Time to wave bye-bye to Burress

by Ed Valentine on Nov 30, 2008 8:07 AM EST in News Comment 25 comments

I really didn't want to be discussing something like this on game day -- especially a game day against the Washington Redskins -- but the Plaxico Burress situation demands some attention this morning.

Personally, my emotional, gut reaction is that I could care less if Burress never puts on a New York Giants uniform again.

Forget his tremendous talent. Forget what he did for the Giants last season. Forget about what kind of players the Giants have as replacements.

Tom Coughlin and Jerry Reese built a championship team largely because they have a roster filled with players who have bought into the 'team before self' philosophy Coughlin has preached. All except for Burress, that is.

He is the one player who has continued to march to his own drummer, to do what he wants when he wants.

The Giants as a group have continued to show the hunger to win even after being crowned Super Bowl champions. That, largely, is responsible for their 10-1 record going into today. There is no complacency.

Again, except for Burress. He is the one player who seems to have the 'I got my ring and I got my money so now I can do whatever I want' attitude.

This incident makes it obvious, though, that Burress' issues run a lot deeper than just skipping practices and being late for meetings. This goes right to the heart of what kind of person Burress is.

Thank God Burress shot himself Friday night and didn't 'accidentally' put a bullet into Antonio Pierce or another innocent bystander. Burress is in enough trouble for illegally carrying a concealed -- and loaded -- weapon. Luckily for him, something far worse did not happen.

Burress has been a distraction most of the season, but the Giants have been able to play through it. Now, though, he has taken it to a whole new level. Maybe this incident will wake him up and get him back on the right path, but I'm not counting on it.

The Giants have a great thing going. They are in the midst of what could be a historic back-to-back championship run, and possibly a New England Patriots style run of several elite seasons in a row.

Right now, Plaxico Burress is the one issue that threatens to crack the foundation of the empire the Giants have built.

I could care less about Burress' talent. Keeping that foundation solid, not letting anyone or anything chip away at what the Giants have built, has to be the franchise's priority.

If that means cutting Burress loose, so be it.

Other Reaction

Mike Lupica: Burress no longer worth the trouble
Gary Myers: A huge test for the Giants
Ralph Vacchiano: Pierce could also have legal problem
New York Post: Bye-bye, Burress?
Ian O'Connor: Cutting Burress is the right thing to do

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Getting worse

Just heard on ESPN that Pierce might be charged too because he helped Plax get out of the club. If this is true, then things are about going to get a hell of a lot worse. He could definitely take down the whole team with him if AP gets charged. Oh man, this is could be very bad and if this occurs, then I definitely never want to see Plax in a Giants jersey again.

by potroast on Nov 30, 2008 9:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Word is

AP might have helped him get rid of the gun, since Plax was carrying it illegally. This is terrible.

by potroast on Nov 30, 2008 10:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pierce

Some of those details can be found here. AP will be in deep doo-doo if this turns out to be correct.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 30, 2008 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Resolve

This will show what kind of resolve this team has. If they can get through this incident and put it behind them, they are truly a championship team for years to come. I just hope this bozo Burress doesn’t drag Pierce down with him.

For christ sake this guy has a wifw and a one year old child. If he was feeling in need of security, then hire a bodyguard. He certainly can afford it.

Giants fan from Zantac to Prozac.

by Murfdog on Nov 30, 2008 9:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Pierce

That seems to be a big concern right now. What the hell was AP doing out with him on a Friday night in the first place? At the very least I would like to see Burress suspended for the remainder of the season. The organization simply can’t allow Plax to destroy what it has built.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 30, 2008 9:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ap is a grown man

assuming the Giants are curfew in a hotel he’s allowed to go out after work like millions of other people.

by DoctorK16 on Nov 30, 2008 10:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think this a bit overreaction

I realize the narrative with the Giants has been team first and it should be that way on the field. But off the field these are still human beings, with their own needs and desires. If Plax want to go out on a Friday night, they’re allowed, like a lot of other people in their 20s and early 30s going to the club is part of the deal. Having a gun can understand, although I think it’s unwise, post Sean Taylor(and Eddy Curry and Antone Walker). Pro athletes are rich and criminals know that. I think the gun is stupid because it’s likely only going to cause accidents in a drunken club environment, hire professional security for that. Really Burress clearly wasn’t trying to hurt anyone and made an ass of himself, and no one else. I wouldn’t pay him for the two weeks he’s out and let it be and let Morgenthau handle the rest.

by DoctorK16 on Nov 30, 2008 10:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Plax is allowed to go out. But you are not allowed to carry a concealed weapon into a nightclub. Why can you understand carrying a loaded weapon? If you need a loaded weapon to go someplace, that’s not a place you should be in — especially when you have a family and are jeopardizing a career. Sorry, it’s indefensible.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 30, 2008 10:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Weapons and Athletes

I can understand guns because of how much of a target athletes can be. Think Darrent Williams and Sean Taylor who was murdered, the later in his own home. Richard Collier and Julius Hodge who were shot in their cars driving and minding there own business. Eddy Curry and Antone Walker who were victims of brutal home invasions.I generally think concealed weapons is public are not a direction anyone should go, because they don’t work IMO,and their not legal in a lot of places(rightfully so IMO). Having them in places you’re going to be out drinking is also a recipe for trouble. However, I can understand the fear that would make Burress want to have one. It’s been proven athletes, especially, young, black ones might not even be safe at home. A mixture of wealth, plus jealous criminals puts them in the crosshairs. No doubt this is on Burress mind when he grabs his gun.

by DoctorK16 on Nov 30, 2008 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But the problem is

these guys are grown men who should know better than to put themselves in places where they can be targets. Yes, they have a right to go out. Guys like Burress never seem to learn that, though. Carrying a loaded weapon into a nightclub is not defensible, I really don’t care what the circumstances or who you are.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 30, 2008 11:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but you can be a target at home, Ed

If you’re not out and about thugs will still come find you apparently. BTW, the Latin Quarter is an upscale spot, it’s not a place where I would say trouble should find you.

by DoctorK16 on Nov 30, 2008 11:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I understand that

But, carrying a loaded weapon out with you is going looking for trouble. Nothing good is going to happen when you are packing. Like I said, constantly amazes me that these guys are so stupid. You’ll never in a million years convince me that there is any justification for Plax, or any athlete, carrying a gun into a nightclub.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 30, 2008 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Article

ESPN had a piece up earlier this week on security in the NFL as part of the Taylor retrospective.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3711012

Some selected quotes.

Rothlisberger

The one time I was scared the most, I didn’t have anybody with me. I don’t want to relive all the details, but this guy brandished a weapon in my face. I kept my cool and talked my way out of it. People showed up and helped get rid of the guy. That’s when I decided to have someone with me all the time.

Dunta Robinson

I never owned a gun, never thought I needed a gun—until I was robbed at gunpoint in my own home.

It was a Saturday. I’m watching college football on my couch. I look up, and guys are barging into my house, pushing guns in my face. Laid down, duct-taped, arms and legs bound behind me on my living room floor, with my kids pushed into a closet.

by DoctorK16 on Nov 30, 2008 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I just read that bit about AP

So Plax made an ass of him too. Did we learn nothing from Ray Lewis. Never cover up in these kinds of incidents!

by DoctorK16 on Nov 30, 2008 10:02 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

You're comments re Burress are right on target, Ed.

You could see this kind of thing happening a mile away. Let’s hope he doesn’t take AP down with him.

by george cronin on Nov 30, 2008 11:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thank you, George

I am hoping he doesn’t take AP, and that the dominoes don’t wind up taking down this team.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 30, 2008 11:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The team will get through this and would

get through a lot worse. I don’t care if Plax had the talent of Moss or Hutson, the team is better w/o him.

by george cronin on Nov 30, 2008 12:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

"The organization simply can’t allow Plax to destroy what it has built."

Says it all. I really was counting on him striaightening outbut apparently his attitude problem was not a short term thing……………….
Let’s have a look at that Manningham kid!

We're only gonna score 17 points?

by big blue wrecking crew on Nov 30, 2008 12:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

couldnt be more wrong

probably the worst thing ive ever read on this site. really poor job.

by kendynamo on Nov 30, 2008 1:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Dynamo

You’re way in the minority on this. The point is plax has been a huge problem all year, and you simply can’t continue to tolerate it. The giants have an opportunity to do something truly special, and can’t let one guy blow it up.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 30, 2008 4:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the problem i have

it’s not like he’ll be blackballed. Some one else will pay him a buttload

by queler on Nov 30, 2008 10:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i dont care if im in the minority

i still think yours and everyone’s reaction is total BS. plus it doesnt look like this is going to be a distraction or jeopardize anything the giants can do. teams stick together, they dont cut and run after someone makes a mistake. im glad im not on a team with any of you cowards.

by kendynamo on Dec 1, 2008 12:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs