Shockey has to shape up, or be shipped out

No matter how GM Jerry Reese and Coach Tom Coughlin want to spin it, the Giants tried to trade talented but mercurial tight end Jeremy Shockey over the weekend.

No question: Shockey is extremely talented, and you can make the case that he hasn't been utilized as much as he or Giants fans might have liked during his career.

Here's another fact: Whether he blames it on intensity or a desire to win, Shockey's outspoken behavior has at times rubbed management the wrong way. IT DEFINITELY rubbed Eli Manning the wrong way. Shockey and Tiki Barber were clearly not in Manning's corner during his early years with the Giants. But anybody notice that Elijah seemed to morph into an efficient QB once Shockey's season ended last December with a broken leg?

Other disturbing things of note: Jeremy was in a box, beer next to him, during Big Blue's Super Bowl win of over the Patriots in February. I realize he had a broken leg, but could it have killed Jeremy to be with the team on the sideline as they won the biggest Super Bowl ever? Phil Simms hated missing Super Bowl XXV in 1991. But there he was, next to Bill Parcells as Jeff Hostetler led Big Blue to a 20-19 win over Buffalo.

Once again, Shockey missed off-season conditioning camps a few weeks back, deciding instead to rehab (again) at the University of Miami. You'd think that Shockey would have long ago realized, "Hey, Eli is the man. I have to be on the same page with him." That's never been truer than right NOW. Coughlin and Manning, once targets of the fans, are the fair-haired boys of the city. Winning a Super Bowl will do that. Winning a Super Bowl MVP like Manning did—no matter how much David Tyree and the defense did to make it possible—makes the club CLEARLY Eli's team. Shockey didn't care enough to be on the sideline when the team won a title. I guess it won't bother him if Manning says, "Hey Jeremy, no more BS. It's MY way or the highway."

Perhaps it won't come to that. But Shockey's continued presence on the Giants is up to him, NOT the Giants. Shockey has bypassed every chance to get on the team and Manning's good side. That better change. The fact that Manning and the team did do well without Shockey tells me that I have no problem dealing him-even for less than expected value. Eli seems like a calm, levelheaded guy (WE LOVE that now, right Giant fans?) and as long as he's producing for you (and even 1 Super Bowl cuts a lot of slack) keeping your QB happy is a top priority. Kevin Boss may not be mistaken for Jay Noavcek or Kellen Winslow, but starting with the regular season finale against the Patriots, Boss made some timely catches and got open when needed. Plus, you never heard a peep out of him. Until he shows otherwise, you can't say that about Jeremy Shockey. Talent is great, but team unity is more important, especially coming off a stunning Super Bowl victory. Staying focused after all the off-season distractions is tough. The question is: Will Shockey decide to be part of the problem? We'll see.