Eli Manning hilariously compares Giants' Cam Skattebo to Jeremy Shockey

Although he played in only eight games as a rookie, New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo made a name for himself early last season.

When the Giants selected Skattebo in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft, they knew they were getting a bruiser. At this point, his talent may already be exceeding those expectations.

Skattebo has become a fan favorite for his aggressive running style. Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning recently compared him to former Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey.

“Yeah, it's almost like a Jeremy Shockey a little bit. It's like that guy who is a little bit off, but you know, he brings that intensity and you appreciate that. And he brings it every day," Manning said on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. "It's not just game day. It's in practice. And if you're not bringing 100 percent, he's gonna run you over. He's gonna stiff-arm you. He only has one way of practicing, and it's the same way he plays.

"I think that's what you see with Skattebo, and it can be energizing. You know, it brings an intensity to everything he does. He's gonna run hard. That's his style. Everybody knows it. And when he runs over somebody, or you can see it in the fourth quarter and guys get tired of hitting him or being in there — you know, he's not letting up. So you've gotta know you better bring it against him.”

Former Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz compared Skattebo to Ahmad Bradshaw last season.

Shockey played a different position, but his style is a closer match. Like Shockey, Skattebo has a wild personality and a violent running style built on initiating contact. He looks to punish defenders and wear them down the way Shockey did in his prime.

That intensity, and his obvious excitement for the game, is infectious for teammates. It is a big reason he has become popular with fans, just as Shockey did during his time with Big Blue.

That same intensity may or may not have played a role in Skattebo’s recent scuffle with defensive teammates. Future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski, who idolized Shockey growing up, recently praised the Giants for playing old-school football — the same compliment Shockey directed at Skattebo at the end of last season.

The similarities make Manning’s comparison ring true. The two are cut from the same cloth, and Skattebo’s presence is something the Giants will continue to benefit from on and off the field.

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