The big question on everyone's mind is how will the Giants replace Shockey.

Some people expect Boss to step up and do what Shockey did; he can't

So you may think it is all Doom and Gloom, on the surface it is a big hole to fill. Shockey has averaged 62 receptions, 705 yards and 5 TDs per year.

The key thing is that our offense will look very different (much like it was in the playoffs).

Our young TEs Kevin Boss, Darcy Johnson and Michael Matthews will certainly do their share

The big difference is that we will probably use alot more 3 wide reciever sets. That means getting Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss and our other youngsters more playing time.

This will have a huge impact. Firstly we have more genuine speed and ability to get downfield. As well as giving us more big play threats, it also forces the defence to cover alot more ground. This will open up alot more opportunites for our recievers, tight ends and running backs.

It takes alot of the focus away from our TE; meaning that Boss and co will have more opportunities.

The bottom line is that life goes on after shockey

here is an interestign article

from http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2008/07/22/2008-07-22_with_jeremy_shockey_gone_steve_smith_and.html

With Jeremy Shockey gone, Steve Smith and others receive shot

BY RALPH VACCHIANO
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Kevin Boss won't be only Giant to benefit from Jeremy Shockey trade ...

... as WR Steve Smith will likely get more passes thrown his way.
As distracting as Jeremy Shockey could be, members of the Giants organization were sorry to see him go on Monday. In fact, one person called it "a sad day" around Giants.

But there is life after Shockey. And the Giants know from experience that it can be good.

So the Giants will begin the post-Shockey era Thursday with a considerable amount of optimism when they report for training camp at the University at Albany. They got a taste of it in the winter, when they played six games and won a Super Bowl without the enigmatic tight end.

And in his absence, they got a good look at what tight end Kevin Boss - and perhaps more importantly, third receiver Steve Smith - can do.

"It's a good thing that we had some young receivers (and tight ends when Shockey got hurt)," offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said at minicamp last month. "I think our young receivers had a chance to grow up. You never know how they're going to respond when they're given an opportunity and it was nice to see them do that."

In his six games without Shockey, Boss - a fourth-round pick out of Division II Western Oregon - had only nine catches for 140 yards. But he had a couple of key receptions, including a 45-yarder in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl, that got the Giants excited about his potential. He also apparently has added about 20 pounds to his 253-pound frame, which should help his blocking ability considerably.

However, the Giants' bigger key to their post-Shockey success, could be Smith, a second-round pick out of USC who coincidentally returned from an 11-week absence due to shoulder and hamstring injuries the same week Shockey got hurt. It took him a few weeks to get back into a rhythm, but in the final five games - starting with the Giants' regular-season finale against New England - Smith had 17 catches for 181 yards. That includes his huge catch on third-and-11 in Super Bowl XLII that set up Plaxico Burress' game-winning touchdown.

Boss will likely take over the starting job from Shockey, with Darcy Johnson and Michael Matthews filling the second tight end role. But Smith could end up picking up the majority of the catches Shockey left behind. Shockey's absence also could create more of a need for a fourth receiver, such as rookie Mario Manningham or third-year pro Sinorice Moss.

Regardless of who else chips in, the spotlight will fall on Boss, who is so quiet and low-key he is the anti-Shockey. It could be a big adjustment for him to fill such a high-profile role.

Replacing players of Shockey's caliber is never easy. But as Boss and the Giants learned during their Super Bowl run, it's not impossible.

Moss, Smith, Manningham, Boss, Johnson, Matthews, Hixon, Tyree.

Offense opens up, Manning has more options. It all works out.

deranged wrote:Moss, Smith, Manningham, Boss, Johnson, Matthews, Hixon, Tyree.

Offense opens up, Manning has more options. It all works out.

Don't forget that our RBs will have more room coming out of the backfield as well.

It will be very much a more balanced option. We will have less genuine playmakers for defenses to focus on, but all of our players can get the jpb done and make plays.

In many ways it makes us harder to defend, because Eli just plays whatever is in front of him and goes to whoever is open.

When Shockey went down last year, our yards per carry went down an entire yard. That's no small consideration. Hard to see how this trade helps the RBs.

Gman329 wrote:Hard to see how this trade helps the RBs.

Firstly, stretching the field gives the RBs alot more space.

TE will not be the same level of focus, so the RBs will likely pick up some of Shockey's receptions.

Gman329 wrote:When Shockey went down last year, our yards per carry went down an entire yard. That's no small consideration. Hard to see how this trade helps the RBs.

Agreed, Shockey was a sensational blocker and his absence will hurt the Giants in the short run there, but remember, he wasn't as good a blocker a few years ago so hopefully Boss can learn the tricks of the trade quick and get near that level.

Big_Pete wrote:

Gman329 wrote:Hard to see how this trade helps the RBs.

Firstly, stretching the field gives the RBs alot more space.

TE will not be the same level of focus, so the RBs will likely pick up some of Shockey's receptions.

IMO, having the safeties keep an eye on Shockey all the time did more for the running game than any deep threat here. And the Giants ran to open up the pass a lot anyway, not always but a lot of the time.

It's a moot point though as Eli rarely checks down to the RBs, which really makes me mad. I hate seeing Jacobs/Bradshaw/Ward sitting there in the flat for an easy 6-12 yds while Eli forces one in to someone in coverage downfield.