Five Questions for Jeremy Shockey

After such a promising start to his young career, it seemed Jeremy Shockey had the makings of an all-time great. Making the all-pro team in his rookie year and the pro-bowl in four of his first five seasons, this tight end seemed destined for greatness.

Then came the injuries. Then came the negative press about his attitude and the eventual trade from New York to New Orleans. Then came even more injuries. Now he is three years removed from his last pro-bowl season and has to prove himself all over again.

As Shockey tries to come back and prove he is still an elite tight end, there must be a lot going on in his head as he looks back at what could have been and is in store for his future. Here are five questions I would pose to him if I was alotted the chance:

1) Where would Shockey be if he never injured himself in New York?

If Shockey would never have broken his fibula, would he still be donning black and gold today? After Shockey broke his fibula in week fifteen of 2006, he was replaced by Kevin Boss, who's big blocks and soft hands helped the Giants win Super Bowl XLII.

When the team ended up winning the Super Bowl XLII with the better-blocking Boss at tight end, the Giants then eventually decided to trade Shockey to the Saints. Besides the emergence of Boss, Shockey's declining play in 2007 before the injury was also a factor in the trade.

Lastly, since the injury occurred Shockey felt ailienated from the team. Many from sports media claimed that the team was better off with out Shockey's loud mouth and that the team played better without him. After winning the Super Bowl, Shockey did not even make the annual trip to the White House for the victors.

Considering all that, where would Shockey be if he never suffered that injury? Do the Giants still win the Super Bowl? Is Shockey still a member of the Big Blue? It would be interesting to hear Shockey's take on it.

2) How much does Jeremy Shockey have left in the tank?

In the past two seasons Shockey has missed ten games and suffered one season ending injury that required surgery. During this time-period, his numbers have slowly started to decline, even if you play out his past two seasons over sixteen games. In other words, it appears that Shockey is starting to slow down.

While Shockey is still on the right side of thirty, he is getting up there in age at twenty eight, and plays one of the most physically demanding positions. Throughout his career he has given up his body, making tough catches in traffic while taking thunderous hits from some of the game's best linebackers.

Yet still, Shockey maintains he is finally back to 100 percent and ready to go. Is his body is 100 percent today the same that it was seven years ago, when he made the all-pro team as a rookie?

3) Is Jeremy Shockey Hall of Fame worthy?

Coming out of college, Jeremy Shockey was hyped up to be a big deal. He was talked up as a tight end who could potentially revolutionize the position, and at first it seemed like maybe he did.

By making the all-pro team in his first year and garnering 313 receptions in his first five, Shockey, along with tight ends such as Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates have helped transform the tight end position from essentially a sixth linemen into a hybrid receiver. Now a tight end only has sub 4.5 seed, he is still over 250 pounds of muscle.

However with only four or five really good years before injuries started to set on, his resume at this point would not seem up to snuff for the Hall of Fame. If his production in the next few years continues to tail off, he may not be the lock that he seemingly once was. Shockey is going to have to have a few more prow-bowl type seasons if he hopes to see his name engraved in Canton.

4) What is the truth behind the Eli Manning/Tiki Barber fued?

Jeremy Shockey has never been one to shy from the camera and will always say what is on his mind. So it would be interesting to he his whole take on the Tiki Barber/Eli Manning Fued

After Tiki Barber retired following the 2005 regular season, as a television analyst the next year Barber called out Eli Manning, stating that he had no leadership ability and was not taken seriously when talking to the team in the huddle.

Manning took that criticism in stride, never really responding, and ended up leading the fourth quarter drive that would bring home Super Bowl XLII. Either way, it is easy to see why Eli Manning and Tiki Barber are no longer the best of friends.

As the other offensive star during the Barber Era, it would be interesting to see Shockey's view on both Eli Manning as he grew through his struggles, and Tiki Barber, an undeniably talented player who some have claimed may have been a clubhouse cancer despite his amazing on-the-field performance. He may be the one unbiased, candid player who can give real insight into what was going on inside the Giants' locker room.

5) Who is the hardest hitter in the NFL?

If there is a position that is qualified to say who is the hardest hitter in football, it has to be the tight end. Running dangerous routes across the middle of the field, the tight-end is always vulnerable from getting decked by a linebacker or safety as they unsuspectingly reach out for ball.

Considering Shockey has caught 421 balls in his career and is not exactly known for being someone who shys from contact, he is probably supremely qualified to let us know who the hardest hitter in football is.

While knowing Shockey, he could always say that no one is a hard-hitter because he is too tough, I have feel a feeling this is a topic Shockey would have a lot to say about.