EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Super Bowl champion New York Giants are not going to push seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan for a decision on retirement.

General manager Jerry Reese said today that Strahan deserves whatever time he needs to make a decision on whether to return for a 16th season.

"Sooner is better for us, but it is not going to weigh any decisions on what we are going to do in the draft," Reese said. "We are going to try to draft good players in the draft whether Michael is here or not."

Strahan gave Reese no indication what he intended to do at a recent meeting, Reese said today.

"If he decides to play, how long is he going to play?" Reese said. "Is it one year? Two years? Who knows if he decides to play how long he is going to play, so we will draft again just like if he is going to be here or if he is not going to be here."

Strahan missed all of training camp at the University at Albany last summer while mulling retirement. He returned just before the start of the season and helped the Giants to their third Super Bowl championship.

Reese said the Giants would like Strahan to make his decision before training camp this year.

If Strahan were to retire, the Giants would have the option of moving Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end. He started at strongside linebacker this season before a broke leg ended his season in November.

Reese also disclosed that some teams have asked him about the possibility of acquiring Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey in a trade.

Shockey broke his leg in December and missed the playoffs.

"Right now all I can say on Jeremy Shockey is that he is our starting tight end," Reese said.

Reese was adamant that he did not initiate any trade talk about Shockey. He said the two spoke recently and that the player's leg is coming along. Reese said he feels Shockey wants to remain with the Giants, but offered caution: "Anything can happen in personnel."