Former New York Giants wide
receiver Plaxico
Burress is negotiating with several NFL teams to return to pro
football this season after a judge delayed his trial Monday on gun
possession charges.
Burress made a brief appearance in court Monday, accompanied by
his wife and attorney Benjamin Brafman. Judge Felicia Mennin
adjourned the case until Sept. 23.
Outside court Monday, Brafman said it was “inconceivable” that
Burress would face trial on the charge before 2010, said several
teams were trying to sign his client, and “physically he’s in the
best shape of his life. He’s ready to play.”
Burress’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, posted on Twitter Monday that he
hopes to have a deal with an NFL team for Burress before training
camp starts, and said he’s confident the NFL won’t have grounds to
discipline Burress until after his case is processed in court.
Brafman said he didn’t think the case would be resolved through
a plea agreement, that prosecutors would take it to a grand jury,
and that Burress would plead not guilty if the case went to trial.
“There is not a victim in this case except Plaxico Burress,”
he said.
Burress shot himself in the thigh Nov. 29 in a Manhattan
nightclub. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and
faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison. Burress has pleaded not guilty and
is free on $100,000 bail.
Burress caught the game-winning touchdown for the Giants in the
2008 Super Bowl. He is a free agent after the team released him
April 3.
While Burress is free to sign with any team, the unresolved
legal matter could make teams reluctant to add the talented player.
In addition, even if he ultimately does not serve any time in jail
on the weapons charge — most first-time offenders in similar cases
in New York City do not — he could face disciplinary action by NFL
commissioner Roger Goodell under the league’s personal conduct
policy.
But veteran 6-foot-5 receivers with a proven ability to stretch
a defense are a valuable commodity in the NFL. The New York Jets
acknowledged publicly they had contacted Burress’ agent, Drew
Rosenhaus, to inquire about him before the NFL draft in April.
With the criminal case dragging on at least three more months
and possibly longer, establishing Burress’ value may be a challenge
for interested teams.
The Giants had signed Burress to a five-year, $35 million
contract extension in September. The team later withheld $1 million
after the shooting and the NFL Players Association filed a
grievance on Burress’ behalf. A special master ruled that the
Giants had to pay Burress because the money was a signing bonus he
earned upon agreeing to the contract extension and could not be
withheld for future conduct.
Burress has 505 career receptions for 7,845 yards and 55
touchdowns in nine seasons with the Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers.
