Article:Taylor, Shockey Sent Packing

Two big-time NFL football stars are now on the move. In the past two days both Jason Taylor of the Miami Dolphins, and Jeremy Shockey of the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants have been traded, and will be in a new uniform this fall.

Defensive end Jason Taylor will be shipped off to Washington D.C. for two draft picks—one in the 2009 draft, the other in the 2010 draft. The Dolphins’ motive to trade Taylor was his partial differences with the Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Bill Parcells. The move was complete just two days after rumors about a possible trade were started. The season-ending injury to current defensive end, Phillip Daniels, on the very first day of practice, was just the icing on the cake. The trade, which will allow Miami to allow more youth to the already young team, was finalized Monday when Taylor passed his physical, and was formally introduced as the newest Redskin team member.

New York Giant tight end, Jeremy Shockey, was also traded for two draft picks, both in the 2009 draft. Shockey will be headed to New Orleans to play for Sean Payton’s Saints. It’s quite obvious Shockey is no longer wanted in New York, especially after the Giants won the Super Bowl with him on the bench. Yes, Shockey was a first-round draft pick in 2002, and has four Pro Bowls to his name, but Shockey has had disagreements with the organization for several years now, and it was time for a change. Jeremy will be the go-to guy in New Orleans, and I’m sure Drew Brees will be glad to have a player of his caliber on the team.

When you break it all down, there really is no “winner” or “loser” in these two trades. Washington was looking for a superstar to replace the 35-year old Daniels at the defensive end position, Miami and New York were just trying to do what’s best for their organization, and New Orleans needed a playmaker to accompany Brees, and Reggie Bush on the offensive side of the ball.

Look for Shockey, and Taylor to make an immediate impact on their new teams, whether it be attracting more fans, or making big plays on the field. Both these guys will be Pro Bowlers come time in February.