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Posted <ABBR class=value id=article-time title=2009-04-03T13:12:32-0700>32 minutes ago</ABBR>
19 Comments 2 Recommendations E-mail
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Giants part ways with WR Burress four months after shooting
Associated Press
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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants released Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress on Friday, a little more than four months after the talented but troubled wide receiver accidentally shot himself in the thigh in a New York nightclub.
"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."
Burress' four-year tenure with the Giants was highlighted by a game-winning touchdown catch in the Super Bowl against the previously undefeated New England Patriots in February 2008, but it also was dogged by fines and suspensions.
Burress' status has been uncertain since he shot himself in the thigh Nov. 29 with an unlicensed gun he'd stuffed into his waistband. He faces a felony weapons charge that could put him in prison for at least 3 1/2 years if he's convicted.
Burress' case was adjourned Tuesday while his attorneys and prosecutors worked on a possible plea agreement. He is due back in court June 15.
Burress, who was suspended by the Giants for the final four weeks of the season for conduct detrimental to the team and fined after the shooting, also faces possible NFL sanctions for violating its personal-conduct policy.
The delay in ending the case in court earlier this week appeared to play a role in the Giants' decision.
"I am an optimist, and I believe most situations can be worked out," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said in announcing the decision. "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."
Plaxico Burress, WR
Career Statistics
Catches: 505
Yards: 7,845
Average: 15.5
Touchdowns 55
Burress, 31, caught 344 passes with the Giants, which places him 12th on the franchise's career list, one catch ahead of Earnest Gray and three behind Aaron Thomas. Burress had 3,681 receiving yards and caught 33 touchdown passes for the Giants.
Burress' Giants teammates had been supportive about his possible return. The Giants lost four of their final five games after Burress was suspended and placed on the non-football injury list, meaning he also couldn't appear in the playoffs.
The Giants finished 12-5, losing at home in the playoffs to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Giants, who signed Burress to a five-year, $35 million contract extension in September.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Posted <ABBR class=value id=article-time title=2009-04-03T13:12:32-0700>32 minutes ago</ABBR>
19 Comments 2 Recommendations E-mail
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Giants part ways with WR Burress four months after shooting
Associated Press
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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants released Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress on Friday, a little more than four months after the talented but troubled wide receiver accidentally shot himself in the thigh in a New York nightclub.
"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 general manager
Jerry Reese said in announcing the decision to release Burress.
Jerry Reese said in announcing the decision to release Burress.
Burress' four-year tenure with the Giants was highlighted by a game-winning touchdown catch in the Super Bowl against the previously undefeated New England Patriots in February 2008, but it also was dogged by fines and suspensions.
Burress' status has been uncertain since he shot himself in the thigh Nov. 29 with an unlicensed gun he'd stuffed into his waistband. He faces a felony weapons charge that could put him in prison for at least 3 1/2 years if he's convicted.
Burress' case was adjourned Tuesday while his attorneys and prosecutors worked on a possible plea agreement. He is due back in court June 15.
Burress, who was suspended by the Giants for the final four weeks of the season for conduct detrimental to the team and fined after the shooting, also faces possible NFL sanctions for violating its personal-conduct policy.
The delay in ending the case in court earlier this week appeared to play a role in the Giants' decision.
"I am an optimist, and I believe most situations can be worked out," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said in announcing the decision. "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."
Career Statistics
Catches: 505
Yards: 7,845
Average: 15.5
Touchdowns 55
Burress, 31, caught 344 passes with the Giants, which places him 12th on the franchise's career list, one catch ahead of Earnest Gray and three behind Aaron Thomas. Burress had 3,681 receiving yards and caught 33 touchdown passes for the Giants.
Burress' Giants teammates had been supportive about his possible return. The Giants lost four of their final five games after Burress was suspended and placed on the non-football injury list, meaning he also couldn't appear in the playoffs.
The Giants finished 12-5, losing at home in the playoffs to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Giants, who signed Burress to a five-year, $35 million contract extension in September.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
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Thanks for the memories during the 2007 season. Especially abusing Al Harris in the NFC championship game and making the game winning catch in the Super Bowl.
After saying that, it seems like Plax is getting some bad advice about what he should do in this situation. Not taking a plea deal because he doesn't want to do (apparent) jail time. Not wanting to restructure his contract and having Drew Rosenhaus send out an email saying Plax is willing to be traded.
After saying that, it seems like Plax is getting some bad advice about what he should do in this situation. Not taking a plea deal because he doesn't want to do (apparent) jail time. Not wanting to restructure his contract and having Drew Rosenhaus send out an email saying Plax is willing to be traded.
I suspect he's getting good legal advice. He's certainly paying enough for it. But getting good advice and following that good advice are two different things.
I can appreciate not wanting to do time. But if your $400 an hour lawyer says if you go to court, you're going to lose and it's 3.5 years or you can cut a deal, get a year, serve 8-9 months...maybe you should listen to him.
I think the Giants cut him loose because they saw the handwritting on the wall, he's going to jail and he's not going to play this year.
