Burress Will Be Back

Plaxico Burress entering a Manhattan courthouse on August 20. He accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to two years in prison on felony weapons charges. Photo credit: Hagen for News

Plaxico Burress pleaded guilty to felony weapons charges on Thursday morning. He shot himself in the thigh in a Manhattan night club last November, and now has accepted a plea deal that will keep him behind bars for two years. Burress’ actions were downright stupid, but don’t be surprised if, when he is released from prison, he gets another job in the NFL.

In the NFL, it doesn’t matter what you have done, only what you can do. The future is always what is valued more, which is why so many criminals are still playing in the league. Guys like Leonard Little, who killed a civilian while driving drunk, are still in playing. Michael Vick, the best example of a player returning to the league after a prison sentence, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles just last week.

Vick, in a recent poll, was named the most hated athlete in the United States. He engaged in dogfighting for six years, electrocuting and killing dogs that were not good enough to fight. He lied about his actions to the commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell. He lied to the owner of the Atlanta Falcons, the team he was playing for at the time, Arthur Blank. Yet when Vick’s legal commitments were through, Goodell conditionally reinstated him, allowing him to participate in all team activities, as well as playing in his team’s final two preseason games. A decision on when he can play in the regular season will be made by Week 6, at the latest.

What Burress did doesn’t even compare to the heinous crimes Vick engaged in. Yes, Burress violated the law by carrying an unlicensed and loaded firearm in the state of New York, but he harmed no one but himself. Vick, on the other hand, hurt hundreds of innocent dogs over a span of half a dozen years. And as we stand today, Vick is once again playing in the NFL.

Burress deserves to spend time in prison, there’s no doubt about it, but compared to the crimes of others who are still playing football, his looks mediocre. There is certainly a level of ignorance to Burress, who decided to bring his gun into a crowded nightclub, but that won’t matter to coaches when he is released from prison. What will matter is what he can bring to a football team.

When he is released from prison in 2011, Burress will be 34 years old. While he will have been away from the game for two years, that may not be a bad thing. Look at this way: Burress will avoid being hit, battered and bruised for two years. Most NFL receivers at 34 have endured years and years of punishment and at that point are near the end of the their careers. Burress, on the other hand, will not have as much wear and tear as his fellow players. The situation will be similar to Vick’s, who has been away from the game for two years, in that both will have avoided two season of punishment that comes with playing football.

Most important is the fact that Burress is an extremely gifted wide receiver. For his career, Burress has had 7, 845 yards receiving on 505 catches, good enough for 15.5 yards per grab. Those numbers alone will make some coaches jump at the chance to sign him when he is released from prison. Burress is the rare wide receiver who commands a double team. There are very few in the league who make defensive coordinators devote two players to a single wide receiver, and Burress is one of them. Burress, during his time with the Giants, was the most important player on the team, bar none. Without him, the New York Giants likely would not have won Super Bowl XLII. His size — 6-5, 232 pounds — makes him a big target that teams have trouble defending. He acted as a safety blanket for quarterback Eli Manning, and a very good one at that. Last season, the Giants looked to be Super Bowl contenders once again — until Burress shot himself. He was suspended by the team for four games, and the Giants were never the same. They lost three of their final four regular season games and proceeded to lose to the Philadelphia Eagles at home in the Divisional Playoffs. It was clear that without Burress, Manning and the Giants weren’t nearly as effective.

This offseason, Burress was released from the Giants. A number of teams, reportedly including the New York Jets, Chicago Bears and Tamba Bay Buccaneers, were interested. Steering them away from signing him was the fact that there were questions surrounding his legal troubles. Would he be able to play in 2009? Would he have to go to trial during the season? Obviously, Burress is now in jail, but when he comes back in 2011, he’ll be a free man with no more legal entaglements.

Also working in teams favor is the fact that public relations won’t be as big a problem with Burress as it will be with Vick. There is some outrage regarding the fact that he acted like an idiot, but no one is picketing the courthouse in Manhattan is protest of what he did. There’s no PETA standing the way, no Human Society he must work with to reshape his public image. Now, one action Vick has taken that Burress would be wise to follow is having a mentor. Former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy is Vick’s formal NFL mentor. Dungy is a great man who has already helped Vick greatly, and he could do the same for Burress.

With Burress, it’s about the way he handles himself on a team. He was a regular ‘no show’ at team meetings and constantly didn’t participate in practices. He was at times a distraction to the Giants, but man could he play. Teams will be somewhat cautious because of those distractions, but it probably won’t stop one franchise from signing Burres. That’s because no matter what, talent always wins out in the NFL.

UPDATE: In a statement, the NFL said that Burress will face no punishment when he is released from prison. “Commissioner Goodell said Burress will be reinstated and eligible to sign with an NFL team upon the completion of his sentence.”

For $97m You’d Better Be Able To Guarantee Me Something …………..

It must be me ! But for all sense and purpose with the thought that the upcoming collective bargaining agreement is about to be opted out of by the NFL owners . I find it somewhat bemusing and a little perplexing that the New York Giants would offer their quarterback Eli Manning a six year contract extension that’ll pay him $97 milllion dollars with incentives.

Giants' quarterback Eli Manning speaks with the reporters after arriving for the start of the team's training camp in Albany, NY,. They were no doubt keen to hear the player express his views, having just been made the recipient of the most lucrative contract in the franchise's history . picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Tim Roske .......................

That being said it’s enough that the Players’ Executive Director DeMaurice Smith has yet to state his views on the rookie salary contracts , as well as how the league’s most revered players . The older NFL veterans have been left out in the cold as to their pensions and medical benefits . Much like his predecessor Gene Upshaw , Smith has remained tight-lipped on the issue. Merely stating that this issue will be raised with the NFL Commissioner , Roger Goodell when they come to the table to deal with the renegotiating of the collective bargaining agreement.

Giants' fans seated , watch the team at their training camp on the campus of the University of Albany in Albany , New York . picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Mike Groll .........................

That being said with the league not wanting to face a situation , wherein the 2010-11 season would be operated without a salary cap. It’s paramount that an agreement be hammered out, that is amicable for all of the parties concerned. Furthermore , with the economic climate now being in the state that it is in. It won’t be at all easy to think that the NFL or the NFLPA will be able to operate from a position of power when it comes to the negotiations. Not with the broadcast networks and cable outlets that in large part pay out the bulk of the revenues gleaned by the NFL , will be prepared to overpay for tv rights to the NFL’s product. If anything they just like any of the corporate entities across the country , aren’t at all sure when this economic downturn will end. In many respects many of the outlets are cutting their budgets and laying off staff , as part of their cost cutting measures.

For Giants’ GM Jerry Reese , this may well be what he best viewed as a way to retain the services of the franchise’s Superbowl MVP winning quarterback. Manning’s current contract was due to expire at the end of this upcoming season. And it called for him to be paid $9.4million in 2009.

For this Giants’ team often viewed as on the better franchises within the NFC. It has to be said that this upcoming season they’re expected to be amongst the presumptive favorites to garner a playoff berth. Albeit, that within the always competitive NFC East , they’ll be up against the usual suspects in what has been determined to be the best and most competitive division in all of the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles , Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins , in large part always come to play.

This season with coach Tom Coughlin in tow , he seeks to bring back some resolute toughness to a team that lost its stride as the year wore on. And coming of a (12-4) season, where they won their division with some ease. The playoffs proved to be something of a profound letdown for the franchise and their fans. As a great deal more had been expected of them.

Reese and the Giants’ coaching staff saw fit to replenish the team’s roster with players in the draft , who they feel can make a valid contribution to the team’s ambitions. And it has to be said that even with the loss of their former wide-out Plaxico Burress due to his ongoing legal problems. There’s no reason to believe why this team can’t at all be successful once again, this season.

Manning talks to his wide receiver Steve Smith during the team's training camp. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Mike Groll ........................

Source : The Washington Post

Giants Make Manning NFL’s Richest Player ….

By Mark Maske of The Washington Post

Quarterback Eli Manning has agreed to a contract extension with the New York Giants that will give him the highest average annual salary in the NFL , a source familiar with the negotiations said Wednesday.

The six year extension is worth about $97.5 million , said the source , who spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been officially announced. It includes approximately $35 million in guaranteed money the source said, and runs through the 2015 season.

With the extension , Manning is set to make $106.9 over the next seven seasons. That’s an NFL-high average annual income of $15.27 million.

The former top overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft led the Giants to a Superbowl in the 2007 season and was selected to his first Pro Bowl last season. He has led the Giants to the playoffs in each of his four full seasons as an NFL starter.

According to the New York Daily News, Giants’ General Manager Jerry Reese told reporters Wednesday he’s hopeful that the finishing touches will be applied to the deal soon but declined to confirm the widely reported contract terms. Reese said he believes that Manning is worthy of such a contract.

“He’s a franchise quarterback”, Reese told reporters, according to the Daily News. “He’s come in , he takes a lot of flak from you guys and just keeps going. He does what we ask him to do on the field. He’s a good football player”.

Oakland Raiders’ cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha previously had the league’s highest average annual income , at $15.1 million per season. He signed a three-year $45.3 million contract in the offseason . That included $28.5 million in guaranteed money.

Manning’s older brother, Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning , has a contract worth about $14 million per season.

In five seasons, Eli Manning has thrown for 14,623 yards with 98 touchdown passes and 74 interceptions. He threw for 3,238 yards last season , with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions , and was the league’s 14th-rated passer.

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Osi Umenyiora addresses members of the press prior to the start of the Giants' training camp. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Tim Roske ...........................

The fate of the team , may well lie in the demeanor of Manning , how he’ll carry himself, with the now renewed and heightened expectations as to his onfield performances. And most certainly that air expectance will go hand in hand as to not only the salary he’s being paid. But also the enormity of the task he now faces in having to live up to that contract.

Defensively the team will see the return of defensive stalwart Osi Umenyiora . Who’ll renew his defensive tandem partnership, beside teammate Justin Tuck . As good a defensive set of ends as you’ll find anywhere in the league. And in some eyes they may well be the quintessential pair of defensive players who can wreak havoc on an offensive line and get to the opposing quarterback for the sack.

On the offensive side of the things, the loss of Burress’ll no doubt hurt . But the Giants’ running game ought to more than compensate for that . And the fact that Coughlin will no doubt orchestrate his offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride to deem what is advantageous for the team in its endeavors to become an even more potent offense. If everything should then fall into place. Then look for the New York Giants to have their eyes firmly affixed on raising the Lombardi Trophy. But as I alluded to earlier the caveat will be predicated upon the form shown by the franchise’s quarterback. As he goes , so too, might the fortunes of the New York Giants.