Guest Flyboy Report post Posted January 25, 2003 East Rutherford, N.J. - Jeremy Shockey, who perhaps had the best rookie season of any Giant in history, today was honored as the 2002 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year at a press conference in San Diego, site of Super Bowl XXXVII. Shockey, the Giants’ first-round draft choice in 2002 out of the University of Miami, led all NFL tight ends with 74 receptions and 894 receiving yards this season. His 74 receptions set a team record for both rookies and tight ends. His numbers were the second best marks in NFL history for rookie tight ends behind Keith Jackson’s 81 receptions in 1988 and Mike Ditka’s 1,076 yards in 1961. “This is an unexpected honor to win this award,” said Shockey, who was the only rookie named to the Pro Bowl, which will be played next week in Honolulu. “If you would have told me two years ago that I would win this award, I would have said you were crazy. I will cherish this award and continue to work hard.” Other finalists for the award were Green Bay Packers safety Marques Anderson, Houston Texans quarterback David Carr, Cleveland Browns running back William Green, and Denver Broncos running back Clinton Portis. The five finalists were chosen after tabulating this season’s fan voting. Each week, five nominees were chosen and NFL fans voted for the week’s winner on the League’s Website—NFL.com. The Pepsi Rookie of the Year award was voted on by more than 350,000 fans on NFL.com between January 1 and January 20. Shockey was nominated for the Pepsi Rookie of the Week award five times this season, winning the award in Weeks 11 and 16. In accepting the award, Shockey thanked Giants tight ends coach Mike Pope (who was in attendance) and teammate Dan Campbell, the incumbent tight end when Shockey joined the team. He also thanked this mother, Lucinda. Shockey was presented the award by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. “The talent level in the NFL is better than it has ever been,” Tagliabue said. “There are great young players in the league right now.” Shockey just might be the best. That comes from Giants.com. For people who are wondering, Portis won the AP Rookie of the Year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kkktookmybabyaway Report post Posted January 25, 2003 Well, I'd rather win the Pepsi Rookie of the Year because you probably get Pepsi... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Flyboy Report post Posted January 25, 2003 Indeed. But, I hate Pepsi. That shit is disgusting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly Report post Posted January 26, 2003 Yeah, there should be a Dr Pepper Rookie of the Year Award. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted January 26, 2003 Maybe we should give out a Rookie of the Year award. Next year, I say a bunch of us go to the site of the Super Bowl, set up a lemonade stand, and hand out the Smart Marks Rookie of the Year Award to the most deserving newcomer. If he can't make it, we'll give it to his agent or his second cousin on his mom's side or whatever. He'll get a free account on the board and everything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Your Paragon of Virtue 0 Report post Posted January 26, 2003 I'm actually thinking that the Pepsi Rookie of the year award will have more credibility than the actual AP one. C'mon, No other rookie compared to Shockey. Biggest team impact, plus most promising tight end since Tony Gonzalez. This guy lived up to the hype, leaving us to wonder what Alge Crumpler is doing right now... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DrTom Report post Posted January 27, 2003 At least Portis won the real award. Besides, Shockey's not the best young player in the league. Hell, he's not even the best young player at his position. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest imajackoff? Report post Posted January 27, 2003 Gee, a soda company picked a hyped up New York player for some mickey mouse award. Im stunned. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mole Report post Posted January 28, 2003 I'd rather get the AP award than the Pepsi award. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
