Plaxico Burress a no-show with NY Giants (1 Viewer)

[Steelers4Life]

From Lenny P's tip sheet on ESPN.com...

It's hard to argue that Burress isn't the best wideout still available. But the phone isn't exactly ringing off the hook. There have been a few exploratory calls to agent Michael Harrison, but nothing of substance yet, and teams are telling Burress' new representative they have other priorities to address and might not be ready to visit with the Steelers veteran until next week. The preliminary discussion that Harrison had with Minnesota officials Thursday, and which was ballyhooed by one wire service, actually was initiated by the agent. The New York Giants unofficially floated some contract parameters this week, ESPN.com has learned, but their proposal averaged less than $4 million per year and the signing bonus was less than $5 million. Burress is said to be seeking a contract that approximates the six-year deal Muhammad inked with the Bears, a deal that includes $12 million in total guarantees and will pay the nine-year veteran $16 million in its first three seasons. Burress has to be wondering, however, whether he'll get anything close to that. "Let's just say [Plaxico] thought he'd either be on a plane by now or already signed," a close Burress friend said Wednesday afternoon, the first day of the signing period. What is somewhat puzzling is that, despite some past off-field indiscretions, Burress was a model citizen for the Steelers in 2004. His reception totals were down, thanks in part to injuries and playing with a rookie quarterback, but he bit his tongue. Taking a page from the book of teammate Hines Ward, he concentrated more on his downfield blocking in Pittsburgh's run-heavy offense, and definitely put the team ahead of himself. The rehabilitation of his persona and newfound maturity haven't translated into Burress moving to the front burner of teams looking to heat up their passing attack, though.

 

[footballman_696969]

I just saw on the NFL network that Plax has the flu and hes hanging out in Orlando with Culpepper.

 

[pooner23]

Did they actually say he was hanging out with culpepper or is that your take?

 

[Chase Stuart]

As for Burress, the Giants were informed that he called off his trip because of illness, and it is not clear when or if he will visit or whether he has other teams interested in bidding for him. The lackluster market for the former Steeler has been the biggest surprise of the free-agent signing period.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/gia...ports-headlines

 

[-OZ-]

Is it possible everyone is jumping to conclusions?

Maybe he's got the flu

 

[Koya]

As I said before, no need to get excited either way. Yes, something is possible. What happens will sort out LONG before any of us draft. For an update:From ESPN.com's John Clayton:"Giant move for Burress?The Giants are serious about signing wide receiver Plaxico Burress. He rescheduled a visit to the Meadowlands from Monday until Wednesday. In the meantime, he has been getting recruiting calls from coach Tom Coughlin, defensive coordinator Tim Lewis and other members of the Giants organization. There is also some growing interest from the Vikings. For the past couple of days, Burress has been working out with Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpeppper, who is trying to talk the organization into signing him." (no link, got it from another board)

 

[-OZ-]

As I said before, no need to get excited either way. Yes, something is possible. What happens will sort out LONG before any of us draft. For an update:

From ESPN.com's John Clayton:

"Giant move for Burress?

The Giants are serious about signing wide receiver Plaxico Burress. He rescheduled a visit to the Meadowlands from Monday until Wednesday. In the meantime, he has been getting recruiting calls from coach Tom Coughlin, defensive coordinator Tim Lewis and other members of the Giants organization. There is also some growing interest from the Vikings. For the past couple of days, Burress has been working out with Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpeppper, who is trying to talk the organization into signing him."

(no link, got it from another board)

Really?Not to mention the 30 zealot leagues, misfits, etc.

 

[Steel Dillo]

Can't believe there is no news on this yet...

Maybe both your boyz will be playing on the same team.Eagles playing the "Lets Low Ball Burress" game?

The blurb is about a third of the way down the page on the link above.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

As I said before, no need to get excited either way.  Yes, something is possible.  What happens will sort out LONG before any of us draft.  For an update:

From ESPN.com's John Clayton:

"Giant move for Burress?

The Giants are serious about signing wide receiver Plaxico Burress. He rescheduled a visit to the Meadowlands from Monday until Wednesday. In the meantime, he has been getting recruiting calls from coach Tom Coughlin, defensive coordinator Tim Lewis and other members of the Giants organization. There is also some growing interest from the Vikings. For the past couple of days, Burress has been working out with Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpeppper, who is trying to talk the organization into signing him."

(no link, got it from another board)

Really?Not to mention the 30 zealot leagues, misfits, etc.

obviously, koya isn't a dynasty leaguer

 

[MD Skyhawks]

Plaxico is a decent WR but has he proven he can be a #1? He is selfish, immature, lacks motivation, - I see him as the second comming of Peerless Price.I bet KC signs him

 

[BlueOnion]

Apparently he was sick, which I don't buy. He was running around playing catch with Culpepper one day and the next day he is so sick he cannot even pick up the phone and say, "Hey, I am sick. I will not make it in today." Sounds more like an excuse.

 

[-OZ-]

Plaxico is a decent WR but has he proven he can be a #1? He is selfish, immature, lacks motivation, - I see him as the second comming of Peerless Price.

I bet KC signs him

I don't see it, but it would be interesting.First, Vermiel likes character guys.

Second, Peterson is cheap.

Third, KC needs DEFENSE

Fourth, as exciting as it would be, the fans would revolt if they spend on O but not D

Plax will be a VIKING

 

[Steelers4Life]

Plaxico is a decent WR but has he proven he can be a #1? He is selfish, immature, lacks motivation, - I see him as the second comming of Peerless Price.

I bet KC signs him

Plaxico is ANYTHING but selfish. He's a talented WR who played on a run-first team, and you never even heard a peep from him until after the Patriot's game. And he had good reason to be frustrated when Whisenhunt refused to use Burress on deeper play action routes when the Pats stacked the line on first and second down. Lots of guys say things out of frustration, but you rarely if ever head Burress running his mouth.And while he's shown some immaturity in the past, he took a lot of steps in the right direction last year.

He was the #1 WR in Pittsburgh in that EVERY defensive coordinator shifted coverage to his side, allowing Ward to face single coverage from the defense's second best CB. That'll change next year.

 

[wharf rat]

here's my predictioneter Warrick becomes a cap casuality and the Giants sign him instead of Burress and they are better off in the long run.

 

[BlueOnion]

Plaxico is ANYTHING but selfish.

Your argument is not with other FBGers as much as it is with the media.Article on Plax from Viking Source

 

[zamboni]

here's my prediction:

Peter Warrick becomes a cap casuality and the Giants sign him instead of Burress and they are better off in the long run.

That's not a bad call, but I don't think the Giants want to wait until post-June 1 to address their gaping hole at WR.It's a major gamble taking a chance on who will be available at that juncture.

 

[Steelers4Life]

Plaxico is ANYTHING but selfish. 

Your argument is not with other FBGers as much as it is with the media.Article on Plax from Viking Source

I understand that he's gotten that rap over the years. He's not saying anything most receivers don't say, and if he's guilty of anything, it's thinking he's better than he is.But he's swallowed his tongue for a long time, playing with bad QBs on teams that only pass the ball when they need to.

 

[jgb95]

Chris Mort was just on WEEI here in Boston and he was scratching his head on this one. He says that NY didn't even know he was coming so for him not to show up is a NON ISSUE! Just telling you what I heard 5 min's ago!

 

[code]

Chris Mort was just on WEEI here in Boston and he was scratching his head on this one. He says that NY didn't even know he was coming so for him not to show up is a NON ISSUE!

Just telling you what I heard 5 min's ago!

I just got into work and came to report hearing the same...Mort also said that he suspects this is just the agent trying to create a market for his player...

 

[zamboni]

Chris Mort was just on WEEI here in Boston and he was scratching his head on this one. He says that NY didn't even know he was coming so for him not to show up is a NON ISSUE!

Just telling you what I heard 5 min's ago!

That is really bizarre.

 

[reg]

For the past couple of days, Burress has been working out with Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpeppper, who is trying to talk the organization into signing him."

That doesn't sound too good to me.

 

[Franknbeans]

From the Pittsburgh post-gazette as of today...Burress failed to show up for his scheduled afternoon visit with the New York Giants, who appear to be the only serious suitors for the free-agent receiver. Burress reportedly was sick and the meeting was to be rescheduled, probably for tomorrow. Burress may have gotten sick when he heard that the Giants reportedly have proposed a six-year, $21 million contract with a $4 million signing bonus -- far below the $10 million bonus that Burress was seeking. The Vikings also may have an interest in Burress.

 

[BlueOnion]

Burress may have gotten sick when he heard that the Giants reportedly have proposed a six-year, $21 million contract with a $4 million signing bonus

Dang right the Vikings would be interested in Plax at this price! Heck, I might enter the Plaxico market to fill my need for a new report programmer if the prices continues to drop at that rate.

 

[placeholder10391]

Any updates?This is better drama than daytime television...

 

[-OZ-]

Burress may have gotten sick when he heard that the Giants reportedly have proposed a six-year, $21 million contract with a $4 million signing bonus

Dang right the Vikings would be interested in Plax at this price! Heck, I might enter the Plaxico market to fill my need for a new report programmer if the prices continues to drop at that rate.

At that rate he might as well sign with the Toronto Argonauts or an Arena team. Mo Clarett made more in college.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

If he's willing to sign for $3.5 million per, and the Steelers still aren't willing to match that offer, there must be more resentment behind the scenes in that organization than anyone let on.

 

[zamboni]

If he's willing to sign for $3.5 million per, and the Steelers still aren't willing to match that offer, there must be more resentment behind the scenes in that organization than anyone let on.

I also found that interesting.I think there was a blurb on KFFL that the Steelers essentially had no interest in offering Plax a deal.

Seems clear that they want to move on.

 

[JaxBill]

I'm surprised at this blurb from the NY Daily News:

When and if Burress arrives, the Giants may have to act quickly if they want to sign him because the delay may have opened the door for other teams to get involved. The market had appeared to dry up for the 27-year-old receiver. But late last night there were indications the Minnesota Vikings had reconsidered and now were interested. And there was a report that the Philadelphia Eagles suddenly were interested.

As for the Giants, their interest in the 6-5, 226-pound receiver didn't appear to change because of his surprise no-show. They want Burress if the price is right. According to a source, that price is around the six-year, $20 million figure they floated in conversations with Harrison last week.

I think it's just the agent trying to create the market.

 

[Bloom]

If he's willing to sign for $3.5 million per, and the Steelers still aren't willing to match that offer, there must be more resentment behind the scenes in that organization than anyone let on.

i dont know if its resentment. i think the steelers have just made a decision that the money they would use to sign plax is better spent elsewhere - they know plax better than any team in the league, and they've made their final valuation of him, that he is not worth what he will get in the open market - even the relatively uninterested open market.look at all the players the steelers have let go in FA in the cowher era. how many of them have fallen off after leaving? yancey thigpen, anyone?

 

[houndirish]

This has got to be one of the most peculiar Free Agent stories (besides TO's puppeteer routine last season) of the past several years.Let's go back for a minute:Burress says he doesn't want to play in a cold weather city.Burress has intimated he's looking for a megadeal.The Giants supposedly are the first team to make a push for the guy.The Giants don't have a ton of money to spend on him even if they wanted to.New York will never be considered "tropical".In NY, Burress would be playing for a young QB (Again), in a run first offense (again), under a disciplanarian Head Coach, on a team that didn't come close to the success of his soon to be former one last year. What's the draw for a guy like Burress in this scenario?Also consider the Giants have a bigger need for a possession receiver than a spread the field/deep route guy.Despite all of this the rumors continue to circulate that the Giants are the primary and possibly the only option for the receiver!If he ends up in Giants Blue I'll be amazed.

 

[-OZ-]

This has got to be one of the most peculiar Free Agent stories (besides TO's puppeteer routine last season) of the past several years.

Let's go back for a minute:

Burress says he doesn't want to play in a cold weather city.

Burress has intimated he's looking for a megadeal.

The Giants supposedly are the first team to make a push for the guy.

The Giants don't have a ton of money to spend on him even if they wanted to.

New York will never be considered "tropical".

In NY, Burress would be playing for a young QB (Again), in a run first offense (again), under a disciplanarian Head Coach, on a team that didn't come close to the success of his soon to be former one last year. What's the draw for a guy like Burress in this scenario?

Also consider the Giants have a bigger need for a possession receiver than a spread the field/deep route guy.

Despite all of this the rumors continue to circulate that the Giants are the primary and possibly the only option for the receiver!

If he ends up in Giants Blue I'll be amazed.

I agree with everything except to add that the Giants will turn more into a passing team as Eli develops, Plaxico could be a major part of that. But given the rest, you make a lot of sense.Of course, Minnesota isn't exactly tropical either, is his desire to play in nice weather, or to get a tan in his off time?

 

[Evilgrin 72]

If he's willing to sign for $3.5 million per, and the Steelers still aren't willing to match that offer, there must be more resentment behind the scenes in that organization than anyone let on.

i dont know if its resentment. i think the steelers have just made a decision that the money they would use to sign plax is better spent elsewhere - they know plax better than any team in the league, and they've made their final valuation of him, that he is not worth what he will get in the open market - even the relatively uninterested open market.look at all the players the steelers have let go in FA in the cowher era. how many of them have fallen off after leaving? yancey thigpen, anyone?

True, but let's remember what happened to the Steelers offense after Thigpen left, too. :X

 

[Bloom]

If he's willing to sign for $3.5 million per, and the Steelers still aren't willing to match that offer, there must be more resentment behind the scenes in that organization than anyone let on.

i dont know if its resentment. i think the steelers have just made a decision that the money they would use to sign plax is better spent elsewhere - they know plax better than any team in the league, and they've made their final valuation of him, that he is not worth what he will get in the open market - even the relatively uninterested open market.look at all the players the steelers have let go in FA in the cowher era. how many of them have fallen off after leaving? yancey thigpen, anyone?

True, but let's remember what happened to the Steelers offense after Thigpen left, too. :X

but the important thing is that we stay healthy as a franchise by not overpaying for players. if it means a down year for restocking/development every 3 or 4 years, ill take it over the salary cap hell some teams get in. it is a testament to the steelers personnel dept that they have had this very good run under cowher without breaking the break on any big time FAs that i can remember.

 

[tommyGunZ]

At $20mill over 6, AJ Smith and the Chargers need to get involved in the Plax sweepstakes.Plax fits perfectly into that offense.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

If he's willing to sign for $3.5 million per, and the Steelers still aren't willing to match that offer, there must be more resentment behind the scenes in that organization than anyone let on.

i dont know if its resentment. i think the steelers have just made a decision that the money they would use to sign plax is better spent elsewhere - they know plax better than any team in the league, and they've made their final valuation of him, that he is not worth what he will get in the open market - even the relatively uninterested open market.look at all the players the steelers have let go in FA in the cowher era. how many of them have fallen off after leaving? yancey thigpen, anyone?

True, but let's remember what happened to the Steelers offense after Thigpen left, too. :X

but the important thing is that we stay healthy as a franchise by not overpaying for players. if it means a down year for restocking/development every 3 or 4 years, ill take it over the salary cap hell some teams get in. it is a testament to the steelers personnel dept that they have had this very good run under cowher without breaking the break on any big time FAs that i can remember.

I agree totally with your assessment. I wouldn't break the bank for Burress either, but that's just my point - 6 years at $20 million is not exactly going to string you up. He'd be making about a third of what Hartings is getting, no?

 

[Bloom]

If he's willing to sign for $3.5 million per, and the Steelers still aren't willing to match that offer, there must be more resentment behind the scenes in that organization than anyone let on.

i dont know if its resentment. i think the steelers have just made a decision that the money they would use to sign plax is better spent elsewhere - they know plax better than any team in the league, and they've made their final valuation of him, that he is not worth what he will get in the open market - even the relatively uninterested open market.look at all the players the steelers have let go in FA in the cowher era. how many of them have fallen off after leaving? yancey thigpen, anyone?

True, but let's remember what happened to the Steelers offense after Thigpen left, too. :X

but the important thing is that we stay healthy as a franchise by not overpaying for players. if it means a down year for restocking/development every 3 or 4 years, ill take it over the salary cap hell some teams get in. it is a testament to the steelers personnel dept that they have had this very good run under cowher without breaking the break on any big time FAs that i can remember.

I agree totally with your assessment. I wouldn't break the bank for Burress either, but that's just my point - 6 years at $20 million is not exactly going to string you up. He'd be making about a third of what Hartings is getting, no?

hartings restructured his deal and i would argue that any of the OL positions are more important to the steelers success than WR2. i would rather have wilson and the extra $$ to sign an Olineman for depth since we are losing the right side of the line, than have plax and one less solid Olineman.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

If he's willing to sign for $3.5 million per, and the Steelers still aren't willing to match that offer, there must be more resentment behind the scenes in that organization than anyone let on.

i dont know if its resentment. i think the steelers have just made a decision that the money they would use to sign plax is better spent elsewhere - they know plax better than any team in the league, and they've made their final valuation of him, that he is not worth what he will get in the open market - even the relatively uninterested open market.look at all the players the steelers have let go in FA in the cowher era. how many of them have fallen off after leaving? yancey thigpen, anyone?

True, but let's remember what happened to the Steelers offense after Thigpen left, too. :X

but the important thing is that we stay healthy as a franchise by not overpaying for players. if it means a down year for restocking/development every 3 or 4 years, ill take it over the salary cap hell some teams get in. it is a testament to the steelers personnel dept that they have had this very good run under cowher without breaking the break on any big time FAs that i can remember.

I agree totally with your assessment. I wouldn't break the bank for Burress either, but that's just my point - 6 years at $20 million is not exactly going to string you up. He'd be making about a third of what Hartings is getting, no?

hartings restructured his deal and i would argue that any of the OL positions are more important to the steelers success than WR2. i would rather have wilson and the extra $$ to sign an Olineman for depth since we are losing the right side of the line, than have plax and one less solid Olineman.

I'm on board with your logic. Agree that any OL position is more important than WR2. I'm just not sure that I wouldn't rather have Burress than Wilson and 1.33 million in cap room. It would depend on what they eventually do with that cap room...

 

[tommyGunZ]

I understand the distain re: Burress in Steelerland, but I think Pitt will miss Burress more than they think next year. I won't be a Hines Ward owner, that's for sure.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

Chris Mort was just on WEEI here in Boston and he was scratching his head on this one.  He says that NY didn't even know he was coming so for him not to show up is a NON ISSUE! 

Just telling you what I heard 5 min's ago!

That is really bizarre.

yes it is -- if mort had visited the shark pool yesterday, he would've been better informed.

 

[Scruff Mcgruff]

oz, there's to much quoting i'd have to do but minnesota's temperature doesn't really come into play cause they play in a dome.

 

[-OZ-]

oz, there's to much quoting i'd have to do but minnesota's temperature doesn't really come into play cause they play in a dome.

Hence the question: "s his desire to play in nice weather, or to get a tan in his off time?"Meaning - some people like to live in warm climates. Now, he went to college at Michigan State, so it would appear he doesn't mind living in the cold, but maybe that's changed, and maybe the idea of girls in bikinis year-round appeals to him?

 

[Dancing Bear]

According to the

Star Tribune

, the Vikings are not interested in Burress.

IMHO he will be sitting home just like the rest of us this Fall.

He wants Top 5 money for being a Top 25 WR. No one will be foolish enough to bite.

His hands let him down regularly, and his blocking is mediocre.

Unless he wises up, he will be eating popcorn and drinking cold ones from his couch!

 

[fatness]

New York Daily News article

Plaxico Burress was feeling much better yesterday, and if all goes according to plan he'll be at Giants Stadium around noon today.The 27-year-old receiver will make his long-awaited free-agent visit to the Giants, two days after he had to cancel because of the flu. It is the only free-agent visit he has scheduled, according to a source, and it's possible that by the time he leaves tomorrow morning he will have agreed to terms on a deal.That, at least, appears to be his hope. How realistic it is remains to be seen. According to a source close to the receiver, he is seeking a contract similar to the six-year, $30 million contract and the $12 million signing bonus Muhsin Muhammad got from the Chicago Bears last month. A league source said the Giants were initially discussing a six-year, $20 million contract with a $4 million signing bonus for Burress.But the source close to Burress disputed those figures. He said the two sides were closer than most people believe - "close in terms of a starting point, but still far apart on numbers," he said. And though he declined to say exactly what the numbers were, he expressed optimism that they could convince the Giants to increase their offer by the end of the day.If they don't, Burress will head back to Miami, where the source said he has been getting a full-court press from Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper all week. Culpepper has also been lobbying Vikings coach Mike Tice, who told the St. Paul Pioneer Press, "We do have an interest, but (not) at the level the agent was talking about."Burress has no plans to visit Minnesota any time soon. He also doesn't appear to have any other interested teams. His old team, the Steelers, said yesterday they'd still like to re-sign him. But at the same time, they replaced him by signing Cedric Wilson to a four-year, $8 million deal.In an effort to drum up business, Burress' agent, Michael Harrison, has also called the Eagles and the Buccaneers, but neither team appears to have the 6-5, 226-pound receiver in their plans. That leaves the Giants as the lone apparent suitor, which is why Burress will be on a morning flight from Miami that is scheduled to land around 11 a.m.

 

[BlueOnion]

We should give a nice golf clap to Plaxico's agent, he has worked his tail off. Picking up the phone and attempting to stir up interest by calling the Giants, Vikings, Eagles and Buccaneers.

 

[Steelers4Life]

We should give a nice golf clap to Plaxico's agent, he has worked his tail off. Picking up the phone and attempting to stir up interest by calling the Giants, Vikings, Eagles and Buccaneers.

It's not that teams don't want him.His salary demands are too high. If they come down to a reasonable level, you'r going to see more teams get involved.

 

[Johnny Rotten]

Plaxico is a cancer. They guy thinks way too much of himself is simply not worth the dollars he is seeking. He is most definitely not what Eli needs, an overpriced undependable receiver.

 

[BlueOnion]

Plaxico is a cancer. They guy thinks way too much of himself is simply not worth the dollars he is seeking. He is most definitely not what Eli needs, an overpriced undependable receiver.

You will not find a bigger Plaxico basher than myself, but I don't think I would go as far as to call him a cancer.

 

[Koya]

The guy has skills. He has no brain, but he has skills. Because of the latter, he often forgets how to use the former. That said, if the Giants can land him at a reasonable price, his physical presence alone will help the team and Eli greatly. In addition, with some coaching and maturity, Plax still has the ability to be a dominating force in a game. Sadly we see that about 2 times a year... perhaps maturity will bring a bit more consistency.Either way, as a Giants fan, I would love to have Plax out there - at the right price.

 

[Boone22]

NFL | Burress May Seek One-year Deal - from www.KFFL.comWed, 9 Mar 2005 05:37:02 -0800ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports free agent WR Plaxico Burress (Steelers) may consider a one-year deal if he does not receive what he believes is a market-value proposal on a long-term deal. Under such a game plan, Burress would then hope to have a big 2005 season and re-enter the free agent market again in 2006.

 

[LHUCKS]

NFL | Burress May Seek One-year Deal - from www.KFFL.com

Wed, 9 Mar 2005 05:37:02 -0800

ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports free agent WR Plaxico Burress (Steelers) may consider a one-year deal if he does not receive what he believes is a market-value proposal on a long-term deal. Under such a game plan, Burress would then hope to have a big 2005 season and re-enter the free agent market again in 2006.

I like that move by Plax...the best way to back up your talk and prove your market worth is to go out there and prove it.