CHANDLER, Ariz. — Using the old “spending time with my family” excuse, New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was roughly 45 minutes late for his morning news conference Wednesday.
The media waited patiently as his prediction of a Giants victory grew in magnitude. Before flying to Arizona for Super Bowl XLII, Burress, the Giants’ top receiver, predicted a 23-17 victory Sunday. Which might not be a big deal, except the Giants are playing the New England Patriots, who are 18-0.
“The only thing about a prediction is you have got to make it happen,” Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss said. “I think the pressure is more on them now since they’ve guaranteed this victory.”
A Patriot would say that, as most everybody else believes all the pressure is on the team trying to not ruin its perfect record.
“We’re only going to score 17 points?” Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said of Burress’ prediction. “OK. Is Plax playing defense? I wish he had said 45-42 and gave us a little credit for scoring more points.”
Burress’ teammates have supported his bold statement, but Giants coach Tom Coughlin wasn’t happy about the possibility of enraging the Patriots.
“I will speak to Plaxico in a private way and that’s where it will remain,” Coughlin said.
Why 23-17? Burress’ high school basketball number was 23, his Giants’ number 17. When Burress finally arrived Wednesday — at table No. 23, no less — he didn’t back off his prediction.
“It’s all entertainment,” Burress said. “Look at how this has made national headlines. I’ve always been a confident player and I’ll always be that way and will continue to be that way.
“What I said is what I said. I believe in my guys just as much as they believe in me.”
High-profile visits. Among the
notables who showed up Wednesday
at Super Bowl headquarters
were Jared, the Subway pitchman;
Archie Manning; Barry Sanders;
Brett Favre; golfer Paul Azinger
and horse trainer Bob Baffert.
