If this were the Cowboys, we'd be crucified!!!

[Big Dakota]

Still a rift between Burress and Manning?

Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Eli Manning (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/player/200425) says he has a good relationship with Plaxico Burress (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/player/70555). His No. 1 receiver wasn't talking about it on Wednesday, turning down pleas from the Giants (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/67056)' public relations staff to talk to the media on the opening day of minicamp.

Burress hasn't said anything since the Giants (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/67056) were beaten 23-0 by the Carolina Panthers (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/67063) in the opening round of the playoffs.

Held without a catch, Burress waved his hands in frustration several times during the game when he felt he was open and Manning didn't get him the ball. The receiver, who was signed as a free agent last year, didn't report to the stadium the following day for a season-ending team meeting.

Burress also did not participate in voluntary workouts in the offseason, opting to train in Florida with tight end Jeremy Shockey (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/player/96821).

"You don't have to be best friends with everybody," Manning said after a morning workout Wednesday. "As long as everybody is on the same page and has the same goal of working hard and getting better and winning games, then I think that is fine. We're lockermates. We see each other daily. We have a good relationship."

Manning said he has spoken with Burress a few times in recent weeks, addressing nothing specific. He downplayed Burress' onfield antics in the playoff game.

"He was upset. We didn't have a good game," said Manning, who was 10-for-18 for 113 yards and four interceptions against the Panthers (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/67063). "Everybody on this team is competitive and wants to win and do well. A lot of people were frustrated and that's how he expressed it."

Coach Tom Coughlin said he spoke with Burress about missing the team meeting after the season ended. Coughlin would not comment on what was said.

During the morning workout on Wednesday, Manning found Burress with a pass on a slant route, and he hooked up with Shockey on a couple of plays.

Shockey showed up for the minicamp sporting a black eye. He blamed it on a training accident in Florida last week.

He also said he thought there was plenty of leadership on the team.

"The older people, like Tiki Barber (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/player/70344) and Michael Strahan (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/player/70337), when those guys talk, those are the guys I listen to, the guys who have been here eight, nine, 10, 11 or 12 years," he said. "Those are the leaders on this team."

Center Shaun O'Hara (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/player/69386) felt too much was being made of Burress.

"We have a lot of things going on," O'Hara said. "No way on the first day of minicamp are we worried about team chemistry."

He also downplayed the absence of Burress and Shockey from the voluntary workouts, saying no one wants to work out with somebody who doesn't want to be there.

O'Hara said the players were more interested in Shockey's black eye. "I think we were all wondering whether coach gave it to him," O'Hara said.

[Big Dakota]

If this were Bledsoe, with TO and Witten working out in Florida, and TO wouldn't talk to the press even when the organization wanted him too, we'd never hear the end of it, yet this is the first i've heard about ANY of this with the Gints.

[DragonCowboy]

I've noticed that Burress usually gets agitated with Manning. Even if they're winning the game by alot.

[JackMagist]

This is good news. Burress was always something of a headcase and it sounds like he hasn't changed. If it causes some problems for the Gints then great. I'll take any advantage we can get no matter how small.

[SkinsandTerps]

The bigger question is, did the Giants have a fluke season ?

IMO, Manning only had 3 good games last season. The rest were average at best. Even the games the Redskins and Cowboys lost to the Giants, it wasnt because of Eli that they won.

[jja050575]

Burress is just mad that he screwed up bad enough in Pittsburgh to make them cut him and they go and win a superbowl!!! ha!!!

[KD]

I heard that Lavar was having problems with his ACL as well. Strained it or something......

[SkinsandTerps]

Burress is just mad that he screwed up bad enough in Pittsburgh to make them cut him and they go and win a superbowl!!! ha!!!

The Steelers didnt cut Burress. He was a Free Agent.

[SkinsandTerps]

I heard that Lavar was having problems with his ACL as well. Strained it or something......

Achilles tendonitis. Therefore ankle.

Although, he probably still has some knee concerns.

[KD]

thanks SkinsandTerps.....

I have heard rumours that he has no cartilage left in his knees..... this is going to be a very entertaining year to watch unfold.

[VirusX]

thanks SkinsandTerps.....

I have heard rumours that he has no cartilage left in his knees..... this is going to be a very entertaining year to watch unfold.

I agree, this year should be wild and wacky. Can't wait!! :banghead:

[SkinsandTerps]

thanks SkinsandTerps.....

I have heard rumours that he has no cartilage left in his knees..... this is going to be a very entertaining year to watch unfold.

Anytime bro.

I would have to double check but, I think I have to give the Giants FO some credit. Arrington has a deal that can be unloaded with a cap hit for sure but with only a few moves they will be just fine.

I still think fluke season.

[CrazyCowboy]

good cancer for the aints

[dmq]

"You don't have to be best friends with everybody," Manning said after a morning workout Wednesday. "As long as everybody is on the same page and has the same goal of working hard and getting better and winning games, then I think that is fine. We're lockermates. We see each other daily. We have a good relationship."

Doesn't this sound like a quote from Mcnabb about TO?

[Hostile]

Anytime bro.

I would have to double check but, I think I have to give the Giants FO some credit. Arrington has a deal that can be unloaded with a cap hit for sure but with only a few moves they will be just fine.

I still think fluke season.I do too and I think 2005 was a fluke in reverse for Philly. They still scare me. I will not count them down until I know they are out. That's a good football team.

[Bob Sacamano]

He also downplayed the absence of Burress and Shockey from the voluntary workouts, saying no one wants to work out with somebody who doesn't want to be there.

nice :rolleyes:

[dargonking999]

This is why i keep trying to figure out why peopole are stiull high on the GInts. THey showed nothing last year, that told me ELi, was ready to lead this team any where. THey got rare production from Tiki Barber, and Got some good games from their Def. But the bottom line is this team will take a step back from last year. (I.E Cowboys in 2004 after the 2003 season). Book it

[dargonking999]

I still think fluke season.


In full agreement, Gints of 2005 remind mne of Cowboys of 2003, full of luck, and easy scheduling, slid into the playoffs, only to get blown out by the Panthers (ironic eh?)

[Vintage]

The Giants are in NY; the media hub of the US.

Of course, they aren't going to print anything negative about them. Not when there is a much easier target than Owens. Burress could kill someone and it wouldn't make front page news....because Owens would be on page 1, showing up to practice 5 minutes late.

[jay cee]

I do too and I think 2005 was a fluke in reverse for Philly. They still scare me. I will not count them down until I know they are out. That's a good football team.
You are right on point, Hos. I will be surprised if Philly has another poor season.

[Gent]

Eli doesn't appear to be where his brother was at this stage. He has an accuracy problem. But, it's too early to say he's plateaued. Eli did throw 24 TDs last season. I think only Brady and Palmer threw more.

As for Barber, his past performance suggests that he could come close to last year's numbers if given the same number of carriers.

-Gent

[dargonking999]

Eli doesn't appear to be where his brother was at this stage. He has an accuracy problem. But, it's too early to say he's plateaued. Eli did throw 24 TDs last season. I think only Brady and Palmer threw more.

As for Barber, his past performance suggests that he could come close to last year's numbers if given the same number of carriers.

-Gent


trust me his shedule didnt make it that hard

And barber is getting older, there's no certain fact that he can take that many carries year after year, He donest exactly give off that tough vibe, he reminds me of Shawn ALexnader, just maybe a little bit tougher, and a heart (got to give him that, Rediskins @ home)

[31smackdown]

The Giants are in NY; the media hub of the US.

Of course, they aren't going to print anything negative about them. Not when there is a much easier target than Owens. Burress could kill someone and it wouldn't make front page news....because Owens would be on page 1, showing up to practice 5 minutes late.


Oh.. I'm pretty sure that the NY media will have plenty of fun with this. It was already mentioned on Sirius NFL radio this morning and I'm sure papers like the Post and Newsday will be more than happy to push the "rift" angle.

NY media certainly is not the type to cover up for their teams.. I mean have you heard one good thing about the Knicks in 3 years?

The reason you are just hearing about it now is because mini-camp just started and Burress and Shockey just came back from Florida

[Chief]

The Steelers didnt cut Burress. He was a Free Agent.

His point is well-taken, though.

I would imagine that Burress had a hard time watching his former teammates celebrating a world championship. He strikes me as the type that would be jealous, and not happy for his ex-mates.

[aikemirv]

Not to burst any bubbles, but the Giants won 11 games with Eli Manning playing poorly.

There defense with the pressure that Osi and Srahan puts on will keep them in games.

Tiki is as tuff as ever.

We better hope that Eli does not improve, because if he does they will be as tuff as anybody in the NFC for us.

[dougonthebench]

Doesn't this sound like a quote from Mcnabb about TO?

to me it does!

[DWelch1775]

I'm with what dmq said

[thewivil]

If this were Bledsoe, with TO and Witten working out in Florida, and TO wouldn't talk to the press even when the organization wanted him too, we'd never hear the end of it, yet this is the first i've heard about ANY of this with the Gints.

Well, that's to be expected since Burress doesn't exactly have the same track record Owens does.

[rdsknsbaby]

well lets hope this can bring them down... just another team not to worry about if it does.