Saints coach Sean Payton called Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey one of his favorite players this week.
“If I was one of his favorite players I might still be there,” Shockey said in response via Steve Reed of the Gaston Gazette.
The Saints clearly made the right move getting rid of Shockey; he would have only got in the way of Jimmy Graham this year. You also get the sense the Saints would have let go of Shockey a year sooner if not for Payton’s loyalty to him.
Still, the man who caught the go-ahead touchdown in the Super Bowl is a little salty about being let go.
“I have a lot of respect for everyone in that organization, but that was first time I have ever been cut or released in my life so I’m not going to sit here and say I don’t have a bitter taste in my mouth about being pushed off to side and being told, ‘see you, good luck,’” Shockey said.
Shockey, who is off to a productive start in Carolina, suffered a concussion last week. He will play Sunday regardless.
“My head has always been a little loopy.”