Jan 22, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham (82) runs up field against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of the 2011 NFC Championship game at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

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If this ends up being true, the best part is that he is not going to Philly, Dallas, Washington, 49ers, Falcons, and/or the Packers. Mario’s talents may be wasted in Tampa. They are an organization that has a lot of turnover and a QB that took a significant step backwards in his second season at the helm. The Bucs are also looking at a new coaching staff. However, this staff does have former Giants Asst. Coach Mike Sullivan as an Offensive Coordinator. Hopefully, Mario enjoys Tampa more than Derrick Ward did.

Stay tuned to GmenHq for updates on this developing story.

December 11, 2011; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey (80) catches the ball and scores a touchdown while playing against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-US PRESSWIRE

As we awake on this Saturday morning, nearly six days removed from being freshly crowned NFL champions, the twitter world is a buzz. I was going through my twitter feed there wear nearly 10 plus tweets from various Giants websites talking about the possibility of bringing back Jeremy Shockey. In case you did not know, the “shock” as License Plate Guy referred to him as, is a free agent this year.

As we know the Giants will be in the market for a TE come this off-season. It is highly likely that both Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum will start the season on the Physical Unable to Perform list (PUP List). That leaves only Bear Pascoe on the active roster as true tight-ends. Jerry Reese will have to address the position along with numerous other positions throughout the off-season.

As a Giant, we know Shockey had HUGE difficulties with Manning in his last injury plagued season with the Giants. Shockey was a strong personality and at that time, Eli was a young UN-PROVEN player. Things have changed. Eli is now a two-time Super Bowl Champion and Super Bowl MVP. Shockey is a aging veteran who has largely shut-up and just played the game recently.

While with the Giants Shockey put up good numbers. He played in a total of 83 games, had 371 catches for 4,228 yards and 24 touchdowns. Whether you like him or not he was very productive while in the Giants blue. Also, do not forget that Jermey Shockey was one of the Giants players who went and visited Wellington Mara while he was dying. It is much documented how much Shockey loved Wellington and considered him a father. Last year with the Panthers, Shockey played in 15 games and had 37 catches for 455 yards.  Those are not bad numbers at all. The Giants are looking to replace 43 catches and 694 yards (with Beckum and Ballard out).

I have been thinking about this for about the last two-to-three hours and I’m torn. Shockey was my favorite Giant when he played with

Feb 5, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants tight end Jake Ballard (85) limps off the field with crutches after being injured in the game against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

the team. I know him and Eli had their problems. But times have changed. Shockey has grown up and significantly matured and well we know Eli is now a top five if not a top three QB in the league. If Eli, Shockey, and Coughlin can sit down and have a productive meeting and the price is right (a one year deal for deal for the 2-3 million range) I say bring him back.  We are going to need help at that position. Pascoe can block fine, but we need a receiving threat. Especially if we loose Manningham.

For those of you wondering what other options are out there, here you go: Jermichael Finley, Fred Davis, John Carlson, and Shiancoe. Finley will most likely sign a long-term deal with the Packers. Honestly the rest of the choices do not wow me and I would rather have someone who always had his heart in the right place. We need someone to hold down the fort until Ballard and Beckum come back. For those of you who say draft a TE, that is an option. However, is that option going to give you almost 40 catches?

This will be a very interesting off-season for the Giants. We have many needs and we were not expecting TE to be one of them. Bringing Shockey back on the Giants terms may be an inexpensive and effective way to fill the gap until the cavalry shows up. The Giants will also probably be looking to sure up at the OL, LB, the Secondary in general and the interior DL.  Stay with GmenHq for the off-season news associated with your Super Bowl Champion New York Giants!