Flashback Friday: Giants’ Jeremy Shockey outduels Brian Dawkins for TD

In our latest Giants Wire Flashback Friday, we look at one of the most memorable regular season plays in New York football history.

In running back Saquon Barkley, the New York Giants possess a well-respected weapon that the rest of the NFL has to account for. When healthy, he is as “beast-mode” as they come in this game.

But when it comes to being a beast in the NFC East, no Giant offensive player was more feared — or successful — than tight end Jeremy Shockey.

When the Giants selected the Miami star with the 14th overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, general manager Ernie Accorsi didn’t look at him as just another tight end.

”I look at him as a weapon, something that we really needed,” Accorsi said.

Shockey turned out to be as special as the Giants had hoped. He would make an immediate impact on the Giants, becoming the standard for today’s pass-catching, physical tight ends and qualifying for the Pro Bowl in four of his first five seasons with the club.

But Shockey was a lighting rod of a player that angered his own team and fans with too much swagger and lacked focus both on and off the field. There were times when he had no peer. Then there were the times that had us all shaking our heads. He was traded after the 2007 season.

One thing is for certain, though. He made the Giants a team to respect, especially in the NFC East. In Shockey’s 10-year NFL career (six with the Giants), his teams had a 21-13 record against the Cowboys, Redskins and Eagles.

Here is a signature play where Shockey outdoes future Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins for a touchdown.

To most NFL observers, this is a play between two players that were hated around the league. It was especially gratifying moment for Giant fans, though, who had a particular distaste for Dawkins.

As great a competitor as Dawkins was, all of his bravado wasn’t enough when it came to dealing with Shockey. Dawkins earned himself a place in football history with his aggressive play, but on this particular play, it was Shockey that got the last laugh — and word.

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Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins named finalists for ‘NFL 100 All-Time Team’

Former Broncos defensive backs Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins are finalists for the NFL’s all-time team.

Former Denver Broncos defensive backs Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins have been named finalists for the “NFL 100 All-Time Team,” the league announced this week. Cornerback Willie Brown, who played in Denver from 1963-1966, was also named a finalist.

The NFL will announce which cornerbacks and safeties made the cut on NFL Network on Friday evening.

Bailey was voted to 12 Pro Bowls during his career and is a member of the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team and the Broncos’ Top 100 team. He spent 10 seasons in Denver.

Dawkins was voted to nine Pro Bowls during his career and is also a member of the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team and the Broncos’ Top 100 team. He only spent three seasons in Denver but he was one of the Broncos’ best defenders during that time.

Last week, DeMarcus Ware (defensive line) and Von Miller (linebacker) were finalists but neither of them made the team. Terrell Davis was a finalist at running back but he did not make the team, either.

The complete team of 100 players and 10 coaches will be revealed on NFL Network on Friday, Dec. 27 in celebration of the league’s 100 years.

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