Former New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey, renowned for his own bruising, contact-seeking style during his playing days, has heaped praise on rookie running back Cam Skattebo, drawing clear parallels to his own aggressive approach on the field.
In an exclusive interview with Hard Rock Bet, Shockey spoke glowingly about Skattebo’s performance before his season-ending injury and the throwback physicality he brings to the game.
“He was amazing to watch, and it’s awesome to see two rookies come in and play great together like he and (Jaxson) Dart did. Hopefully, they’re able to play a long time with each other, and they’re so fun to watch,” Shockey said. “Cam’s got amazing energy and power. It’s so fun to watch him on TV, and you can see how he energizes the whole team. I really appreciate the way he plays, and I’m sure the fans do, too.
“It’s awesome to see how big his heart is, and he plays every snap with such courage and excitement. He’s another amazing young talent the Giants currently have. I’m sure he’ll be healthy pretty soon, so he should be ready to go when next season comes around.
“They have a great core of young guys on the team. So, whoever the Giants decide to hire will probably be an offensive-minded coach, and they’ll be able to have fun with these two amazing talents on offense. It’s going to be fun to watch.”
Asked if Skattebo’s style feels like a breath of fresh air in 2025, Shockey didn’t hesitate.
“It’s so fun to watch as a fan. He is an old-school throwback type of player. I’ve been a fan of Skattebo’s since he was at Arizona State because of his style of play and attitude,” he said. “It’s great to see that there are still players who play like he does. I know everyone is appreciative of how he plays.
“He and Dart have many good years ahead of them.”
Shockey’s enthusiasm clearly stems from seeing a kindred spirit in Skattebo — a tough, violent runner who attacks contact rather than avoiding it, much like Shockey did as one of the most feared tight ends of his era.