Did you ever have a cough that just wouldn't go away? An allergy that produced sneezing and watery eyes for what seemed like six months? A tune that skips merrily through your head and will not leave?

Speaking of endless ordeals, there is still talk of the Giants trading tight end Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints.

The difference now is that there is talk of a draft choice (or choices) for 2009, and not a player-to-be-added. That should come as a mild relief for safety Roman Harper, who was alleged to be the other part, along with the Saints' second-round draft choice last month, of the trade.

"It almost went down on draft day," said one observer close to one of the two teams, "but the Giants wouldn't budge on Harper and the Saints wouldn't give him up. So they just decided to put it off."

Now, it seems, both sides want to see what Shockey does this season, in terms of receptions, yardage and touchdowns, while checking to make sure he doesn't cause too much of a ruckus in the locker room or on the field when he feels slighted that Eli Manning has had the audacity to throw to someone else. But that doesn't coincide with the guy's take on the situation.

"(Head coach) Sean Payton wants him (Shockey) for this season," he says, "so what they are trying to do, as I understand it, is to work out the details of a deal."

The trade being discussed would involve the Saints' first-round pick for 2009, plus a fourth-round choice that could escalate to a second if he has one of those super seasons, like 70 catches, 800 yards and half a dozen touchdowns.

In truth, keeping Shockey would probably be a better deal for the Giants. He is one of the NFL's best blocking tight ends and the energy he brings to the team -- sometimes positive, sometimes negative -- remains overall a healthy influx. He is intense and competitive and if he is a little annoying, he isn't the only one in the league with such a reputation.

But now the reports are that Shockey has told the Giants he wants to move on, which hasn't been confirmed by either side. If it proves true, he would be best moved. With his flash-point personality ready to boil over, keeping him against his wishes could result in Shockey being disruptive. He missed the team's final two games of the season and all four playoff games, the final being the 17-14 upset of previously undefeated New England in the Super Bowl. He is said to be upset with all the statements that the Giants won it without him and therefore he is no longer needed.

Without him, the Giants would be left with Kevin Boss, the fifth-round draft choice rookie of '07 who filled in for Shockey and did surprisingly well; Michael Matthews, the free agent rookie who turned out to be a superb blocker; and Darcy Johnson, who missed the entire '07 season with a knee injury.

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