Giving the Shockey

Jeremy Shockey: Thinking Bill Parcells is a homo since 2003

Two days, two trades, two dramatic sea changes in the NFC East.

It's going to be a very intriguing year.

A day after the Washington Redskins traded for electric sex defensive end Jason Taylor, the New York Giants traded cocky tight end Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints for a second- and fifth-round 2009 draft pick.

It's said that the key to the Giants winning the Super Bowl was Shockey fracturing a fibula in December and missing the rest of the season. He was such a cancer and nuisance on the sidelines and in the huddles that it improved the attitude and demeanor to the point of becoming a Super Bowl team. It's said he was Eli Manning's kryptonite and that the quarterback never turns the corner with Shockey in a uniform.

It seemed there were no more bridges to burn.

Like him or not, Shockey was an extremely productive tight end who drove defenses nuts. He could also disappear for games at a time. Shockey's departure leaves a gigantic hole in the Giants' offense. As much as everyone was impressed with rookie Kevin Boss' production late, he he has nine career receptions and four receptions in five postseason games.

And he's the vet.

The good news is that the Giants are one less playmaker come the start of the season. The better news for Cowboys fans is that he's in another division.

Shockey was a Cowboy killer. In 2007, he had 17 catches and 170 yards in two games against the Cowboys. He abused Cowboys linebackers and safeties almost every time he took the field. It was an unfair match-up that the Cowboys hardly ever won.

The real winner (outside of the NFC East) is the New Orleans Saints. If he needs anything, Drew Brees needs a running game and tight end. He could have me as a receiver and it wouldn't make any difference. But if you have Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush and Shockey, the little guy's set. Plus, Shockey and head coach Sean Payton are connected from the latter's Giant days.

Not that the Saints are unbeatable, but when you're chasing the Tampa Bay Bucs, even the smallest improvement will make a difference.