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Mini camp has not been all smiles for the Giants. First we had Plaxico Burress stating that he may hold out because he wants a contract extension and more money added onto his contract and now we have Jeremy Shockey in a fight with the front office.

At mini camp last week Jeremy Shockey and Jerry Reese got into a shouting match. No one knows what was exactly said, but we do know what Jeremy Shockey's agent Drew Rosenhaus had to say on whether or not Jeremy Shockey wanted to remain a Giant.

“I don’t specifically have a way to address that at this time because Jeremy’s been very adamant about avoiding any public discussion about a situation. The best thing I can say about Jeremy’s situation is that we are talking to the team about some of the issues that exist and we hope to get that resolved.”

...Speculation says that Shockey was upset that the team would not allow him on the sidelines during the Super Bowl and that they were spreading rumors that he was upset with the organization and that he wanted to be traded from the team that drafted him.

It's hard to take a side because if they did indeed spread rumors you could see why Shockey was pissed. Not only were they trying to get rid of him, but they turned the fans on him and made them feel that a rookie tight end would help this team more than one of the best and most talented tight ends in the league.

If a trade wasn't going to happen one may now, but we will see how things play out.

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The last memory we have of Plaxico Burress is a good one and that is of course the game winning Super Bowl catch against the Patriots. That catch capped of the perfect season and a great season for Plaxico himself. Each and every week he skipped practice and each and every week he came out and performed with a final season of 70 receptions, 1,000+ yards, and 12 TD catches with almost 15 yards per catch.

With the accumulation of his great season and spikes in prices for receivers Plax is not satisfied with his current contract status. At today's mandatory mini camp everyone showed up including Jeremy Shockey who was rumored to be skipping out and so did Plax, but he did not participate in any drills.

According to Plaxico he is not happy with his contract at all and demands he gets more money and more years added onto his contract.

This is a very similar case to the one the Jets had with Coles. He is not being a prick about the way he is going about it and ESPN has some stats to back up Plaxico's case.

By current standards, Burress is being underpaid. Terrell Owens of Dallas and Randy Moss of New England recently signed three-year contracts for $27 million, while Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals got a four-year, $40 million contract with a $30 million guarantee.
Burress and Eli Manning have combined for 29 touchdown catches since 2005, the most by a receiver-quarterback tandem in the league during that time.

If you are the Giants you are eventually going to have to give in. He is on of the top wide receivers in the league, still performing at a high level, and can lead for example to newly drafted Mario Manningham. Plus if you take Plax at of the loop what do you have? Toomer, Tyree, and Smith? It is plausible, but it will not get you to the Super Bowl any time soon.

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ESPN just reported the the New Orleans Saints have contacted the Giants about a trade for Jeremy Shockey. There is not much more to report about this right now because it is a developing story. I am not sure this would upset me too much. Saints I have to admit are my 2nd favorite team so him going there wouldn't hurt, but Kevin Boss is the real reason I wouldn't mind. Even with his attitude problems Shockey is one of the best tight ends in the NFL. Shockey is a former 1st round pick out of University of Maimi(FL) while Kevin Boss is a 5th round pick out of Western Oregon. Like everyone says Boss DOES fit the Giants team better than Shockey. Boss is a much better blocker and almost as good at catching and running with the ball. Stay tuned on what will happen what this deal. Both teams definitely have the motivation to make a deal so there is no reason why a deal won't get done. Remember when everyone had to get their Shockey jersey and how he was the "hottest" thing? Boy times have changed.

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NY Daily News:
Rosenhaus did say that both Shockey (broken leg) and Burress (sprained ankle, knee) are “doing great. Plax is feeling great. Jeremy had surgery. He’s out of the boot. He’s walking. He’s been cleared by Doctor (Robert) Anderson. He’ll be ready to go for the offseason program.”

The offseason program, by the way, begins on March 31. Shockey may be ready by then, but he’s not expected to attend.

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Apparently all of the Giants want new contracts now that they have won the Super Bowl. I mentioned earlier that Plaxico Burress had been seeking more money well now Osi Umenyiora seems to want an extension on his $40 million dollar contract through 2012. The Giants are also going to cut R.W. McQuarters and William Joseph. Lastly the Giants are still showing interest in Seattle's Marcus Trufant and Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha. If they were to get either they would lose this year and next years pick.

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