Shockey Creates Matchup Problems

Jeremy Shockey was supposed to be the key ingredient for the New York Giants. But an injury prevented him from helping in their Super Bowl win. Shockey's injured again, but this time, he's determined to make it back in time to help the Saints win it all.

Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey is more concerned about his injured right knee than seeing the sights on Miami's famed South Beach next week.

Shockey, who has been hobbled by a sore right knee in the Saints' playoff wins against Arizona and Minnesota the last two weeks, visited renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., on Tuesday to have his MRI results evaluated, Saints coach Sean Payton said Thursday.

Shockey didn't practice Thursday when the Saints returned to work to begin preparing for Super Bowl XLIV against the Colts, but Payton said the injury is "more of a bruise."

Both he and Shockey said the examination left them encouraged that he'll be able to go against the Colts. Shockey was forced to sit out Super Bowl XLII two years ago when he was with the New York Giants because of a broken left leg.

"The last two games you guys have seen me play, it wasn't really me," Shockey said Thursday. "I was out there on one leg. It felt like being on a pogo stick. This week I'll have two pogo sticks instead of one."

The injury is just one of the reasons that Shockey, a former University of Miami star, is not thinking about anything but the game.

"We just have to be smart in every aspect (and avoid) guys going out, doing stupid stuff, getting in trouble," he said. "A lot of people put a lot of hours, time in, injuries and so on ... so I think everyone's mature enough in this locker room to know how much is at stake."

Shockey, who is one of the more excitable Saints when he's on the field, said he'll be ready to go.

"I know how much he wants to be a part of this game," quarterback Drew Brees said. "I know he's going to be ready. Most great tight ends are big-time matchup problems for teams just because it's a safety, or it's a linebacker having to cover them. We feel good about that."

NOTES --TE Jeremy Shockey, who visited Dr. James Andrews on Tuesday for a consultation on his right knee, did not practice Thursday when the Saints began their preps for Super Bowl XLIV. --MLB Jonathan Vilma did not practice Thursday because of a sore knee, but he should be ready for the Super Bowl.

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(nor.scout.com)