EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — With their patience running out, the Giants handed down their own verdict on Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress on Friday — receiver dismissed.
The Giants released Burress a little more than four months after the 31-year-old accidentally shot himself in the thigh with an unlicensed gun in a New York City nightclub.
“I am an optimist, and I believe most situations can be worked out,” general manager Jerry Reese said. “We hung in there as long as we could in hopes that there could be a resolution to this situation other than the decision we made today to release Plaxico.
“It wasn’t to be, so now we have to move on. Like everybody else here, we want nothing but the best for Plaxico, and we are appreciative of the contributions he made to this franchise.”
Burress has not spoken publicly about the shooting. His attorney, Benjamin Brafman, noting that he is a Giants fan, called the team’s decision a huge mistake.
“He is a good man, a good football player, and I only hope that with the benefit of hindsight the Giants don’t ultimately regret this decision,” Brafman said.
Burress’ four-year tenure with the Giants was highlighted by a game-winning touchdown catch in the Super Bowl against the previously undefeated Patriots in February 2008, but it was also dogged by fines and suspensions.
Burress’ status has been uncertain since he shot himself in the thigh Nov. 29 with a gun he’d stuffed into his waistband. He faces a felony weapons charge that could put him in prison for at least 3 1/2 years if convicted.
Burress’ case was adjourned Tuesday while his attorneys and prosecutors worked on a possible plea agreement. He is due back in court June 15.
Redskins attempt to console Campbell
ASHBURN, Va. — Having failed to land Jay Cutler from the Broncos, the Redskins worked to mend fences with quarterback Jason Campbell.
“We met with Jason (Friday) and had a candid discussion,” executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said. “We told Jason that when Jay Cutler became available, we, like many other NFL teams, spoke with the Broncos. We are all on the same page and we are moving forward.”
Cerrato’s statement was the team’s first acknowledgment that it had tried to acquire Cutler, who instead was traded Thursday to the Bears.
Cerrato, owner Dan Snyder and the Redskins now have to be concerned that Campbell will feel as slighted with the Redskins as Cutler was with the Broncos. Cutler became disenchanted in Denver when he learned the team had tried to trade for Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel.
“I would say it was a very successful meeting because everyone expressed themselves and made it clear what we want to try to accomplish,” Campbell said.
Vick’s plan to reconcile debt rejected
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Fallen NFL star Mi- chael Vick told a bankruptcy judge that he became a changed man in prison and is determined to do all the right things upon his release from prison, including repaying his creditors with the millions he hopes to resume earning in professional football.
But after more than three hours of testimony in which Vick laid out what he called his “exit strategy,” U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank J. Santoro rejected it. Santoro told Vick to draft a new Chapter 11 plan, one with a bit more certainty.
Santoro said there is no guarantee the league will have the 28-year-old player back and suggested he start on a new plan by considering liquidating one or both of his Virginia homes and three cars he had planned to keep.
A status hearing is set for April 28, but Santoro set no deadline for submission of a new plan. Vick is pinning his hopes of emerging from financial ruin on returning to the NFL. He remains indefinitely suspended, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has not said whether he will reinstate Vick after his July release from the federal penitentiary in Kansas where he is serving a 23-month sentence for a dogfighting conspiracy.The Associated Press
