Saints acquire tight end Shockey from the Giants

Jeremy Shockey was traded to the Saints for two draft picks Monday, giving New Orleans a disgruntled star tight end who watched from afar while injured as the New York Giants surged to the Super Bowl title.

The Giants will get second- and fifth-round picks in the 2009 draft. The deal must be approved by the NFL and is contingent on Shockey’s passing a physical.

The deal reunites Shockey with Saints Coach Sean Payton, who was the Giants’ offensive coordinator in 2002, when Shockey was rookie of the year.

Shockey, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who spent six seasons with the Giants, broke his leg against the Washington Redskins on Dec. 16.

He is known for his offensive ability more than his blocking, and was unhappy even before the injury -- he was asked to block in addition to catch. Once hurt, he didn’t like the fact that much was made of the Giants winning with rookie Kevin Boss in his place.

“Jeremy brought great energy to the game every time he stepped on the field,” said Giants team President John Mara. “. . . . I had a couple of long conversations with Jeremy this spring and summer. From those conversations, it was apparent to me that a fresh start was the best thing for us and for Jeremy.”

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Receiver Chad Johnson said he will report on time for the Cincinnati Bengals’ training camp next weekend, but his surgically repaired ankle will probably prevent him from fully participating.

Johnson also said that he wants to move on from his failed attempt to maneuver a trade.

“I was going through a situation where I felt a change was needed,” he said.

“It didn’t work out. Hey, I’m back. Get ready for the show.”

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The New York Giants signed former USC cornerback Terrell Thomas, their second-round draft choice. Terms were not disclosed. . . . The New England Patriots signed free-agent tackle Anthony Clement, a 10-year veteran. . . . The New York Jets put disgruntled tight end Chris Baker on the active-physically unable to perform list. Baker, angry that the Jets have refused to renegotiate his contract, sat out part of minicamp last month after hurting his back.

GOLF

Valdes leads U.S. Junior Amateur

Jorge Fernandez Valdes, a 15-year-old golfer from Argentina, shot a seven-under-par 65 to take a three-stroke lead over Seth Reeves after the first round of the U.S. Junior Amateur at Shoal Creek, Ala.

Whitsett is trying to become the first repeat winner since Tiger Woods won three straight U.S. Junior Amateurs from 1991 to 1993 and is well-positioned to be among the 64 who advance to match play after two rounds of 18-hole stroke play.

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Michelle Wie will play next week in the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open, the first time she’ll play on the PGA Tour this year, tournament organizers said.

It will be her eighth time playing on the PGA Tour, and she has yet to make a cut.

MISCELLANY

Flyers sign Lupul to contract extension

Forward Joffrey Lupul and the Philadelphia Flyers agreed to a four-year extension, keeping him with the Eastern Conference finalists through the 2012-13 season.

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The Kings acquired left wing Richard Clune from the Dallas Stars for right wing Lauri Tukonen. Clune, 21, spent last season in the minors. Tukonen, 21, has skated in five career NHL games with the Kings.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers reserve safety Donte Nicholson was Tasered twice and arrested during a weekend scuffle with police officers at the entrance of a St. Petersburg, Fla., nightclub. He was released after posting $300 bond.

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Tommy Robredo beat Frederic Niemeyer, 7-6 (4), 6-1, in the opening round of the Rogers Cup at Toronto. . . . Two-time Grand Slam event champion Mary Pierce withdrew from France’s Olympic tennis team because of a knee injury and was replaced by Pauline Parmentier. . . . Doubles specialists Frantisek Cermak and Michal Mertinak were suspended by the ATP for betting on tennis matches. Neither player wagered on his own matches, and an independent hearing officer found no evidence of intent to affect the outcome of matches bet upon.

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Robinho was dropped from Brazil’s Olympics men’s soccer team after a medical examination discovered the striker has a groin injury.

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Shane Beschen of Sunset Beach, Hawaii, a former runner-up on the World Championship Tour, was among the heat winners in the round of 196 at the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach.

Beschen advanced to today’s round of 144. Other heat winners included Micah Byrne of Huntington Beach, Nick Rosza of Oxnard and Brent Reilly of Carlsbad.

-- Dan Arritt

PASSINGS

Holtzman, 82, created baseball’s saves rule

Jerome Holtzman, a longtime baseball writer who made the Hall of Fame, created the saves rule and later became Major League Baseball’s official historian, has died. He was 82. Story, Section B.