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Plax suspended for skipping practice, ignoring calls
Less than a month after handing the man who caught the winning pass in the Super Bowl a new $35 million contract, the Giants on Wednesday suspended Plaxico Burress for a game for missing a practice and not calling to explain his absence.
Burress' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, claimed the nine-year veteran did not attend Monday's workout because of a family emergency that has now been resolved.
The suspension took effect immediately, meaning Burress — who will appeal the ban to the NFL Players' Association — will not be allowed to return to team activities until the day after the Seahawks game. He will miss two paychecks, totaling $235,294.12 of his $2 million annual base salary.
Rosenhaus said that Burress spoke with Giants special assistant Charles Way late Monday, but he added there was "miscommunication" between the player and the team.
Take a seat, Plax
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The Giants suspended Plaxico Burress for two games without pay for insubordination. Jay Glazer has the on the minor mess in New York.
When asked specifically why Burress did not telephone the team on Monday to discuss the absence, Rosenhaus avoided answering the question.
"Again we're acknowledging that there should be some repercussion, but not to the extent where he is denied his right to perform his livelihood to play," Rosenhaus said in a conference call.
Rosenhaus said the NFLPA has not advised him when an arbitrator would hear the appeal.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said the Super Bowl champions were making a loud and clear statement about being responsible.
"We have had success here because of the team concept," Coughlin said after practice. "And the team concept means basically that everyone is accountable and responsible and that we don't let the other guys down. And that is what we are trying to do."
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Coughlin insisted the suspension will not be a distraction: "This is a team that is focused and displayed mental toughness and they will do the same thing with regard to this."
Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese informed Burress of the suspension Wednesday morning before the team held practice.
"I think he was very surprised and very, very disappointed," Rosenhaus said of Burress' reaction to the suspension. "I spoke with him immediately after his meeting. ... He certainly did not anticipate his conduct would lead to him being suspended."
Burress was not immediately available for comment. He was off to a great start this season with a team-high 18 catches for 259 yards and a touchdown.
"It is something we just have to deal with and move on," said quarterback Eli Manning, who found out late Monday that Burress was not at Giants Stadium. "That is what our focus is, get ready for Seattle and try to get a win there."
Second-year pro Steve Smith didn't think twice when he noticed Burress was not at the receivers meeting on Monday.
"Plax is Plax, he does what he wants," Smith said. "I don't see him a lot, so I thought it was a normal day. I didn't know if he was going to come or not. I didn't know he was getting in trouble for that, so we never know when it comes to Plax."
Burress has had other problems with the Giants since signing as a free agent in 2005. He was benched for the opening quarter against San Diego early in 2005 for being late for a meeting. He said his wife was pregnant and he went with her for a test.
Burress was upset this summer after the Giants refused to negotiate his contract after the Super Bowl. He refused to practice during a mandatory minicamp in June and was fined $42,000. The Giants signed Burress to a two-year contract extension just before the opener that will bump his salary into the $7 million range over the next five years. The deal included $11 million in guaranteed money that will be paid this season.
Burress then caught 10 catches for 133 yards in a 16-7 win over Washington.
Burress caught the winning 13-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of the Giants' 17-14 win over the Patriots in the Super Bowl. And despite playing on a sprained right ankle all last season, Burress had a team-high 70 receptions for 1,025 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns. He added 18 catches for 221 yards in the postseason.
Burress caught 209 passes for 3,227 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first three seasons with the Giants, with all the touchdowns being thrown by Manning.
Wide receiver is one of the Giants' deepest positions. In addition to Burress, there's Amani Toomer, Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss, Domenik Hixon and rookie Mario Manningham.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Member Comments
I for one, am sick and tired of the lack of dicipline and responsibility of this nation's professional athletes. If any of them commit a crime, then I believe they should pay a price just like the rest of us do, and should. He should not be allowed to continue to be somebodies roll model because of his profession, and continue to be a problem of society. I have a niece who has been subject to domestic violence and it is an ugly thing. He is in prison, and anyone like him should be as well. That's my oppinion, and I am, intitled to it!
kcnotark9/26/2008 11:15:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
yoo hoo, slayer dude. I'm looking for you. I have a pill I need to give you.
SniperFire9/26/2008 9:06:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I really really love him. He is attracted by lots of beautiful women like me. We have a good <br />talk on the FREE sexy&wealthy dating site ' R i c h M a t c h M a king . c 0m'. I am a part-<br />time model. He said I am his ideal match.
Jeanssexy39/26/2008 6:02:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Ode to Coolslayer#1:<br /><br />It's not Drool,<br />In your Pool,<br />It was Cool,<br />The Fool,<br />Leaving you a Stool
droolsprayer19/26/2008 5:47:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Trade Plaxico to Detroit for a #1 and a wide receiver now and be done wit hthe nonesense. A team doesn't need this type of distractions. It makes it tough on the other palyers, they don't want to come off as rats but it hurts the team concept. Shouldn't have to answer question regarding this type of stupidity.
Sonny80449/25/2008 20:40:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
what does bblue56's mother have in common with zztop? they both get food stuck in their beards when they eat!!! hahahahahehehehe
bigreddy9/25/2008 19:53:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
The NFC south will beat out the NFC east in the playoffs so yall keep talkin trash,see ya in january
sssog9/25/2008 19:50:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
or better yet, put bblue56 between two slices of bread, and have us a **** on rye! hahahahehehe
bigreddy9/25/2008 19:46:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
let's put blue56 on the grill, and have us a B_E_Y_A_T_C_H BARBEQUE!!!!!!!!!
bigreddy9/25/2008 19:43:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
What do Cowboy fans and cereal have in common??<br />They both think "therrre GGGreat!!!"
BBlue569/25/2008 18:33:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Romo ran like a H Omo and did his best impression of Farve after the pressure kicked his ask
BBlue569/25/2008 18:30:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
really it was the lack of what dallas did to lose the game, then the giants actually beating us! it is easy to talk crap about your giants, like you knew they were gonna be the champs! gimme a break! hahahahahehehehe
bigreddy9/25/2008 16:34:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
actually the highlight of the cowboys season was winning 13 games, and taking the nfc east crown!!! romo is far superior to the manning baby!!!
bigreddy9/25/2008 16:31:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Romo also choked in the playoffs in college. She played in three straight division 1-AA Championships ('00-'02) and lost all three times. She's a natural born choker.
MisterWizzard9/25/2008 16:10:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Texas shark all i can say about the cowboys is you are like the yankees - counting old championships. Add the son of a bum what have you done for me lately? Ask romo, what have you EVER won for us? Asdk the pats if going 18-0 matters when you choke on your tongue in the end. Same with TO, he has lots of rings too, right? It is ok to hate and have pain. I feel for ya. I would love a beer or two when you play us and beat us two times probably during the season. Becasue all that means is we get to come back down in playoffs and make poor Jerry Jones crazier. Kind of reminding me of Al DAvis jumpin on the field and walking all over the poor coach in Dallas. Save your smack for January, you won a ton of games last year and choked. The year before, Romo fumbled a snap. hahahahah the stuff they teach you in pop warner. Dallas is done with Jones as the owner. Doesn't get it. Cant have a bunch of prima donna superstars - need to have players play as a TEAM. The rest of the USA laughs at Dallas. You think TO will cry again at year end though for us? That was worth everything.
GoGiants19639/25/2008 14:47:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I was kind of hoping that maybe Mr. Burress might straighten up & fly right after he got more money that he was whining about. I can't think of any reason why he could not only fail to operate a telephone, but to not return calls fron the team too . That's just childish.
macaldwell669/25/2008 13:33:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
texasshark<br /><br />Beating the Giants during the regular season will once again be the highlight of the season for the Cowboys. Come playoff time, when it really counts, the Giants will once again prove who has the better team while the Cowboys will once again be pondering wether or not Tony Romeo will be the one to lead them to a title as they make another early exit.
Grayrider9/25/2008 13:03:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Nope. If Manning played for the CowChicks they'd have won something meaningful by now.
MisterWizzard9/25/2008 13:01:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Put Eli on the cowboys and Romo on the g-girls and each team would win the same number of times. It take all 53 and the coaches to make it happen. See ya soon g string girls your going to get hurt, bring your nurses!!
TEXASSHARK9/25/2008 12:57:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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