Strahan, Shockey and Diehl Updates
A major question that continues to loom over the Giants off season is if 36 year old future hall of fame defensive end Michael Strahan will retire. Strahan considered retiring prior to last season, but returned to play a key role for the Giants as they won the Super Bowl.  It seems like everyone who is close to #92 has a different opinion on if he will be back in blue for the 2008 season.  Â
- SI.com’s Peter King reported yesterday that he gets the feeling Strahan will announce his retirement shortly. King claims Strahan told him the only reason he was still playing was to get a ring, and that he has a studio job lined up with FOX Television as soon as he retires. Note: Peter King ranked the Giants the sixth best team in the NFL and second behind Dallas in the NFC. Although he lives in Jersey, he continues to disrespect the champs who he claims “got hot at the right time.”Â
- Fellow Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora said of Strahan’s status, “I talked to him after the season and I thought he was going to retire. I talked to him a month ago and I thought he was coming back. Then I talked to him maybe a week ago and I thought he was going to retire.  It just changes day to day with Michael.”Â
- The well dressed Amani Toomer told Ralph Vacchaino of the New York Daily News, “Oh no question, I think he’ll be a member (of the 2008 Giants). I think he loves the fact that he’s Michael Strahan.  I think he loves the fact that he’s playing and doing what he wants to do. He loves hanging around with the guys. I think it’s going to be a hard transition. But I think it is going to be one of those things that when you know you’re done it becomes a pretty easy decision and for him to be toiling over it I think that says something right there.”     Â
Every Giants fan out there hopes that Strahan returns for the 2008 season. Last season, he got better and better as the year went along, and there is no doubt Strahan has a lot of football left in him. He was dominant in the playoffs and a force to be reckoned with in the Super Bowl, tormenting the Patriots offensive line, and relentlessly putting pressure on Tom Brady. Big Mike, don’t hang up the spikes just yet, come back and help the GMen defend the Lombardi Trophy.Â
Note: According to multiple sources, the Saints are not done trying to acquire Jeremy Shockey from the Giants. This is a story that will not go away it seems. Sean Payton has loved Shockey since his days as Giants offensive coordinator and it seems that he feels the adding him would make the Saints a true contender next season. I thought this story would go away after Shockey was not traded during the draft, but it seems the Saints are obsessed with the idea of getting a play making tight end. Now the rumor is the Saints are putting out feelers to see what combination of players and 2009 draft picks it would take to pry Shockey from the Giants.  Personally I expect Shockey to be starting for the GMen in 2008. Â
- Update: However, ESPN’s Pat Yasinskas and FOXSports.com both believe Shockey will be a Saint before the start of training camp. Both report that he wants out of New York and Sean Payton has told those close to the team that the Saints will make a big offer to get a deal done. Â
Finally there is some actual Giants news!
- The Giants have signed David Diehl to a contract extension which will pay him more like a left tackle. The contract is for six years and $31 million dollars, and is contingent on him playing left tackle. There are annual escalators each season as long as he continues to play offensive tackle. This contract was signed before the draft, but was kept from the public until today. Congratulations Diehl, keep up the good work on Eli’s blindside!Â
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43 Responses to “Strahan, Shockey and Diehl Updates”
May 6th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
The Saints should have made an offer during the draft. I thought after the draft was said and done, we could put all this behind us and focus on the season. Now we’re distracted by rumors that “Shockey wants out of NY”, do these rumors have any validity? Someone give me some info on where Jshock has said he wants out! If its not out there, its probally just ESPN just creating drama!
May 6th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I really hope big Mike comes back. He’s not done yet, he can still produce. Until he stops producing, he should keep tormenting QB’s. That seat at Fox is gonna be available when he gets done, whether its this year, next year, or several years down the road. Just hoping he dont jump over the fence to see how green that pasture is just yet.
May 6th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
the giants just signed david diehl to a new 6 year $31 million contract. he is two years into a contract that ends in 2011 so i’m not sure if this goes two years beyond that but the contract has him being paid more as long as he is playing at tackle.
May 6th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Trade Shockey for a 2nd round pick next year and one of their young defensive players. Let Strahan retire if that’s what he wants. I love Strahan, but this offseason deliberation every year is getting annoying. Let’s just focus on our young group of players. They are the future of our great franchise.
May 6th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
this off season deliberation is annoying because everyone keeps talking about it. i thinks is obvious that we won’t hear a strahan decision until august. until then everyone can speculate or just deal with the fact that he probably doesn’t want to go through the grind of training camp and he will be in his 17th year in the nfl and for the gmen. is it right? well when your talking about the 16 year vet that played all for big blue, well damn let him do his thing, he gets a pass
May 6th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I agree with NYG86 on the Strahan issue. I think for Shockey we need a 2nd round pick next year and a TE this year. If Boss goes down we would have depth trouble.
May 6th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
wow, so i guess they feel diel is the LT of the furture. he did well last season but i’m still surprised…thought they would move him back to guard eventually.
May 6th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Did strahan have to pay those fines last year for missing most of camp?? never heard anything on the subject after he finally showed up. I agree, he gets a pass after being a giant for 16 years but you have to set a precedent or all your veterans are gonna start showing up at the beginning of the season.
May 6th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
DOC - I think that the fines on Strahan were waived upon his return to camp. The front office already knows not to expect to see Strahan until August, if at all this year.
May 6th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Here’s your Strahan solution: Give players with 12 years experience with the franchise a bonus for attending training camp. Write it into a new deal. Salary of 2 million plus incentives, including a training camp bonus of 1 million. Basically, it is a 3 million dollar salary, but you forfeit one million if you skip camp to rest/contemplate retirement. After watching the former Mrs. Strahan walk away with so much cash, Mikey might be willing to take a few extra bumps and bruises to cash that million dollar check. If he doesn’t come, then he’s earned it by contributing to the team so long. Anyone who’s been with the team for 12 years deserves this (Toomer). If a guy doesn’t deserve this, you cut him after his 12th year. Easy.
It also may teach some younger players about team loyalty.
Obviously the numbers are illustrative and can be adjusted, but I think a million bucks is large enough to even get Strahan in camp.
It will never happen, but you have to know that almost all decisions in pro sports are made by the effect it has on your wallet.
May 6th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Regarding Shockey and TE depth, has anyone seen much of Darcy Johnson, I’ve heard some really good things about his potential. If Shockey does get traded, it might give Darcy a chance to prove what he can do. TO be honest, Boss makes me nervous on blocking, so I wouldn’t disagree with bringing a veteran TE in.
May 6th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
strahan’s rookie year was LT’s last year, thats two hall of fame careers back to back for new york giants defense. my question is who is going to be the next big blue defensive player to play out his whole career for nyg (minimum 10years) and have a shot at the hall?? may never happen again, who knows? some may say Osi, i’d say Tuck maybe, dare someone mention a DB? waddya think?
May 6th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I hope that Tuck or Osi will have a shot at being that caliber of a player if they continue to progress. Osi is off to a better start, because of his overall sack numbers, but the potential to be great is there for Tuck as well. When you think back to what defined this Super Bowl Championship team, it is the pass rushers. Osi, Tuck and Strahan.
Eli is still very young, don’t forget, and already has one ring, which is more than a lot of QBs can say. Don’t count him out of the hall if he can keep elevating his play and win a few more, which I think he is capeable of.
May 6th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
good call rich, i was focusing on defense but out of all the giants on the current roster i’d have to agree and say eli has the best shot
May 6th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
note that harry carson is hall of famer so you got..
Carson (76′-88) Taylor (81′-93′) Strahan (93′-0?) and ????? (0?-??)
May 6th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
if Osi can improve on his bull-rush and run support i think he’ll have a nice shot at getting into the Hall of Fame. Tuck might have a good shot too, if he can improve on last years numbers, and puts up even more once Strahan retires.
on offense i like three guys. Snee, though its hard to judge a guy on the offensive line when it comes to being Hall of Fame worthy. Eli, can be like a Tom Brady. good numbers year in and year out, with a couple of rings, if he the playoffs weren’t a fluke that is. the other one is Shockey. if he moves to the Saints i have no doubt he’ll be as good as Witten was last year, maybe even better. Shockey is the best overall TE in the game, and if used properly could be a Top 3 pass-catching TE every year. if we stuck with Sean Payton’s offense throughout Shockey’s whole tenure on the Giants i have no doubt he’d be a Hall of Famer.
May 6th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
i have a feeling if shockey is traded it will be for tracy porter…… the giants were eying him the saints knew that so they scooped him up for trade bait… look for it to be tracy porter and a young defensive player of late round pick next year… imagine ross, thomas, porter, webster as the giants future CB’s …i think that deal will get done and most saints fans i talked to agree with me
May 6th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I think you’re probably right MattL. I thought that originally when I saw them take Porter in the second. Of course that was before we took Thomas also. So if that was the Saints objective, it might have backfired. Wouldn’t be a bad deal, Porter and next year’s 3rd or 4th for Shockey. That’s if Reese would even be interested by Porter.
May 6th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Porter would be a great but think, the saints didnt want to give up a 1st round pick for shockey. Thats what we should get, he s a probowl TE. They waited until after the draft so I think if they make an offer, its not gonna include porter. Who knows, I say keep him, he only makes us better!
May 6th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
What about Jamal Brown? The Saints reportedly dangled him in their efforts to trade up for Dorsey. I know Shockey doesn’t have Dorsey’s upside anymore, but if Jamal Brown were available, I would think the Giants would have to pull the trigger (though that would likely make Diehl’s contract worthless).
May 6th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
If Tiki stayed for ‘07, the Hall of Fame would have been hard-pressed to keep him out. As it is right now, he’s borderline but probably not getting in.
I don’t think Shockey has much of a chance. Maybe if his production remained high like his first couple years, but as Shockey says, he’s being used differently now, and it doesn’t translate to the Hall.
Why make the trade now? The Giants will go into ‘08 weak at TE and would have missed out on the opportunity to draft a solid TE in the middle rounds for depth or even sign quality UFAs to compete for back up jobs. I’m not sold on Boss yet in either phase of the game - the guy had a handful of catches - but he does have a flair for making some big catches.
If the Saints really want Shockey, there are possibilities of course like a 1st rounder next year or a 2nd-3rd rounder next year and a solid player for this year’s club. Until this year is over and this trade can be revisited, I would rather have a pissed-off Shockey trying to impress the league and say fuck-you to his critics than the promise of a draft pick next year.
May 6th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
If the Giants can get a first round pick for Shockey, TAKE IT!!!!
May 6th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
LOL - Tiki who??
I recall how freaked out we all were last year about missing “our Tiki”. Maybe the Reese-meister will make us forget about Strahan and Shockey quickly, too!
May 6th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Shockey will be the starting TE for the NY Giants. This year’s draft is almost two weeks old. You don’t trade a bonafide weapon away for picks in a draft that are one year away. Boss is good but still unproven. Shockey will show up in Big Blue on gameday and there will be an effective spot for him in the offense.
May 6th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Shockey wants to stay and he will start when training camp starts and when season starts. Shockey my man all Giants fan luv u and u will stay. Ur the energy of the team.
May 7th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Does anyone else think that Davids contract kinda leaves the window open for Guy Whimper?
Myself I thought he’d get the start over David as I picture David more of a run blocking tackle while I see Whimper more as a true pass blocker. The Giants have addressed receiver the last two years and are gathering pieces that could lead up to more of a passing offense vs a rushing offense.
May 7th, 2008 at 4:22 am
Ok Giants fans,this is what i say.if strahan retires move kiwi back to end.Then we trade shockey to the saints for jonathan vilma and a 2nd round pick.they just got vilma for a 4th rounder.he would be a stud lb in spags system.then we can pick up depth at te after june 1st cuts. GO GMEN!!!!
May 7th, 2008 at 8:56 am
On another note, as far as Peter King picking the G-men #6, I love it. One of the things the Giants fed off last year was the lack of respect we were given.Most of the so called “experts” think last year was a bit of a fluke. Ask Marcia…I mean Tom Brady what he thinks.
http://www.myteamrivals.typepad.com/newyorkgiants
May 7th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Antonio Pierce told WFAN yesterday that he feels Michael Strahan has played his last game in the NFL.
May 7th, 2008 at 11:09 am
The Giants are better with Jeremy Shockey and it makes for interesting reading and discussion but get ready to chear again for him next year. Thank you Michael Strahan for playing last year at such a high level, we will live with your decision and when you sail off Mr. Tuck will be ready to step right in.
May 7th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Paul, my thoughts exactly. Vilma would be a stud in spags D. Only problem is we would still need TE depth if we loose Shock. While vilma would be nice, I would rather see if Wilkinson has anything and keep Jshock.
May 7th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I am amazed how people can say we will forget about are great players. Strahan is a once in a generation athlete. The only d lineman I can even compare who played at such a high level for so long would be Reggie White. I know people are goint to throw stats at me, I dont care. Strahan plays the run better than or as good as any end in the league. His pass rushing skills are tremendous.
Without Strahan last year we dont win the Super Bowl. Hey Mike I hope ypu play 3 more years.
May 7th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Anyone hear Antonio Pierce on Howard Stern today? He was working as an “intern.” Funny stuff. He was a good sport as the staff sort of hazed him.
May 7th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I don’t know enough in-depth info on Strahan’s situation, but I think we lose some serious depth at our infamous pass rush without him.
I can’t imagine him retiring here. Many players have been on the fence in the past. Many have come back and succeeded, many have come back and failed. Many have also retired and regretted it. Keep in mind that players on the fence know they still have the ability to compete.
Strahan still have tons to offer to our defense. There may be many factors that is keeping him leaning towards retirement, especially if all he really wanted at the end was a ring. I believe Strahan will be back.
Shockey will return too. LA Giant hit it spot on. You don’t trade a bona fide pro bowl caliber TE for picks a year away when you already have little depth at that position. They will both be back this season. I just can’t wait for it to start.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Shockey ain’t goin’ nowhere,Shockey is a NY.Giant
4 Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG-Men!!!!!!!!!
May 8th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Strahan is great and all but he’s nowhere near in the same league as Reggie White. It pains me to say this but I lived in Philadelphia during Reggie’s prime and he would routinely just take over a game like no one I’ve seen since the heyday of LT. They’d line him up at tackle, at RDE, at LDE and the other teams couldn’t stop him. During a Dallas game, he was triple teamed and he clobbered Aikman after shoving aside the O line. That said, the Gs are a much better team with Strahan than without. He gives the defense that little extra incentive along the lines of “if an old timer like me can still bring it, what’s up with you?” They may be set along the D line without him but they definitely do need him.
May 8th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
It may be unfair to compare Strahan to Reggie White, but it can’t be denied…Strahan is the real deal! While I have a lot of faith in Justin Tuck, I REALLY want Strahan back this year! If he decides to move on….thanks for the memories!!!
http://www.myteamrivals.typepad.com/newyorkgiants
May 8th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I agree Reggie White was the most dominant lineman Ive ever seen. The whole gang green defensive line was unbelivable.
May 9th, 2008 at 6:21 am
gang green blows, that counts for the eagles and the jets. in no way do we support philly here and i think strahan is awfully close to RW
May 9th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Not to change the subject with Strahan but it lookes like the giants don’t care about tiki and his number 21. Kenny Phillips will wear #21
Phillips #21
Thomas #30
Manningham #82
Kehl #53
Goff #94
Woodson #3
May 9th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
i would take a de from the saints and 2nd rounder for shockey if strahan retires. what do u guys think
May 9th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
BigB wrecking crew listen hear you mental midget.
I hope ur kidding. Its people like you who cant look at things from more than one angle, who are ruining this country. Oh so Brian Westbrock must suck,
because hes an eagle, u need to grow up.
Top Ten Things BigB wrecking crew says at dinner.
1. WE should nuke all the Arabs.
2. Im so glad we invaded Iraq because thats were Osama Bin Laden lives.
3. Why are the potatoes cold bitch.
4. I thought the last Matrix was the best one.
5. Im voting for Obama because hes going to change everything.
You guys can finish the last 5. I just dont like when one idiot speaks for everyone on the site. You defintely dont speak for me you sheep.
May 10th, 2008 at 12:43 am
I think if Shockey wants out let him.Eli played much better without him anyway.I hope Reese gets the #1 pick rumored and the 4th rd or 2nd depending on Shockeys performance.I think Boss will come along and do well.I mean Shockeys a better te right now but theres i no doubt if the Giants keep him he will cause trouble,plus he wants a new contract.It has all the pieces for a major explosion.Get him out now cut ur ties with Shockey and let Boss get comfortable and work on his game before the season starts.
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