NFL | Saints finally complete trade for TE Jeremy Shockey

NEW ORLEANS — Jeremy Shockey caught more passes for more yards as a rookie — the one season when New Orleans coach Sean Payton was his offensive coordinator in New York — than any other.

The Giants, meanwhile, proved they didn't need their disgruntled standout tight end to pull off one of the most stunning playoff runs in league history, winning three postseason games on the road and beating previously undefeated New England in the Super Bowl — all while the injured Shockey watched from afar.

So the Giants sought to do both themselves and Shockey a favor Monday, cutting ties with the four-time Pro Bowl selection in a deal the Saints had been trying to pull off for months.

The Giants will get second- and fifth-round picks in the 2009 draft in exchange for sending Shockey to the team he wanted to play for most. The trade must be approved by the league and is contingent on the 27-year-old Shockey passing a physical.

"I have had a relationship with coach Payton and I appreciate what he has done as a head coach," Shockey said in a statement released by the Saints. "The Saints have a lot of weapons starting with Drew Brees and I look forward to joining my teammates at training camp. This will be a fun year."

Shockey caught 74 passes for 894 yards and was named rookie of the year in 2002, his lone season working with Payton, whom he will be reunited with on the practice field this week.

The Saints report to training camp in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, when Shockey will join several other tight ends on New Orleans' roster, including last year's starter, Eric Johnson, along with Billy Miller and Mark Campbell.

Shockey, who spent six seasons with the Giants, broke his leg against Washington on Dec. 16.

He is known for his receiving ability more than his blocking, and was unhappy before the injury — he was asked to block in addition to catch. Once hurt, he didn't like the fact that much was made of the Giants winning with rookie Kevin Boss in his place.

"Jeremy brought great energy to the game every time he stepped on the field," said Giants team president John Mara, son of the late Wellington Mara, a longtime owner of the team. "He had a close relationship with my father from the time we drafted him, and I had a couple of long conversations with Jeremy this spring and summer. From those conversations, it was apparent to me that a fresh start was the best thing for us and for Jeremy."

The Giants, a proven winner without Shockey in the lineup, cut ties with a player who provided plenty of excitement on the field and plenty of distractions off it — once throwing a cup of ice in the stands during a playoff game in San Francisco, criticizing Giants fans for leaving a game early, blaming New York coach Tom Coughlin's staff for a loss in 2006 and skipping voluntary team workouts in favor an offseason program run by his agent.

The Giants also unload the remainder of a five-year, $31.2 million contract extension Shockey signed in 2005.

Shockey had 371 catches for 4,228 yards and 27 touchdowns with the Giants. He was drafted out of Miami with the 14th pick in the first round of the 2002 draft.

Last month, Shockey said, "If the team trades me, I promise you I'm going to make them pay.

"If I ever get a chance to play against a team that trades me, it's not going to be a pretty sight."

Reports: Urlacher's

contract is extended

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears and linebacker Brian Urlacher agreed to a contract extension through the 2012 season, according to published reports.

The Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times reported the extension is worth $18 million, including $6 million for signing. The Bears declined to confirm the deal.

Players were scheduled to report to training camp in Bourbonnais, Ill., today.

Urlacher, entering his ninth season, signed a nine-year, $57 million contract in 2003 that would have expired after 2011. Last season, he played with an arthritic back condition and also had minor offseason neck surgery.

The 30-year-old Urlacher, who was born in Pasco, has been selected for the Pro Bowl six times.

Notes

• The New York Jets placed disgruntled tight end Chris Baker, 28, on the active-physically unable to perform list, along with backup linebacker Jason Trusnik, 24.

Baker, angry because the Jets have declined to renegotiate his contract, missed a portion of minicamp last month after tweaking his back during practice. He was reportedly fined by the team for missing an injury-treatment session.

• Reserve safety Donte Nicholson, 26, of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reportedly was Tasered twice and arrested during a weekend scuffle with police officers at the entrance of a St. Petersburg nightclub.

Nicholson was charged with misdemeanor battery and resisting arrest without violence. He was released after posting $300 bond.

• Receiver Chad Johnson said he will report on time for Cincinnati's training camp, but noted his surgically repaired ankle probably will prevent him from fully participating.

Johnson, 30, also said he wants to move on from his failed attempt to maneuver a trade. He had threatened to sit out the season if he wasn't dealt, but the Bengals declined to trade him, turning down an offer from Washington before the draft in April.

"I was going through a situation where I felt a change was needed," he said. "It didn't work out. Hey, I'm back. Get ready for the show."

• Defensive end Jason Taylor, traded by the Miami Dolphins to the Washington team for two draft picks Sunday, appeared at a news conference in Ashburn, Va. The six-time Pro Bowl selection clashed at times with Dolphins officials because he participated in ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" television show rather than working out with the team this offseason.

Of his discussions with Washington officials, the 33-year-old Taylor said, "We have not talked about anything besides football. There's no dancing, unless we're celebrating a big play."

First-year Washington coach Jim Zorn said, "Our pass rush has improved dramatically with a Pro Bowl player like Jason."