New York Giants Draft Kenny Phillips and Terrell Thomas

New York Giants Draft Kenny Phillips and Terrell Thomas:  Without moving up or down in the draft, the Giants selected safety Kenny Phillips (Miami) and cornerback Terrell Thomas (USC) in the first and second rounds respectively of the 2008 NFL Draft.

For a scouting report on both players as well as media Q&A transcripts with General Manager Jerry Reese, Director of College Scouting Marc Ross, Head Coach Tom Coughlin, and Phillips, see the 2008 NFL Draft Review section of the website.

TE Jeremy Shockey Remains a New York Giant:  Despite media reports and internet rumors to the contrary, TE Jeremy Shockey was not traded to another team today.  Interestingly, General Manager Jerry Reese and Head Coach Tom Coughlin  did not address the media until after the New Orleans Saints had made their second-round selection.  That pick was rumored to be a part of any trade package that would be necessary to obtain Shockey.

The Daily News‘ Giants’ Blog is reporting that the trade to New Orleans did not occur because the Saints never came close to meeting the Giants’ trade demands.  An NFL source told The Daily News that the Giants would not lower their demands.  The Blog now says the Giants were serious about not wanting to trade Shockey, but were willing to listen to offers.  The Daily News says the Saints offered their second-round pick in the 2008 Draft and either a sixth-round pick in the 2008 Draft or a fifth-round pick in the 2009 Draft.

“Jeremy Shockey is our starting tight end,” said Reese.  “And I’m going to leave it at that.  Let’s talk about the draft pick.  There is really nothing to talk about.  Jeremy Shockey is our starting tight end, and really that is the end of the story.  Anybody want to talk about the draft pick?”

“Jeremy Shockey is our starting tight end and that is the way it is,” said Coughlin.  “Despite all that has been said and what have you, as I stand here right now, he is our starting tight end.”

When Coughlin was asked if Shockey was close to being traded, Coughlin responded, “I don’t know that.  There has been a lot of talk, very little activity.”

Coughlin was then asked if a trade possibility was dead.  “There is so much that goes on with regard to the draft in terms of picks and players that you learn over the years that the discussions come and go,” said Coughlin.  “Whether there is any seriousness to them that is probably for someone else to say.  These conversations are made all the time.  The phone does ring.  This has been reported in the paper.  There have been comments about it and I don’t really have anything else to say other than the fact that Jeremy Shockey, while a New York Giant, while playing in our program, has worked very hard.  He has done a good job in mentoring, if you will, a lot of these young guys that had to come through and play for us this year, and he has outstanding ability, as you all know, and there is no change in that status as of right now.”