Two of the more enjoyable things to do, as a football fan is to play fantasy football and talk about trades. Trades are always rumored. We hear about them on TV sports shows, we talk about them on radio talk shows and yes we even chat about them on the Bruno Boys Forums. As you can see, trades are addicting. We love to talk about how we can make our favorite teams better. The reality is they don't usually happen, especially ones that can make a major impact for both parties. Impact meaning for the teams involved and of course the fantasy teams that we take so much pride in building.
However, an impact trade did happen this week. The defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants traded four time pro bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints in return for draft picks. The Giants will receive the Saints 2nd and 5th round picks in the 2009 draft, unless Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma plays at least 85 percent of the defensive snaps for New Orleans in 2008. If this is the case, the New York Jets (Vilma's old team) would then receive the Saints second round pick in 2009 as compensation for the trade that sent Vilma to the Big Easy in February. Then the Giants would get the Saints first round pick in 2009 instead of the 2nd and 5th. You better believe the Giants fans are hoping that Vilma stays healthy for 16 games and they can score a 1st rounder when it is all said and done.
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Fantasy Impact - New Orleans Saints
The Saints appear to be heading up the ranks of the NFC and this is a trade that even if it becomes a first round pick seems to be a move the Saints had to make. They are going for it right now. They see their window of opportunity to get to the top of their sport and they are trying to cease it. They were a 7-9 team last season and scored 379 pts. The offense features the likes of pro bowl quarterback Drew Brees, a Heisman Trophy winner in running back Reggie Bush and a star receiver in Marques Colston.
A healthy and happy Jeremy Shockey can help put this offense over the top, especially for us fantasy football junkies. He could give the team the number one tight end they have been looking for and has the talent to help make the Saints high powered and potent offense, even better. He not only can help Brees and Colston in the passing game, his prescence should open up the running game for Bush and hopefully a healthy Deuce McAllister. Which could lead to more points for our fantasy teams!
Although the addition of Shockey puts an end to his fantasy value, Eric Johnson becomes a nice backup for the Saints, as he hauled in 48 catches for 378 yards and 2 touchdowns last year. The team also has Billy Miller and Mark Campbell (although one of the the backups will likely be cut) as blocking tight ends, so Shockey's role as a run blocking tight end should diminish in New Orleans..
Reuniting Shockey with the Saints Head Coach Sean Payton is also a key to this move. Peyton was the Giants Offensive Coordinator when Shockey was Rookie of the Year in 2002. In fact, that was the season that Shockey hauled in career highs in receptions (74) and receiving yards (894).
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Fantasy Impact - New York Giants
This is definitely a trade the Giants had to make. Shockey was obviously disgruntled and did not want to be part of this team. Things were so bad between this player and the team that Shockey was not even on the sidelines during the teams Super Bowl victory (although he wanted to be, but was told no). He was sitting in a suite, drinking his cocktails, instead of being as close as he could to the teammates that he had battled with for years, a team that was reaching its ultimate glory. Shockey decided not to attend the team's championship parade, ring ceremony or trip to the White House. As years grew, Shckey was a guy who for one reason or another did not feel, or want to be part of this team.
Reportedly he chewed out Giants general manager Jerry Reese at the teams June minicamp. He has called out his coach and seemed to have a love-hate relationship with Super Bowl MVP quarterback Eli Manning. It seems doubtful that either head coach Tom Coughlin or Manning are going to be sad not to have to answer continuous questions about Shockey anymore.
From a fantasy football standpoint, there shouldn't be much change with the Giants offense. Manning is still going to be brilliant at times and make you pull your hair out at times and wide receiver Plaxico Burress always has the potential to put up big numbers, with or without Shockey attracting attention from opposing defenses. Starting running back Brandon Jacobs will still be able to find the open hole and build on his 2007 showing, in which he averaged 5.0 yards per carry, but missed action due to injuries. Kevin Boss appears to be the frontrunner to take over the Giants number one tight end spot. He filled in nicely for the Shockey last season, especially in the Super Bowl, as he hauled in a 45 yard reception. From a fantasy standpoint, he should be targeted as backup in a league that requires you draft two tight ends, but will best be used as a bye week fill-in.
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Bruno Boys Final Thoughts:
In a league where impact trades seem to be rare, this one appears to be a good one for both the teams and us fantasy football owners. If healthy the Saints get a number one pass catching tight end that made four Pro Bowls in his first five seasons, who also has already flourished in Sean Payton's system. Obviously keep checking in with the Bruno Boys as your draft approaches to make sure that Shockey is indeed healthy and happy. If he is, it appears Shockey will move back into the upper tier of tight ends in the fantasy world and might be worth a top six or seven pick at the position on fantasy draft day. Plus he adds value to the rest of the Saints offensive fantasy stars.
For the Giants it is simple addition by subtraction. They are no worse without him (and they won a Super Bowl without him) and having him out of New York is comparable to taking a GIANT aspirin for the entire Giants locker room.
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