A few weeks ago, when the Giants were 11-1 and cruising through the last third of their schedule, most of us (me included) thought they'd have no trouble getting along without Plaxico Burress. Even though the team suspended Eli Manning's favorite target for the rest of the year, and general manager Jerry Reese never explicitly ruled out Burress' return, conventional wisdom had Burress playing elsewhere in 2009. Shockingly, conventional wisdom isn't always right. Particularly after the Giants dropped two in a row. And now, not only are they playing for homefield advantage, but if they lose to the Panthers tonight, next week's game against the Vikings could decide who gets a first-round bye.
In any event, NFL.com's Adam Schefter thinks Burress could be staying put.
But now, if Burress can avoid being incarcerated - and that's a mighty big if - the Giants might consider recycling. ...Fair point on LT, but I remember hearing former Giants tight end (and LT teammate) Mark Bavaro say that never once did Taylor bring his off-field issues into the locker room. Never was he late for a meeting, or ignored his coaches, or any of the other things Burress has been accused of.
Coaches around the league agree that New York's offense just is not the same without Burress. Without him, teams can stick more defenders in the box, shut down New York's running game and worry less about the Giants' passing game.
Plus, the franchise always has shown an inclination to work with troubled but talented players, from Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor to Super Bowl hero David Tyree.
That said, the Giants' offense has disappeared in recent weeks, and I'm guessing the organization might be willing to overlook "Plax being Plax" if it means more points.
The Plaxico Burress Saga
Plaxico Burress surrendered to police Dec. 1 and was charged with two counts of illegal handgun possession. The Giants announced that he won't play the rest of the season. Click through to see how things have gone wrong for Burress since the Super Bowl.
Louis Lanzano, AP
David Tyree had the highlight reel catch of Super Bowl XLII, but Plaxico Burress had the game-winner. Eli Manning found Burress in the end zone for the championship-clinching catch - easily Burress' greatest moment as a pro.
Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
Unhappy with his contract situation, Burress skipped the Giants' mandatory summer mini-camp and then sat out much of the preseason with an ankle injury. Then, shortly before the start of the regular season, the Giants agreed to a five-year, $35-million contract extension with the disgruntled receiver.
Evan Pinkus, Getty Images
No mandatory mini-camp, no preseason, no problem. In New York's Week 1 win over Washington, Burress made 10 catches for 133 yards.
Seth Wenig, AP
In a stunning Week 6 Monday night loss to Cleveland, Burress scored a touchdown but was otherwise shut down - part of a sub-par season that has seen Burress fail to top 100 yards in any game other than the opener.
Diamond Images / Getty Images
Burress had a bit of a meltdown in the Giants' Oct. 19 win over San Francisco. The NFL fined him $45,000 for his actions in that game, when he verbally abused an official and threw a ball into the stands. That came just two weeks after the Giants suspended Burress for their Oct. 5 game for missing a team meeting.
Evan Pinkus, Getty Images
In an easy New York win over Baltimore during Week 11, Burress tweaked his hamstring. It was that injury that sidelined him him for Sunday's game against Washington.
Kathy Willens, AP
The latest Burress moment: Out at a club, just hours after it was reported that he would be inactive against the Redskins because of his hamstring injury, Burress suffered a gunshot wound to his leg - self-inflicted by accident.
Stephen Dunn, Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-21-2008 @ 3:04PM
Wade said...
Brandon Jacobs being hurt hasn't helped the offense either. That could probably be mentioned.
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12-21-2008 @ 5:58PM
Mitchell B. Sandlin said...
Plax has been out of many games this year because of his antics. Yeah, he is good, not great receiver. Because of hs size he will be hard to replace.
That being said, the trouble the last two weeks has been the defense failed to tackle or cover Westbrook, right, AP? Last week the O Line was just beat up and BJ was out. If the line was well we still could have run the ball.
Manning had no time to throw in either game. The team is OK if BJ and the O Line are well.
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12-21-2008 @ 8:08PM
ken said...
Again a spotswriter tries to make his opinion a fact. First of all, Burress is an average at best receiver, just look at his stats. Secondly, the Giants should have no problem winning without him. How many other games has he missed before the latest episode, and what was the Giants record when he was out? Go ahead and research, and of course when you see what their record was you will not be able to comment.
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12-24-2008 @ 8:30PM
Robbie said...
These big paid sports players are having to pay all these high, fine and dont give it a second thought, I volunteer at a boys home, to teach bible class, if the players seen these boy and hear some of their story they would appreciate their success more. rmcelveen_2000@yahoo.com
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