Former Panther tight end Jeremy Shockey is looking for a job but didn't let that stop him on Thursday from getting into a war of words via Twitter with his old New York Giants teammate, Amani Toomer.
It was only the latest display of Shockey's "attitude" or "edginess" or whatever you want to label it -- Toomer labeled Shockey a "bad teammate, worse person" after hearing the rumor that Shockey might want to return to the Giants.
Shockey responded with characteristic vitriol, mentioning on Twitter old divorce allegations that Toomer "urinated" on his ex-wife's clothes and that Toomer "loafed on a play and got man handled in my leg that caused it to break."
Juvenile stuff from both men, to be sure. And it made me wonder once again if Shockey is really worth the hassle.
At $4 million per year, which is what the Panthers paid Shockey last season, he certainly isn't. Greg Olsen is the clear No.1 tight end for Carolina. And even though Carolina likes to run a lot of two-tight sets, that's too much for a second tight end.
Maybe if Shockey would take half that he'd be worth bringing back, but even then you have to figure the Panthers have better pass-catchers and better locker room leaders. Shockey can be high-maintenance. And although he certainly wants to win, he doesn't always think before acting.
The Twitter feud with Toomer is only the latest example -- it might have felt good to Shockey to hammer Toomer with a couple of tweets, but you can rest assured every general manager in the NFL also saw that and thought to themselves, "Hmmmm.... do we really want this guy in our locker room?"
Shockey will play somewhere in 2012 -- he's not washed up. But it's going to be at a lot less than $4 million, and I ultimately don't think it will be with the Panthers. If I were the Panthers, I wouldn't bring him back unless it was at something close to the veteran minimum, and he may be able to get more than that somewhere else where there's no Olsen.
-- On a different note, the first big day of "March Madness" was more annoying than real madness, wasn't it? Too many games that weren't close at the end, too few upsets and two bad calls that derailed UNC Asheville's last chance at the ultimate upset over No.1 Syracuse. Hopefully today will be better. Here's my column about "Fantastic Friday."
We're moving!
9 years ago
Posts
15 comments:
Give him 6 million. He has something most Panther players dont...heart and fire.
~Anonymous said...
"Give him 6 million. He has something most Panther players dont...heart and fire." ~
I couldnt agree more! I disagree with the notion of giving him a raise to 6 milliion. But I do believe we should offer him a 2 or 3 year deal that is incentive driven. The FIRE and tenacity that Shockey brings is much like the fire of Steve Smith, Jon Beason, and Cam Newton. We need more players with that kind of fire and tenacity! It was refreshing to see last year, and I hope it is a trait that is rewarded.
Absolutely..there aren't many players like him in the league..he can still make good clutch catches..get him in here but for the right price!
Scott, in one word...
Yes
Yes, he is...at the right price. For all the hoopla about how difficult he is, we had not one single isue with him, unless wanting to win more so than his teammates is a real issue.
Is Newton worth the hassle?
Anonymous 11:56am,
What hassle?
It's comments like yours that convince people that the Newton criticism is mostly race related.
And don't bother bringing up anything that might've happened before he became a Panther because what he does here, is all that matters now.
He brought swagger, grit and mentorship that was desparately needed. Having Shockey and Olsen last year brought a needed aspect to the offense missing since Wesley Walls. It was too easy for teams to get us one-dimensional if they stopped the run and had 3 guys covering Smitty. Teams were not able to do that with Shockey and Olsen. You got to have 2 quality, proven TE's to punish the opponent. I am sure at times Shockey has said things he regrets or isn't proud of. I think most people fall into that same trap at times, especially if you have fire and passion as he does. Give that guy an extension, he deserves it. Let him retire a Panther!!!
I, for one, would be happy to have him back. I agree with most of the previous comments that he has fire and tenacity. Sometimes people with passion are a little hotheaded and tend to shoot off at the mouth. Case in point, Steve Smith...but you don't see anyone wanting to get rid of Smitty. I think Shockey is a fantastic addition to our offense, and, even after only one year, it's very hard to imagine our team without him. I will be over the moon if he's still with us next season. By the way, I haven't heard him say anything that wasn't provoked in some way or another. Not that provocation excuses childish reciprocation, but I think it is unfair to say he's not worth the money he's asking for just because he's easily provoked. His paycheck should be about his talent and his passion for the game. Period.
Yes. He's definitely worth the hassle. He's a hothead that wants to win and he fires up the team. I love it! He and Steve Smith have the attitude this team needs. Sign him again!
Shockey's twitter feud with Toomer was immature. Ok, so what? Toomer is a nothing nobody and let's not forget who started the whole thing. He asked for it and he got it. Everybody knows Shockey isn't one to back down from confrontation. That's what makes him a valuable football player. He's not the athlete he once was but he still brings the fire, and that's why he'll be playing somewhere next year. Toomer may not want to play with Shockey, but you can bet some Panthers do, including Cam, if you take him at his own word.
Now I agree, we can't afford to give him 4 mil. and I agree he isn't worth that much to us, but I don't think anybody else will pay him that either. That's why the Panthers are letting him test the market. It gives them leverage in contract negotiations. If we can pay Shockey a reasonable amount for his services, he is definitely the kind of guy this franchise needs, and we should try and keep him. Steve Smith can be a headache to, but I don't hear people saying he isn't worth it. That's the way it goes in football. I don't care if the guys are nice or not. All I care about is can they play and do they play hard. Why? Because every every other team looks at that way and if you don't, you're going to get walked all over.
It was about time last year when some of the cupcakes started realizing that. Being nice and upstanding young men? Heck, that's not even true in college sports anymore and it isn't going to win you any Superbowls, Scott. Come on, it isn't the 50s any more man. Live with it.
Shockey was no trouble for the Panthers last year. I liked what he brought to the table. I hope he comes back. 1.5 million sounds about right.
2 mill at most
Shockey was a great addition to the team. We should definitely try to do a deal to keep him. Had our defense been healthy we would have probably made the playoffs with our offensive production. Shockey was no problem here, he fit in nicely!
What has Scott done besides take shots at people! Jeremy Shockey was a great asset to the Panthers! And will be even more this year. Somebody with that heart and desire to win is what every team needs especially the Panthers! Pay him what a veteran should be paid!!! Shockey and Olsen is one of if not the best tightend duo in NFL!! "IF" the Panther aren't smart enough to sign him he WILL be great wherever he goes! "AND BE A GOOD LOCKER INFLUENCE!! Thanks for your words Scott but try to come with something better than a few comments between too old teammates. NOT ANONYMOUS DAVID HORNE
Post a Comment