Tom Coughlin Noncommittal on Plaxico Burress' Return Next Season

Plaxico Burress has been very busy these past five months, even though he hasn't suited up for an NFL game since Nov. 23. A quick refresher: hours before Burress took the field for the season opener, the club signed him to a five-year, $35 million deal. Less than a month later, the team slapped him with a two-week suspension for insubordination. We also learned that Plax stiffed a rental car company out of almost $800, and racked up a $45,000 fine from the NFL for, well, a lot of stuff.

And then, days after Thanksgiving, he accidentally blew a hole in his leg. The Giants promptly "Keyshawn-ed" Burress for the rest of the season. There's more: New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg threatened to throw the proverbial book at Plaxico, another lawsuit, and the news that Burress' home doubled as an armory.

Yet, through it all, general manager Jerry Reese admitted that it's "absolutely" possible that Plax returns to New York in 2009. Head coach Tom Coughlin, apparently, didn't get the talking points.

"I'm not ready to say that," [Coughlin] said yesterday on WFAN when asked if he would welcome Burress. "We need to sit down and think about it and talk about that and to see what the circumstance might be." ...

"I told everyone, I told the world Plaxico is a member of our team and I am concerned about him and for his well-being and that of his family," Coughlin said. "But the issues I have to think about are that there are 52 other guys in that locker room, as well."

Also worth thinking about: without Burress, Eli Manning doesn't have a legit deep threat, and as the final six game showed, that's a huge problem. That said, Coughlin's right; on-field productivity aside, at some point, it's just not worth the hassle. Obviously, the Giants' front office hasn't reached consensus on this, but maybe they won't need to. As MDS mentions, Burress is facing felony gun charges; he might not be playing anywhere in '09.

Plus, there are plenty of big-play wide receivers who can make it through a season without shooting themselves, and I have all the confidence that Reese can find one. Worst case: maybe the Giants end up with this guy. Hey, at least he's never been arrested.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-15-2009 @ 10:21AM

droz65 said...

We consider Buress a GIANT that is unfortunately potentially facing the end of his career as an NFL player, such as Michael Vick had to last season...Therefore, to even say whether Buress will be a GIANT can ony be determined by his legal results...He maybe incarcerated this year for a minimum of 3 years, considering the NY Mayor's determination. Also, if he happens to get acquitted, and we take him back, for whatever reason, then, trust me, there will be a heavy evaluation of his pschycological status, physical health, demeanor, genuine attitude displaying repent and remource...But, I doubt he'll even be a free man. NY courts are going to try and nail him making him an example. And, HELLLLLLLL NO!!!
WE DO NOT NEED OR WANT T.O. aka TERRELL "TROUBLE MAKER" OWENS!!!
T.O. may not be a criminal, but he disrupts a locker room waaaaay more than ANY other team mate in the NFL has EVER done....Not even close to Buress' mishaps. FORGETABOUTIT!!!!

1-15-2009 @ 12:20PM

andsso said...

Buress must GO. I would rather lose than have to need him. I am sure the GIANTS given a littie time can find an acceptable WO. GOOD RIDENCE BURRESS.

1-15-2009 @ 12:31PM

I don't know about rather losing vs. having Buress, but I get what you're trying to say....We definitely can win without him and have...Except for last 5 games, we managed to get 12-4 with him playing in about 6 out of the 16 games, yet, with lack of any production from him. Although, his mere presence on the field is enough to make our offense more of a potent threat. Safeties HAVE t5o respect his presence, thus, not cheating against our run. Until, HIXON becomes a more consistent threat deep, Toomer, if we even kept him, doesn't get open with one on one coverage, which he's failed been covered, yet, often fails to do minus Buress in line up, lately, then, we will continue to go thru these woes of inconsistent dominate offensive play against opponents. Especially, those with better defenses.
And, I just beleieve that Eli doesn't know, or should I say, is not used to throwing to the under 6' ft. recievers...He throws high upon release and it exposes smaller WR's to LEAP for his passes...Exposing them for hard hits and or deflections and INT's.

1-15-2009 @ 1:00PM

mitchbsandlin said...

The mandatory sentence for carrying a concealed handgun in NY with out a proper permit is 3 years (I also heard 3 and 1/2 Years.

Added to that is carrying a cioncealed loaded handgun in a place where alcohol is served.

Plax will get the mandatory sentence plus at least a year for the 2nd charge. Forget about him, he is toast.

1-15-2009 @ 1:06PM

mrsparky said...

Burress had tremendous potential coming out of college and was a first round pick by the Steelers. He immediately exhibited the identical negative character traits in Pittsburgh that brought him to the troubles he finds himself in presently. Yes, a gifted athlete. That said, he proved to be a devisive and trouble-prone member of the team. The Steelers management let him go to free agency. Didn't even try to trade him. The Steelers don't seem to be any the worse for the "loss" of Burress, do they? The Giants should have seen the writing on the wall.

1-15-2009 @ 3:20PM

I agree, when we first acquired Buress I had mixed feelings about him because of the history I knew of him from Pittsburgh...Poor work ethic, attitude, immaturity...Same as I did when we acquiered Coughlin as a coach...Coughlin's hard nose past with Jacksonville and how he wasn't the "player's coach" made me feel he might not work out...He almost didn't, but we all know the history from there...But, it all worked out, regardless...Everyone maybe deserves a second chance, but not 3 and four, etc..Like Adam PacMan Jones, etc...Nevertheless, Buress got a ring for his on the field contributions with the GIANTS...Unfortrunately, due to his off the field antics he may never have that opportunity again with any team. Let alone the GIANTS.

1-16-2009 @ 6:39PM

mssolange said...

Time for the Giants to draft a WR.

1-18-2009 @ 6:48PM

tyesha1992 said...

I LOVE ME SOME PLAX
LEAVE HIM ALONE MAN ITS NOT LIKE HE DISRESPECTED THE TEAM LIKE FAGGOT ASS BARBER.HE'S JUST HARD HEADED LIKE SHOCKEY. AND LETS MAKE THIS CLEAR::
the GIANTS are NOT DESPERATE. we do NOT want trash on our team[t.o.]. we'll have a better chance signing buddy boy from the bengals like we origanlly planned.
ALTHOUGH HAVING PLAX BACK WON'T BE SUCH A BAD THING.