Jeremy Shockey and the New Orleans Saints are no longer an item, with the team announcing they've terminated Shockey's contract. With rookie Jimmy Graham around, the Saints are going to get plenty of production from their tight end position, and Shockey's injury issues that have lingered his entire career show no sign of going away.
↵I don't think this has all that much of an effect on the Atlanta Falcons -- Graham is a capable replacement for Shockey, plus he's much younger and cheaper. The Saints lose depth at the position, but judging by the way Sean Payton finds wide receivers in his couch cushions that's probably not much of a concern either.
↵Just to head off what's coming next: no, the Falcons will not sign Shockey. The team needs a younger tight end to work as Tony Gonzalez' apprentice. Shockey is younger than Gonzalez, but so is almost everybody, and he's going to cost much more than a rookie would. Plus he's getting up there in years anyway.
↵Head to Canal Street Chronicles for more on Shockey.
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