Burress: Giants need Shockey

Bloomberg News Service

Published July 9, 2008 at 9:52 a.m.
Updated July 9, 2008 at 9:52 a.m.

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NEW YORK — The New York Giants are a better football team with tight end Jeremy Shockey, wide receiver Plaxico Burress says.

Shockey was the subject of offseason trade talk after Kevin Boss’ performance in place of the injured former first-round draft pick during the Giants’ run to the Super Bowl championship. An attempt by the Giants to trade the 27-year-old Shockey to New Orleans during the NFL draft in April failed.

“People say we’re better off without him,” Burress, 30, said in an interview with Bloomberg Radio’s “On the Ball” program. “I say those people don’t know the game of football, how hard this guy goes out and competes every Sunday.”

Burress, who caught the winning touchdown with 35 seconds remaining in the Super Bowl as the Giants upset the unbeaten New England Patriots 17-14, said, “I want him around. He’s one of the main reasons I came to New York.”

Shockey, who caught 57 passes last season, broke his left leg against Washington on Dec. 16 and missed the Giants’ title run. Boss replaced him and caught five passes for 90 yards during the playoffs, including a 45-yard pass on one of New York’s touchdown drives in the Super bowl.

“For a guy of his stature that likes to go out and compete on a week-in, week-out basis, it was sad for him not to be a part of that,” Burress said. “If you know him like I do, you know he wanted to be a part of it.”

At the Giants’ minicamp last month, Shockey was held out of practice sessions as he continued to rehabilitate his injury. Coach Tom Coughlin said he’s the No. 1 tight end on the team’s depth chart heading into training camp.

“I can’t speak for ownership and I can’t speak for anyone upstairs,” Burress said. “I can speak as a friend and teammate and I want him around.”

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