Otherwise, despite my fondness for Howard Cross and his long tenure with the Giants, I would have to go with the guys who out of nowhere helped us win our last Super Bowls -- Boss first and then Ballard.
What I don't understand about Shockey is that he had the skill and the attitude, yet he was never as good as he could have been. Still loved the guy, especially in his rookie season.
was a thing of beauty. He was insanely fast YAC for a tight end.
Man I wish I could find it...there's a clip on Youtube somewhere of Giants vs (I think?) Colts and it has some Shockey clips that are amazing. He flies through defenders toward the endzone.
You can't just blame it on his attitude. He was severely affected by injuries throughout his career. And for a guy who was a fierce competitor, I'm sure it killed him.
However, it would be hard to find a more juvenile, jerk. He could have been a great one if he had let someone on the Giants guide him, but he didn't. So I guess you have to add stupid to the list.
re-read the OP. AFTER BAVARO. No one's overlooking him, because he's outside the very clear parameters.
Shockey
Bennett
Cross
Pete Mitchell
Visante Shiancoe (too bad we didn't find ways to get him and Shockey on the field together more often. once he got his shot, he really blossomed in Minny)
I always envisioned and even proclaimed that shockey would be the one catching that Eli to Tyree pass in the Super Bowl. But tyree will do just fine...
I was certain that shockey would retire as a NYG legend. Loved his fire and talent and I still think things could have and should have been different here if the right coach and QB were directing #80 throughout his career here. Oh well...
was a thing of beauty. He was insanely fast YAC for a tight end.
Man I wish I could find it...there's a clip on Youtube somewhere of Giants vs (I think?) Colts and it has some Shockey clips that are amazing. He flies through defenders toward the endzone.
You can't just blame it on his attitude. He was severely affected by injuries throughout his career. And for a guy who was a fierce competitor, I'm sure it killed him.
What's quite rich about that hit David Gibson, the safety that Shockey ran over, was that he was actually trash talking about Shockey prior to the game. He said something that he wasn't Tony Gonzalez, Ok maybe he wasn't lying, but he sure paid for it!
Bavaro easily at peak value. Madden couldn't believe that the Giants assigned Bavaro, a TE, to run block Dexter Manley during the Dec 86 game at RFK. Bavaro owned him. at the end of the game when Phil was taking a knee the Redskin defenders kidded Bavaro to let Dexter through so he coukd get a sack. Shockey second. Good blocking. Great threat as both a possession & downfield receiver. Destroyed Lavar Arrington one game in DC when the Redskin backer bragged beforehand that he would neutralize Shockey. Then...Bob Tucker, although he couldn't block. Next Aaron Thomas, who was more of a wide receiver. Howard Cross who couldn't catch but blocked like a tackle. Honorable mention: Zeke Mowatt basically for 1 season. And a guy named Gary Shirk, who I think was a UFL refugee. Not a great talent but an overachiever who set the team record for receptions during one game, at that point, against the Saints. I got engaged the morning of that game. Neither the marriage nor Shirk's record would last . I think Bavaro might have broken it against the loss to the Bengals when Phill threw for about 500.
He did everything well, starting late as a rookie when asked to fill Shockey's rather enormous shoes and tiny skull. His knowledge of the O, even as a rookie, surpassed Shockey's after shockey had been in the system for years, and allowed Gillbride to dial up more variations which IMO were crucial to a miraculous SB run, and were the keys to Eli finally living up to his promise (for a while) as an "elite" QB...
Have we successfully run a WR bubble screen (like we did to Nicks and Manningham)since Boss left? He and Steve Smith were such "all-team" guys, who blocked their hearts out even if they weren't the most naturally talented blockers - or even players. He knew how to keep David Diehl protected to such an extent that DD actually made a pro-bowl, too!
Zeke Mowatt was a better player, however briefly, and Tucker a far better receiver (but not blocker) but Boss was a great team guy and a key element to the SB run. For a while Boss was one of the guys helping to drive the bus, not just a passenger.
Then there is Mowatt, who if he never got hurt, may have never even opened the door for Bavaro. Mowatt was an excellent all around TE in his own right. After him it is Shockey, then Cross, then a huge drop off.
Man, I wanted him to be humbler and healthier, but I loved his tenacity. Wished he could have used it better.
Otherwise, despite my fondness for Howard Cross and his long tenure with the Giants, I would have to go with the guys who out of nowhere helped us win our last Super Bowls -- Boss first and then Ballard.
Shockey had all the talent in the world but no brains and Boss, imho, could have been a solid player for a long time without the concussions.
:ducks:
Man I wish I could find it...there's a clip on Youtube somewhere of Giants vs (I think?) Colts and it has some Shockey clips that are amazing. He flies through defenders toward the endzone.
You can't just blame it on his attitude. He was severely affected by injuries throughout his career. And for a guy who was a fierce competitor, I'm sure it killed him.
And in turn his QB got him killed.
absolutely, how is he not on the list? he was Bavaro before Bavaro
However, it would be hard to find a more juvenile, jerk. He could have been a great one if he had let someone on the Giants guide him, but he didn't. So I guess you have to add stupid to the list.
That catch over Brian Dawkins alone puts him at the top...
Shockey
Bennett
Cross
Pete Mitchell
Visante Shiancoe (too bad we didn't find ways to get him and Shockey on the field together more often. once he got his shot, he really blossomed in Minny)
I was certain that shockey would retire as a NYG legend. Loved his fire and talent and I still think things could have and should have been different here if the right coach and QB were directing #80 throughout his career here. Oh well...
Man I wish I could find it...there's a clip on Youtube somewhere of Giants vs (I think?) Colts and it has some Shockey clips that are amazing. He flies through defenders toward the endzone.
You can't just blame it on his attitude. He was severely affected by injuries throughout his career. And for a guy who was a fierce competitor, I'm sure it killed him.
What's quite rich about that hit David Gibson, the safety that Shockey ran over, was that he was actually trash talking about Shockey prior to the game. He said something that he wasn't Tony Gonzalez, Ok maybe he wasn't lying, but he sure paid for it!
I think you pretty much got it
how the hell isnt Al Dixon or Richie Kotite on the list
Bob Tucker was # 2 after Bavaro to me
Have we successfully run a WR bubble screen (like we did to Nicks and Manningham)since Boss left? He and Steve Smith were such "all-team" guys, who blocked their hearts out even if they weren't the most naturally talented blockers - or even players. He knew how to keep David Diehl protected to such an extent that DD actually made a pro-bowl, too!
Zeke Mowatt was a better player, however briefly, and Tucker a far better receiver (but not blocker) but Boss was a great team guy and a key element to the SB run. For a while Boss was one of the guys helping to drive the bus, not just a passenger.
He had the U talent and mouth, but was undisciplined.