EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Imagine Jeremy Shockey two weeks into the New York Giants' season with no catches.
His arms would be waving at Eli Manning after plays, his mood would be sour and sooner or later there would be a locker room blowup that made front-page headlines.
That's not Kevin Boss' way.
Boss is the second-year player who replaced Shockey after the four-time Pro Bowler was dealt to New Orleans in the offseason, and he is not complaining after failing to catch a pass in the first two games -- well, almost.
"Richie still owes me dinner on the holding call," Boss quipped about a 28-yard reception last weekend that was nullified because guard Rich Seubert was penalized for holding.
Boss smiles when asked about his lack of catches.
"I am not going to complain now, we are 2-0," Boss said. "I have always considered myself a team player and never got into the whole statistics thing. Coach Coughlin has got us to buy into the team-first concept and that is why we have been so successful. It's a long season."
Boss said that he has been one of the main options on at least a half-dozen plays this season, but that Manning has thrown to someone else.
"They haven't forgotten about me," Boss said. "It hasn't worked out, for a number of factors."
Manning said he has looked to Boss, but found more attractive one-on-one opportunities on the outside, including a couple of deep throws to Amani Toomer.
"He is doing a good job," Manning said of Boss. "He is getting open on some things. We just have to give him the ball. I am going to go through my reads. Guys are getting open when they are supposed to be getting open."
Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride isn't overly concerned that none of his three tight ends has caught a pass. He noted that the coverages by the Redskins and Rams in the first two games dictated that Manning not throw to the tight end.
New York also has used a lot more three- and four-wide receiver packages this season with Toomer, Plaxico Burress, Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon. Smith, who has four catches for 34 yards, has been very productive in those instances.
"Kevin will get his opportunities, or whoever, and I am not concerned about it," Gilbride said Thursday. "Like everything else, usually it balances out, plays itself out, just like it did on that sail route where he had the opportunity for a big catch and gain."
While he may not be making any receptions, Boss has helped the running game with his blocking. New York is averaging 177 yards, fifth best in the league.
Boss also got an unexpected surprise recently. His older brother, Terry, was signed by the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer as a goalkeeper. He is now living with Boss and his fiancee.
"I am happy to have him. I am real proud of him," Kevin Boss said. "He has worked hard to get here."