Plaxico Burress Suspended by New York Giants: The Giants announced yesterday morning that WR Plaxico Burress has been suspended for one game for violating team rules.
According to a Giants’ press release, General Manager Jerry Reese and Head Coach Tom Coughlin informed Burress of his suspension in a meeting with the player Wednesday morning. The suspension took effect immediately. Burress will miss the game against the Seattle Seahawks on October 5 and will not be allowed to return to team activities until October 6.
“We are all saddened by it,” said Coughlin. “But we want to make sure that the message is loud and clear. We have had success here because of the team concept. 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. We are trying to acknowledge one of our guys has had a violation of a team rule and we want him back and we want him back under very good terms. We try to do this thing the right way.”
It appears the reason Burress was suspended was that he missed team meetings on Monday and failed to inform the team why in a timely fashion or return phone calls from the team. “It’s a private matter and it has to do with Plax and his family,” said Burress’ agent. “He had some responsibilities he had to take care of as it relates to his family. The most unfortunate thing here is there was a lack of communication. In talking to Plax, he feels bad about that, obviously, and it’s something we can’t do anything about now.”
But it also appears that Burress and his agent will fight the suspension by taking the case before the NFL Players Association. “Its not something we think is tantamount to Plaxico being suspended for these two weeks, especially for the ball game,” said Burress’ agent. “He wants to help his teammates, his team and the coaches. And (the suspension) is something that just doesn’t sit with us and we’re going to do what we can to get this turned around…At this time, we’re trying to move ahead and see if we can avoid this suspension.”
“He’s apologetic for this, he’s remorseful about it, he’s certainly contrite,” said the agent. “I think he does have a good case here to get back…We just think it means too much to him to be there with his teammates. Again, we’re acknowledging that this is something that there should be some repercussion but not to the extent that hes deprived his right to perform his livelihood – to play.”
Giants Sign WR Taye Biddle to 53-Man Roster: To fill WR Plaxico Burress’ roster spot, the Giants signed WR Taye Biddle from the Practice Squad.
Practice Squad Moves: As reported yesterday, the Giants have signed TE Martrez Milner to the Practice Squad. The Giants have also signed WR John Broussard to the Practice Squad.
The Giants terminated the contract of TE Eric Butler, who was on the Practice Squad.
Dick Lynch Passes Away: Dick Lynch, a long-time Giants radio’ broadcaster and a Giants’ defensive back from 1959-1966, died yesterday morning after a long battle with cancer. He was 72. For more on Lynch, see:
- Lynch a True Giant of Commitment by Jerry Izenberg of The Star-Ledger
- A Friend’s Fond Farewell to Dick Lynch, Whose Giant Heart Will Never Be Forgotten by Bill Galo of The Daily News
Article on WR Domenik HIxon: New York Giants See Hixon in Burress’s Role by Jenny Vrentas of The Star-Ledger
Quotes: Wide Receivers Coach Mike Sullivan on WR Domenik Hixon: “Hixon is a young man who is a coach’s dream. He works extremely hard, he puts in extra time, he tries to work on all the fundamental fine details, and he’s a great worker, very, very tough, great stamina, so he’s someone that is very easy to coach because he takes it all in, he’s constantly trying to get better and it’s gratifying to see the improvement. You talk in the locker room and talk to a lot of guys who are excited about his success because he is such a team oriented player and such a hard worker.”