Jeremy Shockey matters again
Jeremy Shockey can't complain about his offense anymore. Landing in New Orleans represents the absolutely perfect scenario to rehab his fantasy value. No team throws more than the Saints, and they desperately needed a second option behind Marques Colston to make tough catches over the middle. Shockey already knows Sean Payton's system, one that is built on short passes and yards after the catch. That's Shockey's specialty.
Saints tight ends caught 75 passes last year. Shockey's career high was 74, in his rookie season. If Shockey stays healthy, I would expect him to break that mark. He never stays healthy for long, though. He is coming off a broken leg and remains a huge injury risk. I will have a column tomorrow about what the trade does exactly to Shockey's ranking and projections. I have to work out the numbers still, but here's a preview: They are going up.
Comments
Boy, I sure do like this move as a Saints' fan!!!
Posted by: Hazean | July 21, 2008 04:21 PM
Gregg, I know his value has to go up, but career highs for a guy that can't stay on the field? I don't know...
Posted by: John | July 21, 2008 04:47 PM
Okay, but how will his presence affect other fantasy studs around him, such as Colston, Brees, and Bush? Does this new target slightly downgrade Bush's value in the passing game (gets less looks)? Or does the new offensive threat increase Bush's value (gets more looks due to attention Shockey gets in coverage)?
My guess is that the three mentioned above all get slight boosts....
Posted by: Eric | July 21, 2008 05:55 PM
As a Saints fan I'm pumped about this move. Since there is no clear #2 WR in New Orleans this is a major upgrade. Sorry Billy Miller and Eric Johnson, thanks for your time.
As a fantasy owner I wish I would have given more thought to Kevin Boss this offseason in some Dynasty leagues. He could have cam cheap.
To Eric...
Won't hurt Colston.
Surely won't hurt Brees.
I really don't tihnk it's going to hurt Bush that bad in what he does. In fact, like you said, it could help as they can't "spy" him.
Posted by: Lee | July 22, 2008 07:59 AM
I have a feeling that, as much as people want to make a big deal out of this trade, it is going to have LESS implications than people think. For one thing, you can guarantee that Shockey will get hurt again. He'll also drop his usual allotment of passes. This trade has no effect on the Giants, who played better without him. It gives a slight boost to Brees, Shockey, and the rest of the Saints, but don't underestimate how hard it will be for Shockey to learn the new playbook, get chemistry with Brees, etc. At the end of the year, the NO tight end stats will look the same with Shockey as without him.
Posted by: veggieb | July 22, 2008 10:52 AM
I agree with Veg that the trade will not have as great an impact as is being discussed. But Shockey will pick up the playbook quickly - he'll just have to get the different terminology down. I think there will be a honeymoon where Brees will look for him often enough, especially in the red zone, to see early production. But, like Veg noted, he drops a fair number of passes (he would still look back at Eli and throw up his hands to show up Eli even if he should have caught the pass. If he stays healthy (HUGE "if), he'll pull in about 70 passes with 5-6 TDs. His impact will be felt more by Bush in PPR leagues. Colston will have less "possession" type catches, maybe some more freedom on deep routes.
Posted by: John | July 22, 2008 11:09 AM
Gregg,
do you think the addition of Shockey increases Drew Brees value to the point of holding on to him in a keeper league?
Thanks, Rick
Posted by: rick | July 22, 2008 11:54 AM