Giants Release Burress
The New York Giants have released wide receiver Plaxico Burress, the team announced.
Burress is facing weapon possession charges and a possible prison sentence related to the November incident in which he accidentally shot himself in the leg at a New York nightclub. His case was adjourned until June 15 after Burress made a court appearance this week.
"I am an optimist, and I believe most situations can be worked out," Giants General Manager Jerry Reese said in a written statement posted on the club's website. "We hung in there as long as we could in hopes that there could be a resolution to this situation other than the decision we made today to release Plaxico. It wasn't to be, so now we have to move on. Like everybody else here, we want nothing but the best for Plaxico, and we are appreciative of the contributions he made to this franchise."
Giants officials previously had left open the possibility of Burress rejoining the team.
"Plaxico's contribution to our championship season in 2007 can never be underestimated or undervalued," Coach Tom Coughlin said in a written statement posted on the Giants' website. "He displayed tremendous determination throughout that season. Having said that, I have always been as concerned about Plaxico as a man as I have been about him as a player, and my hope is that everything that has happened over the past several months represents a turning point. He is a young man with a family who has a whole lifetime ahead of him, and I personally wish him and his family well."
Burress made a brief appearance in a Manhattan courtroom Tuesday. Prosecutors and Burress's attorneys reportedly have been negotiating a possible plea agreement but have been unable to complete a deal. A plea deal might include jail time for Burress, according to reports.
"We're trying our best to see if there is a way to resolve the case," Burress's attorney, Benjamin Brafman, told reporters following Tuesday's hearing. "Right now we have not reached an agreement."
Burress has been charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He faces a minimum prison sentence of 3-1/2 years if convicted.
The Giants and Burress are involved in a dispute over a $1 million bonus payment that the team withheld from Burress after the shooting incident. The Giants maintain that Burress violated his contract and they don't have to pay the money. The NFL Players Association contends that Burress is owed the money.
Lawyers for the league and the players' union argued the case Wednesday before University of Pennsylvania law professor Stephen Burbank, the NFL's special master who's in charge of resolving disputes between the league and the union arising from their collective bargaining agreement. The sides expect a decision next week. Burbank heard Burress's case in tandem with a similar case involving Kansas City Chiefs tailback Larry Johnson.
Burress played four seasons for the Giants and totaled 244 catches for 3,681 yards and 33 touchdowns. He had the game-winning touchdown catch in the Giants' Super Bowl upset of the previously unbeaten New England Patriots to end the 2007 season.
He signed a new contract on the eve of last season's opener and had 35 catches for 454 yards and four touchdowns last season. After the shooting incident, the Giants suspended Burress for four games for conduct detrimental to the team and placed him on the nonfootball injury list, making him ineligible to play for the club again last season. The union is challenging those disciplinary actions against Burress in a separate grievance.
By
Mark Maske
|
April 3, 2009; 4:12 PM ET
| Category:
Crime
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Giants
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League
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Posted by: ozpunk | April 4, 2009 12:10 PM
If he can survive June 15th, Skins should grab him.
He didnt use the handgun, right?? And he didnt have a prior record.. Just one stupid act. Why lose your day job for doing something stupid at night?? In that case, we'd all be out of work...
Posted by: SkinsneedaGM | April 3, 2009 10:28 PM
independent: "My wish is that the players that have committed crimes and are caught red handed admit their guilt, take the punishment and behave like we expect them to. Due process notwithstanding, does anyone but the player's agent and the dumbass union think he should get a million dollar bonus for being an idiot? He should admit he's stupid, take the deal, do community service and get on to Chicago."
In other words, don't act like those guys at AIG.
Posted by: Samson151 | April 3, 2009 10:11 PM
All the drama aside, the Jints have no one who can replace Burress. Don't forget who actually caught the winning pass in that Super Bowl victory (it wasn't Tyree). As objectionable as two teams (Steelers and NY) have found the guy to be, he's a major reason each have title rings.
You can bet Tom Coughlin missed Burress in the playoffs last year, whether or not he'd admit it.
Posted by: Samson151 | April 3, 2009 10:08 PM
He is major league headache but somebody will gamble and pick him up. Despite all his flaws he is a rare talent that opens up many options for an offense. Without him, Eli has thus far been just an average QB.
Posted by: loux24 | April 3, 2009 6:37 PM
My wish is that the players that have committed crimes and are caught red handed admit their guilt, take the punishment and behave like we expect them to. Due process notwithstanding, does anyone but the player's agent and the dumbass union think he should get a million dollar bonus for being an idiot?
He should admit he's stupid, take the deal, do community service and get on to Chicago.
Posted by: independent_tek | April 3, 2009 6:35 PM
I expect to see Plaxico in a Cowboy Uniform after he serves his sentence. Jerry Jones likes people such as TO who shoot themselves in the foot; why not a receiver who shoots a little higher?
Posted by: wcfanman | April 3, 2009 5:22 PM
At last there is an end to the Plaxico Burress saga. The Giants have been more than reasonable considering the persistent distractions to the team for the 4 years he has been a Giant. It is truly a commendable display of patience and loyalty and the Giant office and players deserve special recognition for their accomplishments during that time. Now lets get back on track...GO GIANTS !!
Posted by: VSTIMPANELLI | April 3, 2009 5:09 PM
I guess this means there isn't likely going to be a plea deal. Poor, Plax such a wasted talent but at least he can pawn his SB ring in 10 years when he is jobless and broke.
Posted by: ozpunk | April 3, 2009 4:46 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Domenik Hixon played pretty good last season, so perhaps he will step up to the starting Z spot. I think Toomer is gone too, so they may need to pick up a new slot guy there. Anyways, I think there are teams who would be willing to take a risk on Plax because the resurgence of older WRs like Moss and TO, but I worry that he may never get the chance to play again if he doesn't get a plea deal and goes to jail for a year or so.