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. ...More