The New Orleans Saints are no longer interested in trading for Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey.

Supposedly.

Saints G.M. Mickey Loomis indicated that the team’s pursuit of the volatile, but talented, tight end has ended in a Thursday interview with Sirius NFL Radio. 

“It’s no secret we had some discussions with them and we just couldn’t come to a conclusion on the right compensation,” Loomis said.  “I understand that.  He’s a very good player and the Giants don’t want to just give him away – unless they feel like they’re getting really good value.  But for the most part that’s dead. . . .  I don’t anticipate that being rekindled.”

Unless, of course, the Giants soften their demands.

But will they?  As we’ve previously pointed out, Shockey is scheduled to make a reasonable $1.9 million base salary in 2008, and if the Giants were to trade him they’d suddenly have little or no depth at the position in the event that Kevin Boss gets injured.

The question will be whether and to what extent Shockey will opt to be a pain in the butt during mandatory minicamps or training camp.  If he disrupts what has become a surprisingly solid locker-room situation, the team might simply decide to get what it can and move on.

And this reality creates a natural incentive for Shockey to be disruptive, especially if the Saints intend to continue to tamper with the relationship between the Giants and Shockey by making public comments confirming their interest in giving Shockey what he reportedly wants — a ticket out of New York.

So, basically, getcha popcorn ready.