” [Shockey] is a tough, talented guy who plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played.”MIKE DITKA
Despite Jeremy Shockey’s off-the-field incidents, Mike Ditka loves what he’s seen on the field from the Giants’ brash tight end.
“Jeremy [Shockey] is a tough, talented guy who plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played,” said the NFL Hall of Famer who was in town yesterday for an NFL press conference supporting men’s health. “He plays with emotion and respects the game. I’ve admired him since he was at the University of Miami.”
Ditka, who played and coached in the NFL for 25 years and has dealt with his share of outspoken athletes, doesn’t see Shockey’s antics as a problem. Remember, this is coming from a guy who, when coaching the Bears in the 1980s, had to deal with Jim McMahon.
“Jim [McMahon] was a crazy guy who liked to have fun,” said Ditka of his former Super Bowl-winning quarterback who wore headbands with the words “Goofy” and “Rozelle” in protest to then-commissioner Pete Rozelle’s ban of the headwear.
“He was a prankster, like Walter [Payton]. But the jokes were never malicious.”
Could the same be said for Shockey’s comments about Bill Parcells, whom he referred to as a “homo”?
“I don’t know about the statements he’s made; that’s his business. I don’t know enough about them to comment,” said Ditka, who took a pass on the subject. “What I do know is that he is young.”
And dangerous.
Which is exactly what Ditka became when he broke in with the Bears in 1961. Ditka transformed the tight-end position from a stagnant blocker to a downfield receiving threat. In his rookie year, he hauled in 56 passes and scored 12 touchdowns. His efforts set the precedent for other pass-catching tight ends such as the Colts’ John Mackey and Kellen Winslow of the Chargers
After last year’s performance, Shockey elevated the position even further. He led all tight ends in receptions (74) and yards (894), while becoming the key factor in opening up the Giants’ passing game.
“Defenses realized that [Shockey] was killing them and they couldn’t cover him,” Ditka said. “Then teams started double covering him and guys like [Amani] Toomer found themselves having a great year. Defenses have to adjust to him, and the Giants are benefiting from that.”
