December 1, 2008 New York Giants Injury Report: OC Shaun O’Hara left the game against the Redskins in the first quarter with a sprained knee but returned in the second quarter.
“(O’Hara) came right back in and he is obviously sore today (on Monday),” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “And he is going to be in the training room working on that. And we will see to what extent he is affected and whether or not he can practice, or practice full on Wednesday. We will see as we go along. I thought he showed great toughness going right back in.”
CB Corey Webster also injured his back in the game. “He was a little stiff and tight in the back today (on Monday),” said Coughlin. “But I don’t know that that is an issue.”
Latest on the Plaxico Burress and Antonio Pierce Situation: WR Plaxico Burress surrendered to NYPD authorities yesterday morning. Burress was charged with possessing a loaded firearm with intent to use it unlawfully against another person and with possessing a loaded firearm outside of his home and place of business. Burress was later led in handcuffs to a Manhattan courthouse where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. Burress was released after posting $100,000 a bail. Burress’ next court appearance is scheduled for March 31, 2009.
“I think a lot of what’s been in the press is not accurate,” said Burress’ lawyer. “But I think we’ll sort that out in court.”
“I stopped trying to predict outcomes,” said Burress’ lawyer. “My hope is it plays out well and he can continue his career because he’s a good person with a brilliant athletic career and it would be a terrible sadness if an isolated incident could ruin a life.”
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg contends that Burress will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Bloomberg stated that under New York law if you are convicted of carrying a loaded illegal handgun “you go automatically to three-and-a-half years in the slammer…And I don’t think that anybody should be exempt from that. And I think it would be an outrage if we don’t prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”
Bloomberg also harshly criticized the Giants for not notifying police authorities about the shooting incident. “The Giants didn’t call,” said Bloomberg. “And the Giants should have picked up the phone right away as good corporate citizens. I don’t care whether (there is) the legal responsibility for them to do it.”
The Giants released a statement saying they are working with police authorities. “We are working closely with the police and NFL Security. In the early hours of Saturday morning, as we started to get a sense of what we were dealing with, we did, in fact, notify NFL Security, which then contacted the police.”
Meanwhile, according to SportsIllustrated.CNN.com, $23 million of Burress’ current contract is based on future earnings. SportsIllustrated.CNN.com says that Burress is due a $1 million bonus on December 10. Further details of the contract are provided at SportsIllustrated.CNN.com. The Star-Ledger is reporting that Burress could actually lose almost $32 million. See details at NJ.com.
Head Coach Tom Coughlin only briefly commented on Burress yesterday during his regularly-scheduled media conference call. “The NY Police Department and the NFL Security and the Commissioner’s office are all conducting investigations,” said Coughlin. “Due to the nature of that, obviously there is not much that I’m going to say…Today (on Monday) we (the Giants) have had some (internal) discussions (about Burress). Those discussions will be ongoing.”
Burress was moving without the aid of crutches yesterday and did not appear to be limping despite the gunshot wound to his right leg. Technically, Burress is required to show up at Giants Stadium today to receive medical treatment for his injured right leg (hamstring and gunshot). ESPN is reporting that the Giants have notified Burress that he must report. Last night, Burress’ agent said Burress would report to the team today.
“I’m very touched by the way the Giants have handled this,” said Burress’ agent. “We have not talked about the contract. They’ve not talked about him playing. They’re concerned about his health, his well-being and his welfare about the human being. Through all my conversations their last concern is about football, it’s about Plax the person.”
Two other Giants who were at the nightclub when Burress accidentally wounded himself were MLB Antonio Pierce and HB Ahmad Bradshaw. Pierce is still be investigated for his role in the incident, including reports that he removed the firearm from the premises and possibly stashed it. Contrary to some media reports, HB Derrick Ward was not at the club.
For a good overview of the Burress situation, see Giants Debating What to Do With Troubled Burress by Thomas George of NFL.com. For a Star-Ledger editorial on Pierce, see Loyal to a Fault, New York Giants’ Antonio Pierce Learning a Tough Lesson by Steve Politi.
Notes: The 11-1 start by the Giants is the best in the team’s 84-year history.
The Giants have won seven games in a row. The last six have been against teams with winning records. The Giants can tie the record for most consecutive victories against teams with winning records if they beat the Eagles on Sunday. The 1970 Minnesota Vikings hold the record with seven consecutive wins.
In three of the last four games, the opposing quarterback was the leading rusher against the Giants.