First of all, Shockey is not a head case.
That's how he is portrated on sportscenter.... I'd gather that's the extent of most people's knowledge on that, to be honest. He's an arrogant person. He also burned a LOT of media bridges when he was a rookie. That is not a good idea in NY - so of COURSE they want to make him into someone like TO. He ain't anything like that and hasn't ever been.
He's overconfident - and there ain't nothing wrong with that. The BIGGEST mistake started when he called Parcells a 'f\*g' (which I thought was awesome as a competitor - he went way over the line, though) and then Fassell put the gag order on him. Shockey NEEDS to open his jaw. The team feeds off of that. Crap, he's made average plays and his helmet would fly off and he'd get all WWF and the crowd and team would go nuts. He's a heluva ball player. Top 10 TEs in the NFL, easy. Top 5, likely. The team loves that guy - and since he was told to not be himself, he hasn't been. He's been a non-factor, really, and it's a HUGE mistake. I can't think of one great team that didn't have a money tight end... Aside from Wiggins in New England - but he's become serviceable over time in Minn.
Shockey is no head case, though. Again, that's the sensationalist bullshit you see on sportscenter and listen to Sean Salisbury yap about - football is more than a soundbite you hear. It's the game you watch and all the reporting behind it - but more importantly, the HISTORY behind the action. It's taken ALL wrong. If you noticed, when Shockey is yappin and pumping up the team -they are MUCH better. I still don't think he's been the same, though, since he was gagged. I thought it was dumb then and I think it's dumb now. He should be the focal point of the passing attack as he's the ONLY wide out the Giants have right now with any heart. Plaxico has no heart, Carter? mostly a bumb. Moss? Will he ever play? Toomer being done for the year is more devastating than most people think - he's a class act solid pro receiver.
As for Tiki - the guy is World Class as a player. As a leader? He's been a cancer to the Giants for a LONG time. I always thought it was Strahan that was the cancer (the O and D have been at odds on again/off again for years and years and years) - and seeing what Tiki was saying was WAY out of line and brings out WHY he is a cancer on that team. He doesn't care about the team. He complains he isn't getting the ball - but when you looked at his runs. Hmm, 1st and 10 - 1 yard run. 2nd and 9 and he wants the ball? Are you nuts? Tiki was a better back when that line wasn't as good, for some reason. But after all that, the guy should shut his mouth up - he really really really hurt his team this week by being a primadona - but that's not really anything new to him. He's subtely been doing that for years... He's got great
PR, I'll give him that.
But back to the Giants. To be honest, if I was Eli, I'd play Mike Vick or throw it to Shockey or throw it away. How many times in the last 2 years has a Giant (save Toomer and Shockey) even ATTEMPTED to try and keep a defender from intercepting the ball? None. How many Giant receivers actually try to make a tough play on the ball and put their body in harms way? (save Shockey and Toomer) None.
Look - Eli is struggling, but if you see how he is struggling, it's a combination of jackass wideouts that think they should have everything given to them. Plax has all-pro talent but plays like a skirt. Carter is just inconsistent and makes horrible plays. The other problem is losing "the penalty man" Petitgout. I get on him often, he takes WAY too many penalties - but I have to admit, he was having a career year this season, IMO. You don't lose a left tackle and get better.
How's Denver doing since they lost Matt Lepsis? How did Green Bay fair in the weeks Chad Clifton was out? (I know they suck, but they weren't as crappy when he was playing aside from the Chi and NE games)
The bottom line is the Giants have a HUGE chemistry problem that is not under control. That's part Tiki's problem, since he's the senior stud on the team that's active right now and that's on the coach, also... But the guys around them have to be held accountable.
If the Giants want to win, it's gotta start with Shockey getting 7-8 grabs/game... Tiki will be MUCH better then, Eli will have much better stats then - and Plaxico will have more room down the sidelines to push off and make a sick grab.
I'm still torn on this game, but I'm still leaning Giants - although - after watching Vince Young versus Philly - the kid is a REAL nice player. I was wrong. It was the right move to start him. He's good enough to play right now... And Henry has been playing lights out for the first time in 2 years. Also, Tenn's D is coming around nicely. Solid, at worst.