When retired NFL players take jobs as TV analysts, they often hesitate to express strong opinions about their former teams, lest they offend their friends who are still in the locker room.

Michael Strahan doesn’t seem to have such qualms.

Strahan, the former Giants defensive end who was introduced as FOX Sports’ newest analyst yesterday, wasted no time in expressing an opinion about Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey.

“He doesn’t want to play here; that’s obvious with everything that’s going on,” Strahan told Neil Best of Newsday.  “I don’t think you gain much by keeping a guy around.  Regardless of how well he plays for you, there’s always that tension, and that’s one thing you can’t have if you’re expected to go back and repeat. . . .  I think the best thing for them and for Shockey is if they have the opportunity, let him go.”

The Giants were widely reported to have had the opportunity prior to and during the NFL draft, when the Saints were interested in acquiring Shockey’s services.  But the team’s front office has said it expects Shockey to be the Giants’ starting tight end this season.