Faceoff - TE Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints

Posted 6/24, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Upside - by Jeff Haseley

Last year Jeremy Shockey had 50 receptions for the Saints...

• in only 12 games
• after coming off a broken leg the season prior
• in his first year playing in a new offense that he himself said he didn't and still doesn't fully know
• despite missing most of training camp with his new team due to a sports hernia injury he suffered in camp
• despite making the wrong decision of trying to play through his sports hernia injury, which resulted in in-season surgery
• despite coming back too soon after having the surgery
• despite not having good on-field chemistry with QB Drew Brees

Considering all of the turmoil and adversity he went through in 2008, those numbers are actually quite impressive. The Saints had 110 receptions to TEs last year, which was tops in the league. Shockey and teammate Billy Miller combined for 95 of those 110 receptions. Miller was on the field with Shockey in 11 games in 2008 and only bested him in receptions in three of those 11 games.

The early word out of New Orleans is that Shockey is focused on forgetting last year and getting acquainted with QB Drew Brees and Head Coach Sean Payton's offense. He has not participated in any voluntary practices in his seven years in the league, but proclaims he will do so this year. In fact, he is slated to attend the final eight OTAs leading up to training camp. He will have the opportunity to really learn and grasp the offense in training camp and preseason, which is something he wasn't able to do at all last year.

A quote from Shockey - "I think everyone knows I'm here to try to help this team win. I'm not here to sell jerseys or anything like that. I'll have the time this year to show people I'm healthy and different from last year."

Fantasy speaking - In his first six years in the league, Shockey never finished lower than the 11th ranked TE. When healthy, he is capable of being a standout TE and an every-week fantasy starter. According to his agent Drew Rosenhaus, he is 100 percent healthy. If he returns to form, while playing for a highly proficient offense, there is no reason to doubt that Shockey won't finish in the Top 10 once again. He represents great value with an ADP of 137, TE13. If you see Shockey on the board in Round 11 or later (in 12-round redraft leagues), grab him.

Downside - by Jeff Tefertiller

Jeremy Shockey is a player that is an enigma to most fans and fantasy owners. Shockey was awesome earlier in his career after being drafted with the fourteenth pick overall in 2002. The former Miami Hurricane finished as the TE3 his first season in the league. He was an elite tight end for five seasons in the New York. Jeremy Shockey wore out his welcome in the Big Apple by holding out and not getting along with coaches and the front office. His discordant attitude and numerous injuries made him disposable for the Giants. After finally having enough of the distraction, the Giants found a willing trade partner and moved the veteran tight end to New Orleans. Looking back on the deal, the Saints gave up too much. They are now seeing why the Giants were eager to trade the former All Pro tight end. Now with the Saints, Shockey has another golden opportunity to showcase his skills. The high-powered Saint offense would give the veteran ample opportunity to have a bounce-back season if Shockey can keep from being a distraction. If the last couple of seasons are any indication, this will prove difficult. The incident in Las Vegas only shows that Shockey has little desire to keep his name out of the papers. The coaches were not happy with the issue and have temporarily demoted its starting tight end. Billy Miller gives the Saints another option at the tight end position in case Shockey becomes the Shockey in New York. Miller outproduced Shockey last season and could do so again. The Saints have a cache of weapons at Brees' disposal. With receivers Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, and Robert Meachem, to go with running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, Brees has many options other than Shockey. He has little upside in an offense with such a strong arsenal. Drew Brees does not have to rely on Shockey the way the Giant passers needed to. He is merely just another weapon. Considering the off the field issues, the bad attitude, the numerous injuries, and everything else, there is little reason to take the chance on Shockey when there are other tight ends that are a focal point of their teams' offenses.