Quote:
Originally Posted by cruzg24
Yea he's a gamer alright, but don't you think its ironic that Eli was more comfortable in the huddle and with his offense when Shockey wasn't there? I think we're a better team with Shockey, but he needs to realize that Eli is the leader of this team now and that Eli isn't trying to show him up by not throwing it to him every play.
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I think it is a misconception that the Giants "got better" because of Shockey getting hurt. There is no way you can lose Pro Bowl talent and get better. Eli had a bad game against the Bills the week after Shockey got hurt, with 2 picks and 5 fumbles (two lost). Something sparked inside him during that Week 17 Patriots game, and he got confidence that he could compete with the best teams. Shockey had the one big game against Dallas (which the Giants lost), but also had plenty of key receptions in earlier victories during the season. He did tend to complain on incomplete passes not thrown his way, but really, if you have Jeremy Shockey open, why wouldn't you want to put the ball in his hands? It was really Eli protecting the ball that made him play better, not losing his star tight end.
As for Burress, he couldn't have come up bigger last year. He missed practice practically every week of the season and still showed up on game day. I gotta respect the guy for that because at times you knew he wasn't running full speed and still blowing by defenders.