T-Rock's Take on the Giants

Here's the Associated Press story from this evening in which it is reported that Antonio Pierce (and everyone's favorite emergency room doctor, Josyann Abisaab) will meet with authorities regarding the Plaxico Burress acctidental shooting (or Plaxidental shooting, for short) and the events that followed on Saturday morning.

I'm guessing that Pierce will do more than give an opening statement about not talking and then refer all questions about that night/morning to the opening statement when he meets with them. That's what he did earlier today with a room full of reporters. And we're not sure whether the meeting will occur before or after practice, but I'm thinking after since football players are usually given Friday afternoons off for errands like changing the oil in their cars, going shopping, banking, or, you know, speaking with investigators. It doesn't say where, either, but most of the folks who've gone in have reported to the 17th Precinct in Manhattan. They've had more Giants there this week than Last Licks!

Anyway, here's the story on A.P. from the A.P. and Tom Canavan. Towards the end there is some other information about NFL Security and the NYPD and how each was contacted. I think that's important, too, so make sure you read all the way through. No shortcuts!

Continue reading "Pierce to meet with investigators on Friday" »

Tom Coughlin apparently lets his calls go straight to voicemail during the night because today he was asked the "what did you know and when did you know it" question.

He said he learned of the Plaxico Burress shooting between 6:15 and 6:20 on Saturday morning."I had some voice messages that I really hadn’t listened to," he said. "But I got a call from Charles Way."

Let's all close our eyes and use our imaginations to picture how that conversation went.

The RB said he just had to have his ankle re-taped, although it certainly looked a little more serious than that when he was having the ankle examined. As for his visible wince, Ward said he just likes joking around with the trainers.

"Not really," Coughlin said when asked if Ward was limited in practice. "I can't tell you what he's gonna be like in the morning if that's what you're asking."

Sorry if I sent anyone into a panic. Although I suppose it's not the biggest misleading story involving Ward to come out this week.

Can't be certain how badly, but Derrick Ward hurt his right ankle during the early stages of practice today. Judging from the amount of thick tape they were plying to his foot and ankle, and how high up the calf they were doing it, it could be a high ankle sprain. Ward spent about 10 minutes on the cart having the ankle examined -- at one point he fell back in what looked like severe pain -- before returning to practice with his position group.

As for the already-injured players, Jonathan Goff and Corey Webster were on the exercise bikes and it didn't look like either would be practicing today. Ahmad Bradshaw looked good to go. Fred Robbins was practicing. And Antonio Pierce was practicing too. But you already know that because between the 15 or so photographers and camerapeople on the sideline there must have been 10,000 images taken of Pierce.

I suggested to some that the linebackers might have shown some solidarity -- and had a little fun with the media -- by all wearing 58 jerseys to practice today. A couple of times last year the Jets would swap jerseys at practice just to mess with the press. Had there been six 58s on the field playing linebacker this morning, those folks who have never been to a Giants practice before would have gone nuts.

It was suggested that I use my demented thoughts for good and not evil.

Bob Glauber answers your NFL questions today in a live chat at 11 a.m.

Plaxico Burress, Antonio Pierce, the Giants, the Jets, the NFL -- Glauber will take all questions.

From union spokesman Carl Francis:

“The NFLPA is still reviewing the actions taken by the New York Giants relating to Plaxico Burress but we intend to file a grievance challenging those actions as we believe that Burress’ rights have been violated under the CBA.”

Here's the opening statement from Tom Coughlin's press conference this morning:

"Everyone has read about Plaxico being put oin reserve/non-football injured and also being suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. When I spoke to our team Saturday morning and when I spoke to them this morning, there were two words I used. One was disappointment. Two was sadness. I think that sums it all up.

"I had a conversation with Plaxico. He was very humble. He was remorseful. Obviously it doesn’t change anything. But you have to understand that he is part of our team and our concern is with he and his family’s well-being and the ability of him to get through this circumstance and also to be healthy once again. I think our team shares that same thought and by saying that, I will answer n o questions about details or what happened or anything of that nature because believe it or not we have a football game this weekend, a very important game, which is against a very good Philadelphia Eagles team in the division …

"I am pleased with our team, with our mental toughness, with our ability to focus, with our ability to go ahead and approach the task at hand despite the circumstances that were laid in front of them Saturday morning."

Also, Antonio Pierce is here today and is practicing.

Here's how the Giants are filling their roster after the placement of Plaxico Burress on the non-football injury list:

DT Leger Douzable was signed to the active roster off the practice squad. OL Mike Fladell and WR Micah Rucker have been signed to the practice squad. And OT Na'Shan Goddard was signed from the Giants' practice squad.

As for the pre-practice injury report, it includes:

Ahmad Bradshaw, neck
Jonathan Goff, hamstring
Shaun O'Hara, knee
Fred Robbins, shoulder
Corey Webster, back

Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress left the Giants Stadium parking lot at 3:18 p.m. on Tuesday, perhaps for the last time.

Just moments earlier the Giants had informed him that they were placing him on the non-football injury list -- effectively ending his season -- and suspending him for the season's final four games for conduct detrimental to the team. He was also hit with an undisclosed fine for repeated violations of team rules.

Burress suffered a gunshot wound to his right leg in an accidental shooting early Saturday morning that resulted in him spending the night in a hospital and facing two felony charges of criminal possession of a weapon, for which he was arraigned on Monday.

Burress arrived at Giants Stadium at 9:20 Tuesday morning, pulling his van into a lot adjacent to the stadium and walking into the building without a noticeable limp. As an injured player -- he was suffering from a sore hamstring before the shooting -- he was required to show up for treatment. He spent most of the morning being examined by Giants trainers and doctors, and even took a trip to Manhattan for an MRI, before returning to Giants Stadium in the afternoon to learn his fate.

"The decision we made today regarding Plaxico's roster status was based on the examination of Plaxico by our team physician," general manager Jerry Reese said. "Dr. Rodeo believes Plaxico would be out at least four to six weeks with the gunshot wound. I had two conversations with Plaxico today, and it was obvious that he understood the magnitude of this situation. He knows that we are here to support him and help him get healthy."

The decisions end his 2008 season but leave open his future with the Giants. He could be facing a prison sentence in connection with the charges he heard on Monday. The NFL could also suspend him for his behavior.

Burress, who was there without his lawyer or his agent, also met with CEO and President John Mara and coach Tom Coughlin.

"As we have said since Saturday morning, our concern is for Plaxico's health and well-being," Mara said. "This is an important time for him to take care of his body and heal up and also deal with the very serious legal consequences and other issues in his life. When I spoke with Plaxico he expressed great remorse for letting down his teammates."

"When you lose a player of Plaxico's ability, it is incumbent that everybody step up and fill the void," Coughlin said. "In the last two seasons, this team has done an outstanding job of that. We made it clear to Plax today that we are here to support him in any way possible."

The Giants expect to fill Burress' roster spot on Wednesday. They'll likely promote wide receiver Taye Biddle from the practice squad, as they did when they suspended Burress for missing a team meeting earlier this season.

Guest blogger Neil Best here, filling in for Glauber and Rock, who are in transit.

At 3:19 p.m., Plaxico Burress left Giants Stadium - five hours and 59 minutes after arriving - from the opposite end zone exit from which he arrived this morning.

Burress did not speak to reporters on the way in or on the way out.

Now it's up to the Giants to figure out what to do. The options likely do not include inviting Mr. Burress to start at wide receiver against the Eagles Sunday.