The Shockey-ing Effect on the NFC Landscape

Derek Lofland, Fantasy Football Maniaxs.com

It is nice to finally have something to talk about other than Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers' standoff. The acquisition of Jeremy Shockey in New Orleans dramatically affects the NFC South. 

I have always viewed Jeremy Shockey as a slightly-overrated tight end. He's neither had a 1,000-yard season nor has he played 16 games in a season. Only twice in his career has he had more than 700 yards receiving. He matched his career high in touchdowns (7), only twice in his career.

People tend to lump Gates, Gonzalez, and Shockey as the best tight ends in the NFL. In my mind, Gates and Gonzalez are by far the best two. Jason Witten and Kellen Winslow are also rising stars at the position, and their production was better than Shockey's in 2007.

Make no mistake, Shockey is still a fantastic addition. He has never played with a great QB. Early in his career, he played with Kerry Collins. Though Collins led the Giants to the Super Bowl in 2000, he was an average quarterback by 2002.

While Eli Manning showed he could lead a team to a Super Bowl, he has a career 73.4 rating and a career 54.7 completion percentage. That, statistically, wasn't going to help Shockey put up big numbers in the regular season.

The Saints present an interesting opportunity for Shockey.

Wide receiver Marques Colston and running back Reggie Bush are the main offensive weapons for the Saints, with Robert Meacham and Deverey Henderson providing secondary options at wide receiver. Tight end Eric Johnson joined the fold in 2007.

The Saints' offense has lacked a consistent running game and an elite tight end in recent years. Shockey will help in both regards. He is an excellent blocker that will help open up holes for running backs. He will also be able to stretch the middle of the field and keep the linebackers and safeties honest.

Drew Brees loves throwing to the tight end. Gates had 964 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2004 and 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2005 while catching passes from Brees in San Diego.

I picked the Saints to go 10-6 this season and win the NFC South before the addition of Shockey. This move makes me more certain of that pick. The Saints are not a 12-4 or 13-3 team, because new additions to the defense will take time to improve.

Jeremy Shockey makes this dangerous offense even more explosive. He should help the Saints win the very average NFC South.

Though the Giants were able to win the Super Bowl without Shockey, his replacement, Kevin Boss, is by no means an equal in the passing game. He blocks well in both the passing and running game, and he was able to make key catches for the Giants throughout the playoffs. 

Shockey was going to be nothing but a distraction for New York in 2008. He was not happy with the Giants' front office, and the move allows their younger receivers to be a bigger part of the Giants' offense.

The Giants may turn the second and fifth round picks they received in the trade into valuable players in 2009.