OPINION

By Vinnie Iyer

updated 1:15 p.m. ET July 22, 2008

Consider the NFL hot stove as more of an inferno. A day after the Washington Redskins swung a blockbuster trade to land All-Pro defensive end Jason Taylor, the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants answered Monday with an "addition by subtraction" trade of disgruntled tight end Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints.

Getting a second-rounder and fifth-rounder for Shockey is a steal, considering how adept Giants general manager Jerry Reese is at the draft process. The Giants could trade Shockey because Reese hit on fifth-round selection Kevin Boss -- Shockey's promising successor -- in the '07 draft.

In talking to the New York Daily News on Sunday, Reese hinted that the team was ready to move forward with or without Shockey. "I expect we'll have 53 players when we play the Redskins (in Week 1) who want to be here and are happy to be here, ready to play as a team, ready to defend the title," Reese said.

Shockey was not part of the Giants' magical playoff run and eventual upset of undefeated New England in Super Bowl 42. He broke his left fibula on Dec. 16. Others immediately picked up the slack as intermediate targets, including Boss and wideouts Amani Toomer, Steve Smith and David Tyree.

If quarterback Eli Manning played his best football and had no problems finding open receivers without Shockey and Shockey carried an attitude that didn't make him receptive to coach Tom Coughlin, what was the point of keeping him?

After their initial flirtation with the Saints' offer early in the offseason, Giants officials called off trade talks. But, not surprisingly, as training camp came closer and Shockey's disappointment heated up, it was back to the boiling point.

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So, the Giants traded Shockey, a player who was unhappy off the field and really wouldn't have helped the team much on the field.

Does that mean the Saints acquired a headache?

No. A move away from the bright lights of New York and its media might just be what Shockey needs to maximize his immense athletic potential. Shockey still will get plenty of chances to enjoy his social life in New Orleans, but now the Oklahoma boy can perform his job without big-city pressure.

Shockey also is a great fit in the Saints' offense. They already had a potent intermediate passing game but lacked a playmaking tight end. Coach Sean Payton will know exactly how to use Shockey's skills, having been the Giants' offensive coordinator in Shockey's rookie (and still personal best) 2002 season.

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Assuming Reggie Bush can return as a healthy cog in the short passing game and Marques Colston continues to blossom as an elite No. 1 wide receiver downfield, Shockey often will find himself facing beatable coverage in the middle of the field. And when open, Shockey can count on Drew Brees getting him the ball.

This is yet another bold move in the Saints' aggressive offseason. The team already improved its defense significantly with the additions of middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and rookie defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. New Orleans now is in prime position to rebound from a disappointing '07 season to get it where it was in '06 -- playing in the NFC championship game.

By trading Shockey, the Giants have relieved themselves of considerable baggage before they begin their quest to remain the NFC's best. By getting Shockey, the Saints now are the Giants' most dangerous challenger outside of the NFC East.

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