Plaxico Burress to Get Out of Jail Free today

Plaxico Burress

Two and a half years after he committed what may be considered the stupidest thing in the entire history of boneheaded, off-the-field sports moves by shooting himself in the leg, former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress got out of a New York jail this morning.

Burress, who pleaded guilty to gun possession charge after shooting himself in the leg at a New York city nightclub in November of 2008, had been spending the past year and a half at the Oneida Correction Facility in Rome, New York.

And there has already been a buzz building about where the 34-year old receiver will play in 2011, if the NFL plays in 2011. The thing is, part of his release requires him to seek employment immediately. Right now, there is no employment in the NFL to seek.

We find it utterly fascinating that there is a "Countdown" clock in New York in that a phalanx of reporters from the New York area, along with ESPN all staked out the Correction facility for the "Extremely Brief" comment of him "Thanking God for getting him through one of the toughest times in my  life" from Burress.

While he was a good player, he certainly wasn't a "Game-changer" and not considered the "Elite" of the NFL. And yet he's being treated that way.

We think Burress, when the NFL returns, will get a shot with a team, who will overpay for him. He may have a productive year or two left, but time cannot possibly have been kind. Who knows, maybe he'll prove us wrong, but we don't think so.

The New York Daily News provides us a look at Plax's life behind bars:

Plax Heads to the Big House

It was a formality, but today former New York Giants Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress was sent off to serve his prison sentence. The judge in his case sentenced him to what we all were told he would, 2 years, with a possibility of parole after 20 months.

The New York Times has a nice summary of what was said and done HERE .

The New York Daily News follows Plax and asks if he is working on a reality show HERE .

We'd be remiss if we didn't offer the New York Post's story HERE .

It's a pretty long fall from grace for Burress who, 2 years ago was the toast of the Football world, helping his Giants win the Super Bowl. The original incident, where he ended up shooting himself in the leg happened almost a year ago. Burress who is currently 32 years old hopes he'll get an opportunity to return to the NFL after he has done his time. He probably will, but his best years may already be behind him.

We give you a "Sort of" video version of the story courtesy of the New York Post...(at least someone voiced over a large group of photos anyway):

Plaxico Burress hires "Prison Consultant"

Plaxico Burress has retained the services of a prison consultant to give the former NFL receiver the scoop of life behind bars.

Burress' attorney, Benjamin Brafman, told the New York Post, "We are consulting with an expert in the field who will address and advise us, Mr. Burress and his family, on what to expect while incarcerated, and how to use his period of confinement as productively as possible,"

That's some of the best lawyer speak I've heard in a long time. I hope the first thing Plax's prison consultant tells him is by no circumstances get into a 3-point stance. It could be painful. By the way, how much does this "prison consultant" charge? Did #7 have a prison consultant before he was incarcerated.

Burress plead guilty to attempted weapons possession or as we say here at the OSG HQ, utter stupidity, and will serve 2 years in prison. He can have 3 months and 14 days shaved off his sentence if Plax is a good boy behind bars.

Photo Courtesy: New York Post

Burress Goes to Jail

In a bit of a surprise today, former New York Giant Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress accepted a plea bargain and will spend the next two years of his life in jail. You'll remember, Burress somehow managed to shoot himself in the thigh in a New York City nightclub last year. He had been fighting the charges brought against him, which is why the plea deal was a bit of a surprise.

The story from the New York Daily News here .

((Plaxico Burress Photo//Courtesy: Giancarli/Daily News))

Burress is eligible for parole in about 20 months. He apparently was facing a minimum 8-game suspension from the NFL had he tried to return this season. Obviously now...that ain't happening.

It's a very quick fall from grace for Burress one of the stars of the Giants Super Bowl winning team from just 2 years ago. The saddest part is that he shot himself, we don't totally understand why he was carrying in the 1st place, something that will get you in "DEEP" trouble in New York City if you get caught. Oddly, had he not shot himself, he probably wouldn't have gotten caught.

It will be interesting to see what will be left of an NFL Career for him to salvage when he gets out. Stay tuned...we will.

Harris Smith Indicted, Pierce Luckier Than Plax

((HT: NYPost))

Plaxico Burress, who caught the winning touchdown pass for the Giants in the 2008 Super Bowl, was indicted today on gun possession charges. Linebacker Antonio Pierce was let off the hook.

The former giants wide receiver ((pictured, thanks Chad Rachman/NYPost)) was indicted on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, class C violent felonies.

He also was indicted on a reckless endangerment charge in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor.

He faces as many as 15 years in prison.

"At the time the defendant shot himself, he was not licensed to carry or possess that pistol in either New York or New Jersey, where he had a home," Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau said in a statement.

"In this case, we conducted a thorough investigation and then presented the evidence to the grand jury, which evaluated the facts under the applicable law," he added. "The case required a more protracted investigation than does a typical weapons possession case given the number of witness and the need to investigate events both before and after the shooting."

The charges stem from a November incident when Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg in a Manhattan nightclub.

Officials say Pierce was at Burress' side the night of Nov. 29 in the VIP vestibule at Latin Quarter. When the gun went off, Pierce sprang into action to save his teammate's life -- driving the bleeding, trembling Burress to the hospital, said his lawyer, Michael Bachner.

Both men testified before the grand jury last week.

Burress spent three hours in front of the 23 grand jurors, saying he was sorry about bringing his loaded, unlicensed Glock into the nightclub.

"I was truthful. I was honest," Burress said after his testimony. "And I'm truly remorseful for what I've done, for what happened, for what I did."

Giants President John Mara expressed support for Pierce but was noticeably silent on Burress.
"We certainly agree with the grand jury's decision," Mara said.

"We said last week we felt strongly that Antonio's actions did not warrant criminal charges, and obviously the grand jury, having heard all of the testimony, felt the same way."

Coach Tim Coughlin echoed Mara.

"As I said yesterday, we are anxious to start the new season, nobody more than Antonio," he said. "Today's decision allows him and this team to move forward and focus on our preparation for the season."

WAVY-TV in Newport News has local coverage of the indictment.

Sports Director Bruce Rader is in studio...

Burress Testifies In Front Of Grand Jury

((HT: ESPN))

Plaxico Burress testified for nearly three hours Wednesday in front of a grand jury that is investigating weapons charges against him and told reporters outside that he was sorry for his actions.

The former Giants wide receiver, who shot himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub in November now will wait for the grand jury's vote on whether he will be indicted.

"I was truthful, I was honest, and I'm truly remorseful for what I've done and for what happened," the 31-year-old Burress said outside of a Manhattan courthouse.

Burress is charged with criminal possession of a weapon and faces up to 3½ years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty and is free on $100,000 bail. The Giants released the receiver in April.

His attorney, Benjamin Brafman, said the one-time Super Bowl star wanted to address the grand jury, adding his client stressed in his testimony that the gun was not used in the commission of a crime and that he was the lone victim.

"I agreed that in order to humanize him they needed to see who he was and what this man was about," Brafman said, adding, "He asked the grand jury for compassion and understanding. I think it took a big man, not just physically, but a big man to come here today and acknowledge his responsibility and ask for the compassion of the people who he testified before."

Brafman contends that Burress' gun was registered in the state of Florida and that "my client was under the impression that the same was the case in the city of New York."

Brafman said he hopes that Burress' testimony will serve to balance out some of the comments made Monday by Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, whom Brafman characterized as having "a lapse in judgment" by speaking publicly about the Burress case while the case is in front of the grand jury.

Morgenthau told the New York Post that Burress was willing to agree to spend a year in jail, but prosecutors insisted on two, the newspaper reported.

"We've always taken the position that he's going to have to go to jail, whether by trial or by plea," Morgenthau said, according to the Post.

Burress, who caught the winning touchdown in the final minute of the 2008 Super Bowl, also could face disciplinary action by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell under the league's personal conduct policy. Burress has yet to sign with another team and Goodell's office announced in June that the league already had started its examination of the shooting.

Here's Chris McKendry tossing to Sal Paolantonio in front of the courthouse...

Plax Leaves Cavity In Giants Receiver Corps

((HT: CBSSports))

The New York Giants released Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress ((pictured, thanks suntimes.com)) in a stunning move on Friday, a little more than four months after the talented but troubled wide receiver accidentally shot himself in the thigh in a New York City nightclub.

Burress' four-year tenure with the Giants was highlighted by a game-winning touchdown catch in the Super Bowl against the previously undefeated New England 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 on Nov. 29 with an unlicensed gun he had stuffed into his waistband. He faces a felony weapons charge that could put him in prison for at least 3½ years if convicted.

Burress' case was adjourned on Tuesday while his attorneys and prosecutors worked on a possible plea agreement. He is due back in court on June 15.

The 31-year-old Burress, who was suspended by the Giants for the final four weeks of the season for conduct detrimental to the team and fined after the shooting, also faces possible NFL sanctions for violating its personal conduct policy.

The delay in ending the court case this week appeared to play a role in the Giants' decision.

"I am an optimist, and I believe most situations can be worked out," general manager Jerry Reese said in announcing the decision. "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."

Neither Burress' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, nor attorney Benjamin Brafman immediately returned telephone messages left by the Associated Press seeking comment.

The decision to release Burress might lead the Giants to look for a deep threat receiver in the draft later this month. The only player currently on the roster who might fill that role is Mario Manningham, a second-year player out of Michigan who did little in an injury-plagued rookie season. Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon have shown the ability to be a deep threat on occasion, but neither is as consistent as Burress at stretching a defense.

The Giants talked briefly with the Cleveland Browns recently about a trade for veteran receiver Braylon Edwards. Those talks either might heat up again with the release of Burress, or New York might discuss a trade with Arizona for Anquan Boldin, who was unhappy with the NFC champion Cardinals late in the season.

Burress' Giants teammates had been supportive about his possible return.

"It's an unfortunate situation for everyone involved," Giants' two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "[I'm] not surprised. He is a tremendous talent, and you never want to let a guy like that go for nothing, but I think the uncertainty of the court forced their hand."

A little more than a week ago, Umenyiora predicted that Burress would reach a plea agreement and not get jail time.

However, the prosecution's reported desire to require Burress serve some jail time as part of any deal seemingly ended his chances of playing for the Giants next season.

Burress caught 344 passes with the Giants, which places him 12th on the franchise's career list, one catch ahead of Earnest Gray and three behind Aaron Thomas. Burress had 3,681 receiving yards and caught 33 touchdown passes for the Giants.

The Giants finished 12-5 last season, but they lost four of their final five games after the suspension of Burress, their long deep threat. The season that began with hopes of consecutive Super Bowl titles end at home in the playoffs with an embarrassing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

"Plaxico's contribution to our championship season in 2007 can never be underestimated or undervalued," coach Tom Coughlin said. "He displayed tremendous determination throughout that season. Having said that, I have always been as concerned about Plaxico as a man as I have been about him as a player, and my hope is that everything that has happened over the past several months represents a turning point.

"He is a young man with a family who has a whole lifetime ahead of him, and I personally wish him and his family well."

The Giants signed Burress to a five-year, $35 million contract extension in September. The team failed to pay a $1 million signing after the shooting and the NFL Players Association filed a grievance on the player's behalf.

The grievance, which contests whether teams can withhold guaranteed salaries and bonus money from players because of off-field conduct, was heard earlier this week by a special master, Stephen Burbank at the University of Pennsylvania law school. His ruling is expected within a week.

Burress had caught a pass in 115 consecutive games, including 56 with the Giants, until he was shut out at Arizona on November 23, his last game before the shooting incident. Burress started but left that game after one series with a hamstring injury and did not return.

Burress' 23 postseason catches with the Giants leave him fifth on the team's career list and his 310 postseason yards place him third. He had 35 passes for 454 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games last season.

His last Giants reception was an 11-yarder late in the second quarter in a victory over Baltimore on November 16. Burress joined the Giants as an unrestricted free agent March 2005 after five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.