Shockey goes off about ‘low morale’

Friday, Dec. 3, 2004 | 9:23 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

The New York Giants' four-game losing streak and fading playoffs hopes finally got the best of Jeremy Shockey.

The emotional tight end expressed his displeasure with the team in a nearly 10-minute salty discussion with the media Thursday, during which he said team morale was "pretty low."

"I'm not going to lie to you," Shockey said. "Everyone's kind of looking around for someone else to say stuff. It's pretty bad, but we've got everything in the world to play for."

The Giants (5-6) are tied with St. Louis for the sixth-best record in the NFC heading into Sunday's game at Washington against the Redskins (3-8).

However, New York has lost five of six and has been beset by injuries on defense, particularly the chest injury that sidelined defensive end Michael Strahan for the rest of the season.

While the defense has held together, the offense has produced little -- even with No. 1 draft pick Eli Manning replacing Kurt Warner at quarterback.

Shockey said he'd like to see his teammates show they're in the game, even when they are on the sidelines.

He added that the Giants need to restore the confidence they had earlier in the season when they started with a 4-1 record. Shockey also said the team needs to win at all costs this weekend.

"I don't care how dirty you've got to play, we need a win," he said. "We're desperate. The Washington Redskins are desperate, too."

Meanwhile Thursday, the Giants placed Lorenzo Bromell on injured reserve, adding to the team's growing list of defensive linemen whose season has been ended by injury.

Bromell, who had offseason knee surgery and only played in two recent games, is the fourth linemen lost since the season began.

Michael Strahan (chest) and Keith Washington (knee) went out on Nov. 7, and fellow defensive end Chuck Wiley was sidelined with a knee injury this past Sunday.