2008 New York Giants: Addition by Subtraction

First, Kevin Boss has emerged as a quality TE. Boss is a fine receiver, as demonstrated by his postseason play. The only knock on him was his lack of heft. That's been solved. He was a skinny 260 last year. He's put on 20-lbs. of muscle in the offseason, so physically, he looks more Shockey-ish.

Add that to the fact that Eli Manning has a good rapport with him, and you can see why Shockey was expendable. I just wish the Giants would have made the deal before this year's draft, but as one source close to the team told me: The team had seven selections and didn't have the roster room for two additional rookies...so it works out.  

Second, Shockey is a selfish player. He never put the team first. He was a traditional no show at OTAs and minicamps. He was a constant huddle disruption for the Giants' offense, and he belittled and berated Manning, Coughlin, Reese and the ownership in public. You want a ticket out of NY? Embarrass the Maras and Tisches, and you'll get your ticket punched in a hurry.

My personal assessment of Shockey on the field is that he is overrated. He drops too many passes and does not get the yards after the catch to make him a true weapon. His constant "me, me, me" attitude was a distraction for Eli Manning, who thrived after Shockey's injury, so that tells you the team can prosper without him—as we have seen.

Shockey had also showed his true colors after the Super Bowl. He saw how the team won without him, so instead of working hard to get back into the fold, he began to throw fits like a child.

This may have been fueled by his controversy-hungry agent, Drew Rosenhaus, but it is Shockey that came away looking immature and selfish.

Most Giant fans know this is a team game and they also know the Giants are better off without him.

When Tiki Barber left after the 2006 season, pundits predicted the Giants were about to go downhill. Sure, they missed Tiki, but they still rushed for 2,150 yards as a team in 2007. The Giants management is a well-oiled machine right now. They are experts at contingency planning, and I don't see how they can miss the playoffs this season.

Take it from me...don't believe for one second that this team is weaker than last year.

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