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Burress a 'distraction' for Giants, Toomer says
Embattled Giants WR disagrees with teammate but does admit mistakes
Bill Kostroun / ASSOCIATED PRESS
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - When the topic of Plaxico Burress comes up these days, most people don’t talk about what the New York Giants receiver has been doing on the field.
Off-the-field problems and mistakes not related to football are what people remember — and there have been plenty this season.
It started with Burress’ decision to skip a team meeting in September for a so-called family emergency — and not inform the team. Then, he verbally abused an official two weeks ago before missing a treatment before the Pittsburgh game and being benched for a quarter.
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It has cost him money, time and the patience of several teammates.
Despite it all, Burress insisted on Wednesday that he is not a distraction, even as the Giants (6-1) prepare for the biggest game of the season, a showdown with the defending NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys (5-3).
“Like I said, I am human,” Burress said after practice. “I have made some mistakes. I haven’t made the best of decisions, I am aware of that, and I am the first one to look myself in the mirror, be honest with myself, and say that. But as far as me going out and playing hard, I am going to keep going out and competing. Like I said, I just keep going out and doing what is asked of me on the football field, and in whatever that role may be I hope I go out and fulfill it.”
Fellow receiver Amani Toomer said it has been hard dealing with Burress this year.
He was suspended for a game against Seattle and fined $117,500 for missing the September meeting. He was fined $45,000 by the league for abusing an official after being called for offensive pass interference against San Francisco two weeks ago and then he had to watch the first quarter of the Giants’ 21-14 win over the Steelers on Sunday.
“He’s his own man,” Toomer said. “He makes his own decisions and I have to respect that. He knows his decisions affect the team. It’s hard to go up to a grown man (and talk) about doing his business the way everybody else wants him to.”
When pressed about what might happen if Burress continues his errant ways, the Giants captain wondered.
“I’ll be interested to see because I think that it’s still a distraction,” Toomer said. “It affects our team.”
After getting off to a great start, Burress no longer is the No. 1 option in the offense. He had 10 catches for 133 yards in the season opener against Washington and followed that with five more catches for 81 yards and a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams.
In his last four games, he has had 13 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/27443365/
Embattled Giants WR disagrees with teammate but does admit mistakes
Bill Kostroun / ASSOCIATED PRESS
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - When the topic of Plaxico Burress comes up these days, most people don’t talk about what the New York Giants receiver has been doing on the field.
Off-the-field problems and mistakes not related to football are what people remember — and there have been plenty this season.
It started with Burress’ decision to skip a team meeting in September for a so-called family emergency — and not inform the team. Then, he verbally abused an official two weeks ago before missing a treatment before the Pittsburgh game and being benched for a quarter.
Story continues below ↓advertisement | your ad here
It has cost him money, time and the patience of several teammates.
Despite it all, Burress insisted on Wednesday that he is not a distraction, even as the Giants (6-1) prepare for the biggest game of the season, a showdown with the defending NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys (5-3).
“Like I said, I am human,” Burress said after practice. “I have made some mistakes. I haven’t made the best of decisions, I am aware of that, and I am the first one to look myself in the mirror, be honest with myself, and say that. But as far as me going out and playing hard, I am going to keep going out and competing. Like I said, I just keep going out and doing what is asked of me on the football field, and in whatever that role may be I hope I go out and fulfill it.”
Fellow receiver Amani Toomer said it has been hard dealing with Burress this year.
He was suspended for a game against Seattle and fined $117,500 for missing the September meeting. He was fined $45,000 by the league for abusing an official after being called for offensive pass interference against San Francisco two weeks ago and then he had to watch the first quarter of the Giants’ 21-14 win over the Steelers on Sunday.
“He’s his own man,” Toomer said. “He makes his own decisions and I have to respect that. He knows his decisions affect the team. It’s hard to go up to a grown man (and talk) about doing his business the way everybody else wants him to.”
When pressed about what might happen if Burress continues his errant ways, the Giants captain wondered.
“I’ll be interested to see because I think that it’s still a distraction,” Toomer said. “It affects our team.”
After getting off to a great start, Burress no longer is the No. 1 option in the offense. He had 10 catches for 133 yards in the season opener against Washington and followed that with five more catches for 81 yards and a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams.
In his last four games, he has had 13 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/27443365/
