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Saints Get Shockey From Giants For 2 Draft Picks In '09

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 22, 2008

Updated: 07/22/2008 12:12 am

NEW ORLEANS - Jeremy Shockey was traded to the Saints for two draft picks Monday, giving New Orleans a disgruntled star tight end who watched from afar while injured as the New York Giants surged to the Super Bowl title.

The Giants will get second- and fifth-round picks in the 2009 draft. The deal must be approved by the league and is contingent on Shockey passing a physical.

The deal reunites Shockey with Saints coach Sean Payton, who was the Giants' offensive coordinator in 2002, when Shockey was Rookie of the Year.

"I have had a relationship with Coach Payton and I appreciate what he has done as a head coach," Shockey said in a statement released by the Saints. "The Saints have a lot of weapons starting with Drew Brees and I look forward to joining my teammates at training camp. This will be a fun year."

The Saints report to training camp in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday.

Shockey, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who spent six seasons with the Giants, broke his leg against the Washington Redskins on Dec. 16.

He is known for his offensive ability more than his blocking, and was unhappy even before the injury - he was asked to block in addition to catch. Once hurt, he didn't like the fact that much was made of the Giants winning with rookie Kevin Boss in his place.

The Giants, a proven winner without Shockey in the lineup, cut ties with a player who provided plenty of excitement on the field and plenty of distractions off it - once throwing a cup of ice in the stands during a playoff game in San Francisco, criticizing Giants fans for leaving a game early, blaming Giants coach Tom Coughlin's staff for a loss in 2006 or skipping voluntary team workouts in favor an offseason program run by his agent.

The Giants also unload the remainder of a five-year, $31.2 million contract extension that Shockey signed in 2005.

BEARS: Linebacker Brian Urlacher reportedly has agreed to a contract extension through the 2012 season.

The Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times reported that the extension is worth $18 million, including a $6 million signing bonus. The Bears declined to confirm the deal.

BENGALS: Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson said he'll report on time for training camp this weekend, but his surgically repaired ankle will probably prevent him from fully participating.

Johnson also said in a phone interview Monday that he wants to move on from his failed attempt to maneuver a trade.

JETS: Placed disgruntled tight end Chris Baker on the active-physically unable to perform list.

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