Shiancoe signs with Patriots; Shockey next?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Shiancoe signs with Patriots; Shockey next?
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Visanthe Shiancoe signed a one-year contract with the Patriots, an NFL source said, ending the tight end's flirtation with the Eagles.
Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports first reported Shiancoe's signing.
The Eagles had Shiancoe in for a workout on Tuesday. General manager Howie Roseman said the tryout went well, but he added at the time that no deal was imminent. The team has also flirted with the possibility of bringing free agent tight end Jeremy Shockey in for a look-see, but those plans were put on hold.
Shiancoe signing with New England could open the door for Shockey.
FROM EARLIER
The Eagles have put on hold plans to bring tight end Jeremy Shockey in for a physical after they worked out Visanthe Shiancoe on Tuesday, a team source said.
If the Shiancoe work out went well -- and signs point to that being the case -- the Eagles could have him under contract before the rest of the team reports to training camp on Wednesday.
"It's the time of year where we're trying to create competition," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. "Camp opens for vets tomorrow. We go through our short list. We see if there's any guys that we have good grades on and we work them out.
"Last year we had five tight ends on the roster. Right now we have four. We're looking at everything."
Shiancoe, who recently visited with the Patriots, was negotiating with the Eagles and New England and could finalize a deal by Tuesday night, Steve Wyche of NFL Network later reported.
If the Eagles were to sign any free agent off the street during camp the player would not be permitted to practice for three days, per the league's collective bargaining agreement.
FROM EARLIER:
The Eagles, obviously, aren't satisfied with their options at backup tight end, or at the very least, want to push those options at training camp.
Visanthe Shiancoe is coming to Lehigh University today to workout for the team. And now, the Eagles plan on bringing Jeremy Shockey in for a physical on Wednesday, according to an NFL source.
Shockey, the bad boy tight end who played memorably for the New York Giants, not as memorably for the Saints, and lastly for the Panthers, is 31 and certainly on the downslope of his career. But he still caught 37 passes for 455 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Still, there's a question of whether the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Shockey has any gas left in the tank. The same could be said of the 32-year-old Shiancoe. But he is at least getting a tryout. Shockey has to pass a physical first.
The Eagles, meanwhile, have made it clear that they want to throw a little gas into the competition at backup tight end. Clay Harbor enters camp as the No. 2 behind Brent Celek. Harbor has been serviceable as a backup the last two seasons, but he hasn't been as sure-handed as the Eagles would like.
He caught 13 passes for 163 yards and one touchdown last season, however, and did improve his blocking. The Eagles employed two-tight end sets as much as any NFL team in 2011. Brett Brackett, who the Eagles added to their practice squad last October, is also here. Brackett is a converted tight end having played wide receiver at Penn State.
Celek finished strong last season -- despite hip and sports hernia injuries -- and ended the year with 62 catches for 811 yards and five touchdowns. He was held back slightly in the spring as he recovered from hip surgery. But Eagles coach Andy Reid said Sunday that Celek was good to go for camp and Celek said via text message Tuesday morning that he feels great.
I don't see Shockey accepting a backup role, even if he is signed as one. Don't mess up the team chemistry with this guy.— P Even- He was already the #2 guy last year in Carolina and previously in New Orleans (behind Greg Olson & Jimmy Graham). Shockey is a nice veteran backup that would see limited snaps (his injury-prone body can't handle the wear & tear of starting). — Rob P.
- "Mr Clean adds dirty player" should be the headline— NewMick314
- Shiancoe lets it ALL hang out and either he or Shockey may be a better option than Harbor.— ESFjellin
- Shockey said before he would like to play for the Eagles. Same type vet moves as the Atogwe pick up. Getting veteran back ups who may have lost a bit but can step in and play as fill ins is a good plan IMO.
Really like what the team is doing this year. Kudos to the front office after messing up so badly in previous years.— tpizza - NO WAY do I want that garbage on our team!!!!— MJSI
- Would not be surprised to see 3 tight ends and no full back on roster— camasbud
- Well it's no secret what I think of Celek. If there's any doubt he doesn't and has not been the most reliable receiver in the route. I remember Shiancoe as an outlet for Favre, and he seemed to work between the hash marks pretty good. Good enough to be a critical asset in the Philly offense provided he's still capable of working over linebackers.
Team the Eagles are likely to meet in the Playoffs are going to have very effective skilled Tight Ends, and Celek doesn't begin to fit that bill. A skillful tight end who knows when to extend his route could be a dangerous weapon in the Eagles Offense. Shiancoe and Shockey has that understanding and experience.— Dexter - Celek is a good receiver and he runs hard after the catch. The coaches say he is an improved blocker, too. There is nothing wrong with having three tight ends, and using them a lot. NE did it with a lot of success, right?— Paul SoTX
- U— friedmozzarela
- That tatooed idiot doesn't deserve to wear an Eagles jersey.— 1republican
- Desean Jackson, Jason Babin, and many other Eagles have are tatooed. Do they have to go now too? — Rob P.
- The large tattoo on his right bicep is an eagle - a ferocious looking eagle at that!
- What happened to the Eagles policy of signing only "character" type guys? Oh..I guess that went out the window with Mike Vick. But that aside, Shockey has a long history of injuries and you can't count on him for 16 games.— SteveS11
- Shockey has never been in trouble with the law or been accused of dirty play, and has won two superbowls. I would be happy to add that kind of experience to this team.
FYI: His tatoo is of an American Flag & Eagle, what's wrong with being patriotic?— Rob P. - while Shockey "won" a Super Bowl w/ the Giants, he missed the entire post season w/ an broken leg.
— ekw555 - Well he caught 50 plus passes from weeks 1 thru 15, so I would say that he was a contributing factor to the Giants success in the 2007 season... — Rob P.
- Love to Shockey here! Remember no one was catching TD's in the end zone last year. He's a nice compliment to Celek - if he's in shape and is better than Harbor or any other back up TE we have.— KIBecker
- Putting an Eagles uniform on Shockey would be like putting a silk hat on a pig.— PinkstonsStrengthCoach
- Shockey is an idiot but so is Andy Reid. He fits the mold, sign him.— DrumsAndBeer
- shockey is a winner, bring him in— Serge_Matthews
- @Rob P - Shockey started 13 games last year for Carolina. And 11 or 12 for NO the previous 3 years.— P Even
- Greg Olson started 13/16 games with 45 catches & 5td, Shockey had 32 catches & 4td. Both played in two TE sets, but Shockey was obviously OK with not being "the guy" for the Panthers because that not his role in the NFL anymore. He is a good, veteran back-up on a team that already has weapons like McCoy, Jackson, Maclin, etc. — Rob P.
- You can't have a dynasty with over the hill players.— aNutter1inDgutter
- they function well as backups even in a dynasty! — Lambo1
- The Eagles found out Shockey has never served time so his workout was cancelled.— Scope33
- That's funny that people think he doesn't deserve to wear an Eagles jersey. They haven't won in 50 years. He should be embarrassed to wear an Eagle's jersey.— FlyersLosersFor38Years
- It would take a few more drinks at the tailgate to root for Shockey. Yuck.— Quinn204
- I'd rather have Chad Lewis back than Shockey.— JCKevo
- Hey Philly.com, send 1 of your 2-bit writers down to Florida, where your former employee, Bill Conlin is on the lam.— cps147
- no shockey. hes a cancer— psualum
I like Shockey's talent... but he is kind of stupid.— Zeru- Shockey may bring an arrogance to our offense...that's a good thing!— NC Eagle Fan
- NO! He is oft injured and he's a punk ex giant.— sore richard
- Shockey is team cancer.— richardecredico
- add Shockey. he has the same cockyness as vick. they can walk dogs togther.— Tyrone Biggums
Coming out of Missouri State, Clay Harbor was scouted as a top Fullback prospect. Keep him as the 3rd TE and 1st FB....waive/trade Stanley Havili.
Celek and Shockey (or Shiancoe) as the 1&2 isn't exactly Gronkowski/Hernandez, but it's a definite upgrade. DO IT.
I can't say anything bad about what the Eagles are doing, personnel-wise, except maybe having a better backup QB plan.— EmanuelP- Don't know about the other guy, but Jeremy Shockey has been a disruptive influence everywhere he's been. The Eagles has all ready gone that path with Terrell Owens!— BEMiller
- agree with emanuelp the back up qb's we have are gaaarrbbbaagggeee— defroe
- I always liked Shockey, goes all out.— watsonmr
- I always liked Shockey, goes all out.— watsonmr
- Wow no one jumped on the patriotism is for idiots comment. I will. For all you people who do not love this country please leave asap- Gino's Cheesesteaks.— JL68
- Ya hes a cancer. His 2 superbowl rings in his career have nothing on the 2 playoff career wins Mike Vick has. We need winners like Vick, not loosers like Shockey!— Sidewinder7
- Love Howie and Andy's aggressiveness still pushing to get more competition at every position... Still can't stand that jerk Shockey of the Little Blue Bums fame. Maybe Shancoe still has something left.— trinieagle
- Visanthe Shiancoe and Celek? Just what the eagles need. visanthe can still stretch the field plus get those tough yards. Andy make this happen!!!— Yes_General
- He who hesitates is lost.— watsonmr
- Just when I thought the Eagles would take the offense to another gear they let a clutch west coast TE go to the Patriots— Yes_General
- Did anyone just read the article that listed the top 25 players Eagles fans hate? Shockey was in the top 10. He is washed up anyway.— barina
- Did anyone just read the article that listed the top 25 players Eagles fans hate? Shockey was in the top 10. He is washed up anyway.— barina
- What the hell? The Birds are slacking off and are too cocky. Not everyone wants to play for them.— sj1926
- Very odd for pats to sign another TE. Hmmm.— djack10
- they can't be that good if there still looking for a job— dwilly
- as Wendy answered I am amazed that any body able to profit $9696 in a few weeks on the computer. have you seen this webpage(Click on menu Home more information) http://goo.gl/yWLMb
— Leilageq - Shockey makes stupid look smart...but he was tough and could catch. No prob with him IMO.— tpizza
