Giants Cut Plaxico Burress

The New York Giants surprised many Friday, announcing the release of wide receiver Plaxico Burress.

The move comes just three days after a gun possession case against Burress was adjourned until June. Burress accidentally shot himself at a nightclub late last season. The Giants suspended Burress for the remainder of the season after the Nov. 29 incident, but his attorneys have been working to get the case taken care of before the 2009 season.

The Giants say they were patient with the Burress situation, but they couldn't wait anymore. In addition to Burress' dragging legal issues, he also likely faces some sort of discipline from the NFL.

"I am an optimist, and I believe most situations can be worked out," said General Manager Jerry Reese. "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 coach Tom Coughlin, who was non-committal about Burress' potential return, also issued a statement through the team.

"Plaxico's contribution to our championship season in 2007 can never be underestimated or undervalued. 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."

Months before shooting himself, Burress did catch the game-winning touchdown pass in a Super Bowl victory over New England, and he wasn't causing the kind of trouble many figured he would when he got a big free-agent contract from the Giants.

Previously, the Giants had said they were "open" to Burress returning to the team, but it's obvious that the delays in getting his legal situation resolved had some sort of an impact on their thinking. Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News says it's not yet clear why the Giants had a change of heart and made this decision.

Plaxico Burress Saga

On April 3, the Giants released Plaxico Burress, ending his turbulant four-year stay in New York. Click through to see more how Burress' relationship with the Giants unraveled.

Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images

David Tyree had the highlight reel catch of Super Bowl XLII, but Burress had the game-winner. It was easily Burress' top moment as a pro, but what followed was far less rewarding.

Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

Unhappy with his contract situation, Burress skipped the Giants' mandatory 2008 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, all part of a sub-par season that saw Burress fail to top 100 yards receiving 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, which had him set to be inactive in Week 12 against Washington - until he suffered a more serious leg injury.

Kathy Willens, AP

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

Burress surrendered to police Dec. 1 and was charged with two counts of illegal handgun possession after shooting himself in the leg at a nightclub. The Giants also suspended him for the rest of the 2008-09 season.

Louis Lanzano, AP

Burress found himself the subject of a lawsuit in late December, allegedly for striking a woman with his car. Then in March, Burress was cited for four traffic tickets on one stop - speeding, improper display of tags, improper lane change and improper window tinting.

Chris McGrath, Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

4-03-2009 @ 4:16PM

Adam said...

Holy crap, I didn't think they'd actually do that. So I guess they'll go after a WR in the draft, or get someone like Braylon "You're Supposed to Catch the Football?" Edwards.

Also, cue speculation and rumors that the Skins will sign Plax.

4-03-2009 @ 4:28PM

checka624 said...

hahah adam, you can BET on it. If and when PLax comes back to paly in the NFL, he will sign with the Skins just to spite the giants, and he will torch them. haha hopefully he will be playing in a skins uni come 2010.

4-03-2009 @ 4:44PM

rob said...

So you're assuming that the Skins are going to get Plax and a starting caliber Qb by next year?

4-03-2009 @ 4:35PM

zakk said...

I would like to see the Colts go get Plaxico. Now with Marvin Harrison being dropped, Plax can fill the empty receiver slot. Imagine the Colts receiver combo of Wayne and Burress.

4-03-2009 @ 4:54PM

becarefulangel said...

Even with Plax, they will still choke to the Chargers in the playoffs. All the talent in the world doesn't matter when your QB has lost the ability to win meaningful games.

4-03-2009 @ 5:09PM

Ryan said...

i am a redskins fan and i hate players who are a distraction. However i believe plax is way worth it. in fact i would give campbell a extension as long as he plays decent because i feel a WR like plax can turn campbell into an elite qb. Look at eli was considered amazing when plax was there and the giants were unbeatable...u take away plax and the giants as well as eli were mediocre. Plax is an elite WR and the skins should welcome him with open arms

4-03-2009 @ 5:29PM

jeremiah said...

Im a Redskins fan too but i disagree with Ryan above. being an elite QB doesnt mean you can just throw up a floater and let a big target like plax go get it to make you look good. being an elite QB means you understand the game and are able to read defences. a young elite QB is someone like Matt Ryan, he understands what defences are trying to do and he adjusts and makes his entire offence better. even if the Redskins get Plex it wont change the fact the Jason Campbell is scared to throw the ball down field. the Skins have a burner with Santana Moss and Campbell doesnt get it to him deep. plus with shooting himself in the leg you got to wounder how that is going to effect his performance in the long run of his career, especially his ability to go deep... i doubt the Redskins would go after Plex

4-03-2009 @ 6:57PM

pauln286 said...

And that is why Pittsburgh let him walk as a free agent. Nothing was heard. Nothing was said. But the Giants soon found out how out of control he is.

The unregistered gun was the last straw for the Giants. They tried fining him, suspending him and finally now they cut him. Good decision,

Could he be the next "boy toy" for Gerry Jones?

4-03-2009 @ 10:04PM

moneynyc8 said...

this hurts ! as a giants fan . DAMN !

4-03-2009 @ 10:10PM

or dallas maybe phili

4-03-2009 @ 10:19PM

please if the giants trade for edwards or boldin I WOULD RATHER TRY TO GET A. JOHNSON FROM HOUSTON TEXANS. I MEAN TRY !!!!!!!

4-03-2009 @ 10:25PM

lrpatton said...

Jerry Jones won't be interested in Plaxico. Remember, he just let T.O. go, and T.O. never had any legal problems.

4-04-2009 @ 2:53AM

marc said...

If Plax is able to play this year i hope the Skins do sign him. All of the sudden moss cannot be double covered and Campbell can throw to the guys who can actually catch for a change (e.g. moss and cooley).

4-04-2009 @ 3:41AM

olddutchlofts said...

Your all dreaming. He'll end up in the AFC someplace before he plays for any of your scrubby teams.

4-04-2009 @ 7:58AM

Randy said...

You know if Plaxico Burress was smart..............................well, never mind!

4-04-2009 @ 12:42PM

mssolange said...

6 of the Giant's 10 picks for Larry Fitzgerald. I like that no matter how outlandish.

4-05-2009 @ 2:10PM

cantstopdrinkin said...

Your all missing the most obvious (and dangerous team if they can get him) choice of team that will go after Plax ..... the Bears. They finally got themselves a franchise QB and they are gonna want to take away any reason the Cutler would have to complain and bitch about and the most obvious is they have no recievers. Im not a Bears, Cutler, or Plax fan but if they get him in combination with Cutler, Hester, and that D the Bears would be one of the favorites this year....

4-05-2009 @ 2:18PM

4-06-2009 @ 11:57AM

Lex Kobo said...

Sorry all you dreamers. But the reality of the situation is plax is gonna serve at least 2 years. You just cant carry and unregisterd gun in NYC, shoot yourself, and get away with it. By the time he gets out hes gonna be 34 years old and out of the NFL for 2.5 years.... I'd say his career is pretty much over. Lets go get Aquon Boldon!