Eli Manning Says He Hopes Jeremy Shockey Wants to Be a Giant

2008 Regular Season Schedule to Be Announced Today:  The NFL will announce the 2008 regular season schedule for each team at 2:00PM EST today.

Strahan and Reese Met Last Week:  According to The NFL Network, DE Michael Strahan met with General Manager Jerry Reese last week for about an hour at Giants Stadium to discuss Strahan’s future.  There is no official word yet if Strahan will play in 2008 or retire.  The Daily News and New York Post are reporting that Strahan has not yet made his decision.

Eli Manning Again Says He Hopes Jeremy Shockey Wants to Be a Giant:  QB Eli Manning reiterated again yesterday that he hopes that TE Jeremy Shockey wants to remain a Giant.  There have been rumors that the Giants are fielding offers for Shockey and/or Shockey no longer wants to remain a part of the team.

“I don’t know (if Shockey believes the Giants want him), I really don’t ,” said Manning.  “I hope he does.  I hope he knows that he’s wanted back on this team and that for us to get better and become a better offense, he’s a great weapon for us.”

“I’ve learned in this league that you never know what might happen,” said Manning,  “but I hope he’ll be a New York Giant next year.”

“We’ve been playing phone tag the last couple of weeks,” said Manning.  “Jeremy and I, we haven’t reached our potential yet in the tandem we can become and the way we should be playing together.  He’s a tremendous player and you look at some of the games he had early in the year and some of the plays he had in those games to help us win and even make it into the playoffs, he’s a big part of our offense and I think he knows that.  I hope he knows that because he helps us out a lot.”

Giants Schedule Visits with College Prospects:  Each NFL team is allowed to bring in 30 out-of-town prospects  for pre-draft visits.

• According to The Daily News‘ Giants’ Blog, the Giants will meet with DE/LB Quentin Groves (Auburn), LB Tavares Gooden (Miami), WR Mario Manningham (Michigan), WR Paul Hubbard (Wisconsin), S Tyrell Johnson (Arkansas State), OT Chris Williams (Vanderbilt), OT Gosder Cherilus (Boston College), DT Gabe Long (Utah), CB Antwaun Molden (Eastern Kentucky), DE Hilee Taylor (North Carolina), and QB Willie Copeland (Valdosta State).

• In addition, The Star-Ledger‘s Giants Blog is reporting the Giants will meet with WR Bruce Hocker (Duquesne).

Article on QB Eli Manning:  Champion Sparkplug by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Article on the Giants’ Playoff Victims:  Four NFL Coaches Look Back On Flops Against Giants in Playoffs by Gary Myers of The Daily News