receptions, 894 yards) when Coach Payton was his offensive coordinator in 2002.

Source: NY Times, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Giants Trade Jeremy Shockey to Saints

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Here’s the new Reebok NFL Equipment commercial that features 20 NFL players, the most to ever appear in a single TV ad. Look for Eli and Peyton Manning, Kevin Boss, Jerricho Cotchery, Greg Ellis, Matt Hasselbeck, Madison Hedgecock, Chad Johnson, Thomas Jones, Mathias Kiwanuka, Nick Mangold, Laurence Maroney, Jeff Saturday, Bo Scaife, Derrick Ward, DeMarcus Ware, Ty Warren, Benjamin Watson, Reggie Wayne, and Vince Young. The products? Each player is wearing his team’s NFL Equipment Speedwick Tee and Reebok HexRide Rally II kicks. Football is back. Nice.

Source: Reebok

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Reebok NFL Players ‘Join the Migration’

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In his first public comments since breaking his leg last December, N.Y. Giants TE Jeremy Shockey pointed his finger at his team for the offseason speculation about his future and reported unhappiness:

“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.”

You’ll notice Jeremy said “if” he makes it to minicamp this week. All indications are that he won’t be there. He was a no-show at the team’s Super Bowl parade, White House visit and championship-ring ceremony. Why would he show-up now? Those absences speak volumes and have led to rumors that Jeremy was trade bait during NFL Draft weekend. But the Giants turned away the offer of a second-round pick this year and a fifth-rounder next year from the Saints. And ownership, management and coaches have repeatedly said they want to keep Jeremy.

Apparently, Jeremy has told friends that he is unhappy with his role, his contract and the notion that the Giants were better off without him after he broke his leg in Week 15 because Eli Manning didn’t have the “burden” of having to pass the ball to Shockey to keep him happy. Give me a break. You know how some receivers are always calling for the ball? Well, there you go, but I’m sure Eli can handle the huddle.

I can’t imagine that the N.Y. Giants are a better football team without Jeremy. Sure, he’s Kid Rock on steroids and pretty volatile at times, but he’s a heck of a football player and should be “taken care of.” On the other hand, the guy has to realize he’s not indispensable. Kevin Boss made great strides late last season, but obviously two quality tight ends are better than one. Jeremy needs to sit down with the front office and iron this out.

Source: NY Daily News, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Jeremy Shockey is Disgruntled