What to make of Plaxico Burress

by Ed Valentine on Oct 20, 2008 11:00 AM EDT in New York Giants News

How worried are you about the relationship between Plaxico Burress and Tom Coughlin after Sunday's unpleasant sideline exchange between the two?

Ian O'Connor of The Record was critical of Coughlin's handling of the situation.

Hours after (John) Mara witnessed the heated exchange between Coughlin and Burress, the team president was asked if he thought the fractured relationship between coach and receiver posed a clear and present danger to the season.

"I watched Plaxico as he left the field, and obviously I didn’t like the way it looked," Mara said by phone. "But Plaxico is a very emotional player, and heat-of-the-moment things happen all the time in the NFL.

"Tom has control of the team and I trust that he can handle this."

Truth is, Coughlin didn’t handle this one at all. The points he earned a couple of weeks back for hitting Burress with a one-game suspension? He gave them all back in his 29-17 victory over the 49ers by going as light on Burress as Jerry Jones went on Pacman Jones.

William C. Rhoden of the New York Times wonders if Burress' seeming discontent will eventually tear down the empire the Giants seem to have built.

For a team and a coach, the standards of success in the N.F.L. are Green Bay under Vince Lombardi, Dallas under Tom Landry, Pittsburgh under Chuck Noll and, most recently, New England under Bill Belichick.

Outside of that group, coaches and teams merge into a clutter of names and faces.

Will the Giants’ victory in the Super Bowl in February mark the start of an era? Will the Giants be regarded as highly as the Patriots have been in recent years? Will Coughlin be placed in the same category as Belichick, the football mind of his time?

Or will the Giants be content to be among a multitude of teams that put it together for a season and won a title?

The Plaxico interlude on Sunday is a small piece of this larger puzzle.

I don't know where the Burress situation is headed, at least short-term. He did catch a touchdown pass after the blowup.

I will say I believe strongly there is no way Burress finishes the five-year contract he recently signed in a Giants' uniform. I just hope that, when the time comes to move him, General Manager Jerry Reese doesn't wait until it's too late.

Your thoughts?

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Comments

Plax...

Is Randy Moss Light. He’s a great player…when he wants to be, but he gives up on more plays than he finishes.

Who else is tired of watching him throw his arms up and start looking for a flag when a defender gets near him? If he would just finish the play he would make a lot more catches, and could help protect Eli on….some of his more interesting throws.

by Intellectual Derriere on Oct 20, 2008 11:14 AM EDT reply actions

Plax

initiates a lot of contact, too. and then on the rare occasions he gets called for it, he goes ballistic. I maintain there is no way Plax finishes his contract with the Giants. It’s just a question of how long the ride lasts.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 20, 2008 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

"...there is no way...," etc.

Sadly, I agree. Plax is a hell of a talent and a warrior to boot (much more so on both counts than Shock ever was), but he sees the world from his own unique perspective, one that doesn’t coincide with that of TC, JR and most (if not all) of his teammates. Absent a radical change of attitude, I see a trade down the line, especially given our depth at WR. His presona reminds me of the NBA’s Latrelle (SP?) Sprewell.

by george cronin on Oct 20, 2008 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

I would agree

I think one day down the road he will go too far, or dealing with his indiscretions will become more trouble than it’s worth. Sad, but true for the guy who could be the most talented receiver the Giants have ever had.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 20, 2008 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah

I will never complain about Plax getting called for Off. Pass Interference, he gets away with it just about every play.

And what the hell, Parcells is not an example of success?

by queler on Oct 20, 2008 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

Q, I don't get the reference to Parcells.

Do you mean Plax is a lot like Tuna?

by george cronin on Oct 20, 2008 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

from the Times article

For a team and a coach, the standards of success in the N.F.L. are Green Bay under Vince Lombardi, Dallas under Tom Landry, Pittsburgh under Chuck Noll and, most recently, New England under Bill Belichick.

Outside of that group, coaches and teams merge into a clutter of names and faces.

by queler on Oct 20, 2008 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

No Practico

We’ve seen all of this for a long time now, from AP’s infamous comments on his nickname (see above) to his issues as a malcontent coming out of Pittsburgh (which is the GMen got him on the cheap in the first place). So all this says to me is that we’ve got our eyes wide open on this one; no one can say that this type of behavior came out of nowhere (you know, the whole tigers doesn’t shed his stripes thing).

What the Gmen need is strong leadership. I read an interesting blurb this morning (can’t remember if it was NYP or NYT) essentially stating that Strahan could keep Plax under control and the subtext was that once Coughlin effectively gained Strahan’s trust in the locker room, he effectively could control Plax (via Strahan). Perhaps this is somewhat of a leadership void issue where Strahan is no longer around to keep Plax in line.

If that is the case, then I think that Eli needs to step up and become even more of a leader on the team, especially when it comes to issues pertaining to Plax. Eli strikes me as the type of guy capable of getting Plax’s attention (mostly because he’s the guy that gets him the ball!) so potentially this can be a way to further mitigate these issues.

by Cody K on Oct 20, 2008 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

Cody

FYI, what were th AP’s infamous comments?

by george cronin on Oct 20, 2008 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I was surprised...

to see Eli talking to Plax after the Plax/Coughlin sideline show. I’ve never been impressed with “Easy-E’s” lackadaisical attitude all the time. I was happy to see Eli at least making an attempt to be a leader and settle Plaxico down. That was certainly a welcome change from his normal “Aw Shucks” response to adversity.

by Intellectual Derriere on Oct 20, 2008 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

Oh, man

Not to pick a fight with you, but the guy led his team to the Super Bowl last season and won the MVP. When is it going to be time to let go of that ‘Easy E’ knock? Personally, I think that time has passed.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 20, 2008 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Ok, let's roll...

ETVal – I would never think to call you out on your own board…but here I might have to. Even against Cleveland, after he threw the first two picks, he just stood there with his hands on his hips – “Aw Shucks, I’ll do better next time.” Maybe it was that third pick that made him turn the corner. I mean, he “sort of” tried to make a play as the Defender skipped past him down the sideline on the way to his TD. I give him a C- for effort, but at least there was effort.

In all seriousness, he has certainly been better, but he has a long way to go to convince me. I am not an Eli fan…yet. If he continues to do things like yesterday – Talking to players on the sideline when things aren’t going well, instead of sitting at the edge of the bench looking like he’s watching Wapner – that will go a long way in convincing me that he can be the Team Leader.

by Intellectual Derriere on Oct 20, 2008 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

On that play, I thought he tried to strip the ball, not make the tackle.

Not too heady, I agree, but I don’t grade QBs for inability to tackle. (Admittedly, If he’d made the play, I would have raved about it.) Eli doesn’t have a lot of speed, but I don’t think our best QBs (Tittle, Conerly and Simms) would have come close enopugh to make the atempt. As for his attitude, I agree with jrs. Eli has a phlegmatic personality, period. There’re upsides and downsides to that. No doubt it’s easier to root for and become emotionally engaged with a fiery guy like Simms.

by george cronin on Oct 20, 2008 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

No excuse, but

You also have to remember the shot he took from Shaun Rogers in that game. I am not so sure he wanted to throw his body in there and take another hit. The game was already over, anyway.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 20, 2008 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll be the first...

to admit my emotions where running a little high by then. But it appeared to me that even with sub standard effort he could have pushed the guy out of bounds. I agree, although it pains me, he did take a big hit earlier and in his defense he might have been protecting himself.

by Intellectual Derriere on Oct 20, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I dont think it was lack of effort

I just think he took an atrocious angle. Bad, yes, but not entirely unexpected from a QB.

by cjmulrain on Oct 20, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

If you aren't convinced now

that Eli is good enough to lead this team (since he has already taken them to a title) then I can’t convince you. I’m not going to try. Apparently you fall in that “nothing will ever be good enough” segment of Giants fans.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 20, 2008 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Welcome to

10 years of My Life

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 20, 2008 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

You'll never...

get those back either!!! HAHAHAHAHAhahaha….Hahahahaha!

by Intellectual Derriere on Oct 20, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I've got your ten

beat by forty. I’m two inches shorter and seventy pounds heavier than I was at the begining.

by george cronin on Oct 20, 2008 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Ouch!

That one stings! I certainly am not a “nothing will ever be good enough” fan. I am a realist, and have seen Eli go on strings where he looks like the Eite QB we all hope and pray he will be, only to come out flat and go on an equally disappointing string.

How many times has he had a solid first half of the season only to have a mediocre to bad second half? Let’s hope he’s not showing signs of that second half swoon already.

by Intellectual Derriere on Oct 20, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

OK

I will give you that Eli will never be perfect. He will always occasionally look awful, and he will always have games where he doesn’t throw the ball where he wants to. I guess I have accepted that because he has proven that — warts and all — he has the courage and the ability to make the plays when it matters most.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 20, 2008 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

umm... I don't think you and I are watching the same games...

one of the things I’ve always said about Eli going into last year is that when he throws an interception or makes a bad play he gets all worked up and emotional, and that is when he starts making bigger mistakes like trying to force passes into double and triple coverage etc. Last year that started to change into “easy Eli”. A calm, collected and efficient game-managing QB is what makes a dynasty. Look at Tom Brady. It’s ok to get excited when you make a great play, but discipline and focus after bad plays generates respect from other players and prevents turnovers.

by NYcON on Oct 20, 2008 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm going to put on my "John Kerry" hat

And play both sides of the fence:

1. I disagree with the Hiney that its a “lackadasical attitude”
2. I disagree with the Boss that its a “knock”

I just think he is calm, cool, and collected, and rarely shaken. I think his overall demeanor is just misunderstood.

I will now get down off the fence I just played both sides of.

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 20, 2008 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

Waffler

You think you’re Sarah Palin and can be a fan of everybody? Well, you betcha you’re gonna have to take sides. LOL!!

by Ed Valentine on Oct 20, 2008 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Sarah Pallin

is hot, when does she get to be cheerleader of the week?

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 20, 2008 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

LMAO

by Ed Valentine on Oct 20, 2008 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree..

with ETVAL, Eli paid his dues, and if i remeber correctly, wait for it, ……HE WON US A SUPER BOWL. Plax needs to grow up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"18-1, Write that Book"

by BigBl42 on Oct 20, 2008 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah but

They should have retired 89

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 20, 2008 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea...

But we all know it was the Defense that won that game. Justin Tuck should have been the SB-MVP.

by Intellectual Derriere on Oct 20, 2008 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh here we go now

He just took his pumps off

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 20, 2008 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

It was a Team Effort

With the stand out play, being Eli’s escape and Tyree’s catch. Hence Eli winning MVP.

No matter what the defense did they were still losing until Eli led them down the field to take the lead.

by Woogie526 on Oct 20, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Glammar pick...

I’m not saying Eli didn’t deserve it. But honestly, if you took each players performance in that game. The MVP plays for the Patriots. Before everyone get’s all riled up, be honest, who had a better game…

Eli – 19-34 (55.8), 2TD’s, 1INT, 2Fum (0 lost)
Tuck – 6 tkl, 2 Sacks, 1Forced Fumble
Wes Welker – 11 Rec, 103 yds (44.9 of teams passing yardage, 37.5% of teams total yds)

The SB Loser has had the MVP before (Chuck Howley – SB V), so it’s not like they would have set a precedent. Eli get’s the nod because he plays the Glamour position, not because he was the best player that day. I led the chant of “MVP” after that drive, but let’s all be honest. It’s a popularity contest, and without a true standout on the winning team (losing is unpopular) the QB is going to win the majority of those.

by Intellectual Derriere on Oct 20, 2008 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions