5 Apr 2008
  VS 
by Scott Sokol SHOCKEY MILLER
Pts: 195.00 pts Pts: 192.60 pts
Ht: 6'5 Ht: 6'5
Wt: 251 Wt: 256
The Giants shocked the world with their 17-14 Super Bowl win over the Patriots, and the title run happened all without the always hyped, always egotistical, sometimes very productive Jeremy Shockey. While his teammates conquered the world, Shockey sat in a luxury box and watched the game. Anyone who believed he would be back with Big Blue come next year had to be delusional.
Now in April, despite many rumored trade offers, Giants GM Jerry Reese and head coach Tom Coughlin say Shockey remains the team’s starting tight end and that Kevin Boss will serve as the No. 2. In 2007 Shockey totaled his lowest yardage and touchdown numbers (619, 3 TDs) since 2003, when he played in only nine games, and the team obviously found great success using Boss.
On the other end of the Tight End spectrum, you have Heath Miller. A blue-collar guy who doesn’t say much, but at the end of the day he gets the job done. Miller, like Shockey, has won a Super Bowl (also like Shockey, Miller didn’t record a catch in that game). Whereas 2007 was a year to forget for Shockey, the Steelers’ passing game took flight and Heath Miller recorded career highs in catches, yards, and touchdowns with 47, 566, and 7 TDs.
Since Miller hit his high when Shockey was struggling, you’d think that Miller is clearly a better option, but that’s not necessarily the case. For starters, Miller notched a career high with 566 yards; Shockey has beaten that in all but ONE of his six pro seasons.
Each playing with a Super Bowl QB taken in the ’04 Draft, Miller and Shockey should both be owned in every fantasy league, but figuring out whom to take first is a different story.
REDRAFT CONSIDERATIONS
The days of taking Shockey as an early round sleeper, hoping for Gates-esque numbers are over. He’s shown thus far that he can’t produce at that level, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about him.
With Miller, you pretty much know what you’re going to get. His yardage numbers won’t be too high, but he’ll rack up the touchdowns, and in most leagues that will help the cause.
If I’m making my pick, I look at Eli Manning gaining confidence, a newly found running back by committee system, and a team that could really use a talented receiver to take some pressure off of Plaxico Burress. Shockey might fall in some drafts, but pressed to decide between him and Miller, still go with Shockey.
KEEPER/DYNASTY CONSIDERATIONS
Shockey has been a pro for three years longer than Miller, but he’s actually less than two years older. In a long-term keeper league, however, Shockey loses his edge. Some players are more durable than others, and Heath Miller looks like he’s one of those players. Miller has played in every game in his three years in the league while Shockey has never made it through a full season, missing significant time in ’03 and ’07.
Shockey may be one significant injury away from actually losing his starting spot to a Kevin Boss type. If you’re looking for a long-term keeper, Shockey is a bit of a risk.
SITUATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
The big one here is that Shockey still could get traded. There have been rumors the Saints are very interested, and trying hard to trade for Shockey (if the Giants agree to deal him) shakes up everything. Going to a new team could lower Shockey’s value if he has to adjust to a new system, but in a wide open offense like the one New Orleans runs, his value could also reach an all time high.
BOTTOM LINE
Clearly, Shockey is the riskier pick of the two, but his good years and his bad have almost all been better than Miller’s in terms of yardage and those touchdowns tend to even themselves out at some point. Miller is solid, Shockey is slightly better. For now!
REDRAFT EDGE - Shockey
+++++
KEEPER/DYNASTY EDGE - Miller
+++++
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