Sun Herald
It's a bold move for the New Orleans Saints. Whether it was a wise one remains to be seen.
The Saints, desperate to land a top-flight tight end, traded for disgruntled New York Giants star Jeremy Shockey on Monday, giving up second- and fifth-round picks in next year's NFL draft.
On the plus side, Shockey could be the reliable target the Saints could use in their red-zone offense, the versatile receiver who doesn't mind getting his nose dirty with his blocking.
By the same token, it's no secret Shockey brings considerable baggage to New Orleans. He was a malcontent when the Giants put together their amazing run to the Super Bowl, an injured player in self-imposed exile.
Maybe a change of scenery will give him a fresh perspective.
Maybe he's just an ingrate, a guy who puts himself before everything else. He's never been portrayed as much of a teammate, and the Giants clearly didn't miss him after he was injured.
Shockey gets plenty of play in the New York tabloids and has been known to throw tantrums when he doesn't get his way. Yet Saints coach Sean Payton believes in the guy, from his time with the Giants.
Maybe Payton can keep the guy in line.
Maybe he's the second coming of Kyle Turley.
Turley played with a mean streak and combined with Willie Roaf to give the Saints one of the NFL's most effective tandems at offensive tackle. But he was a cancer in the locker room.
Turley almost single-handedly cost the Saints a game in 2001, when he ripped the helmet off a New York Jets defender and hurled it halfway to Poydras Street, drawing two 15-yard penalties in the process of a low-scoring game.
Shockey has made his share of headlines with boorish comments, but he has also been an effective player for most of his NFL career.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees has lacked a big-time tight end, a weakness that has hurt the team in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Shockey is handsomely paid and will get the chance to work on his image in New Orleans.
It's a calculated risk, to be sure.
The Saints can only hope Jeremy Shockey is worth it.
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