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Monday Injury Report

December 2, 2008 – 6:48 am

Center Shaun O’Hara - Photo by William Hauser

Monday Injury Report: OC Shaun O’Hara left the game against the Redskins in the first quarter with a sprained knee but returned in the second quarter.

“(O’Hara) came right back in and he is obviously sore today (on Monday),” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “And he is going to be in the training room working on that. And we will see to what extent he is affected and whether or not he can practice, or practice full on Wednesday.  We will see as we go along.  I thought he showed great toughness going right back in.”

CB Corey Webster also injured his back in the game. “He was a little stiff and tight in the back today (on Monday),” said Coughlin. “But I don’t know that that is an issue.”

Latest on the Burress/Pierce Situation: WR Plaxico Burress surrendered to NYPD authorities yesterday morning. Burress was charged with possessing a loaded firearm with intent to use it unlawfully against another person and with possessing a loaded firearm outside of his home and place of business. Burress was later led in handcuffs to a Manhattan courthouse where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. Burress was released after posting $100,000 a bail. Burress’ next court appearance is scheduled for March 31, 2009.

“I think a lot of what’s been in the press is not accurate,” said Burress’ lawyer. “But I think we’ll sort that out in court.”

“I stopped trying to predict outcomes,” said Burress’ lawyer. “My hope is it plays out well and he can continue his career because he’s a good person with a brilliant athletic career and it would be a terrible sadness if an isolated incident could ruin a life.”

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg contends that Burress will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Bloomberg stated that under New York law if you are convicted of carrying a loaded illegal handgun “you go automatically to three-and-a-half years in the slammer…And I don’t think that anybody should be exempt from that. And I think it would be an outrage if we don’t prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”

Bloomberg also harshly criticized the Giants for not notifying police authorities about the shooting incident. “The Giants didn’t call,” said Bloomberg. “And the Giants should have picked up the phone right away as good corporate citizens. I don’t care whether (there is) the legal responsibility for them to do it.”

The Giants released a statement saying they are working with police authorities. “We are working closely with the police and NFL Security. In the early hours of Saturday morning, as we started to get a sense of what we were dealing with, we did, in fact, notify NFL Security, which then contacted the police.”

Meanwhile, according to SportsIllustrated.CNN.com, $23 million of Burress’ current contract is based on future earnings. SportsIllustrated.CNN.com says that Burress is due a $1 million bonus on December 10. Further details of the contract are provided at SportsIllustrated.CNN.com. The Star-Ledger is reporting that Burress could actually lose almost $32 million. See details at NJ.com.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin only briefly commented on Burress yesterday during his regularly-scheduled media conference call. “The NY Police Department and the NFL Security and the Commissioner’s office are all conducting investigations,” said Coughlin. “Due to the nature of that, obviously there is not much that I’m going to say…Today (on Monday) we (the Giants) have had some (internal) discussions (about Burress). Those discussions will be ongoing.”

Burress was moving without the aid of crutches yesterday and did not appear to be limping despite the gunshot wound to his right leg. Technically, Burress is required to show up at Giants Stadium today to receive medical treatment for his injured right leg (hamstring and gunshot). ESPN is reporting that the Giants have notified Burress that he must report. Last night, Burress’ agent said Burress would report to the team today.

“I’m very touched by the way the Giants have handled this,” said Burress’ agent. “We have not talked about the contract. They’ve not talked about him playing. They’re concerned about his health, his well-being and his welfare about the human being. Through all my conversations their last concern is about football, it’s about Plax the person.”

Two other Giants who were at the nightclub when Burress accidentally wounded himself were MLB Antonio Pierce and HB Ahmad Bradshaw. Pierce is still be investigated for his role in the incident, including reports that he removed the firearm from the premises and possibly stashed it. Contrary to some media reports, HB Derrick Ward was not at the club.

For a good overview of the Burress situation, see Giants Debating What to Do With Troubled Burress by Thomas George of NFL.com. For a Star-Ledger editorial on Pierce, see Loyal to a Fault, New York Giants’ Antonio Pierce Learning a Tough Lesson by Steve Politi.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Monday Media Conference Call: The transcript of yesterday’s media conference call with Head Coach Tom Coughlin is available at Giants.com. The audio of the conference call is also available.

Player Media Q&As: The transcripts and audio of yesterday’s media Q&A sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

LB Antonio Pierce on WFAN: The audio of LB Antonio Pierce’s interview on WFAN yesterday is available at WFAN.com.

Notes: The 11-1 start by the Giants is the best in the team’s 84-year history.

The Giants have won seven games in a row. The last six have been against teams with winning records. The Giants can tie the record for most consecutive victories against teams with winning records if they beat the Eagles on Sunday.  The 1970 Minnesota Vikings hold the record with seven consecutive wins.

In three of the last four games, the opposing quarterback was the leading rusher against the Giants.

Visit the BBI Store: Jerseys, sweatshirts, shirts, hats, DVDs, books, and much more…at the BBI Store.

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Giants Keep Rolling, Down Skins 23-7

November 30, 2008 – 6:41 pm

Manning Throws For Over 300 Yards in the Rain
- Photo by William Hauser

Giants Keep Rolling, Down Skins 23-7: The NFL Champion New York Giants defeated the Washington Redskins 23-7 earlier today at a rain-soaked FedEx Field in Landover, MD.  The win improved the Giants’ overall record to 11-1 (4-0 in the NFC East).  The Redskins fell to 7-5 (2-3 in the NFC East).

The Giants were without a number of key players including DT Fred Robbins (shoulder), HB Ahmad Bradshaw (neck), and WR Plaxico Burress (hamstring/gunshot).

The Redskins’ defensive strategy was to load up against the Giants’ running attack and dare the Giants to beat Washington with the passing game.  The Giants responded with 296 net passing yards, while also rushing for 108 net yards.

The Redskins received the ball to start the game.  The Giants held them to a three-and-out.  On their first possession, the Giants then drove 71 yards in seven plays to take a 7-0 lead with QB Eli Manning hitting WR Amani Toomer on 40-yard touchdown pass.  The drive was kept alive twice on 3rd-and-long by Manning passes to WR Domenik Hixon.

Washington was held to another three-and-out on their second drive.  New York then marched 67 yards in 11 plays, settling for a 31-yard field goal by PK John Carney to take a 10-0 first quarter advantage.  Key plays on this drive included a 5-yard run by HB Derrick Ward on 3rd-and-3, a 24-yard pass to TE Kevin Boss, and a 15-yard completion to Toomer combined with a personal foul penalty on the Redskins.

The Redskins finally managed their initial first down of the game on their third possession, near the end of the first quarter.  Washington picked up another being forced to punt again.

The Giants then proceeded to score on their third straight drive of the game as New York moved the ball 60 yards in six plays to set up a 38-yard field goal by Carney.  The big play on the drive was a 48-yard catch-and-run by Ward.  Giants 13 - Redskins 0.

Washington scored their only points of the game on the ensuing drive, and that was aided by a questionable call.  The drive started with a poor kickoff that was fielded at the 28-yard line and returned to the Redskin 43-yard line.  Six plays later, CB Corey Webster intercepted a pass at the Giants’ 34-yard line, but Webster was called for a phantom illegal-use-of-the-hands penalty that wiped out the pick.  On the very next play, WR Devin Thomas scored on a 29-yard end around to cut the Giants’ advantage to 13-7.

The Giants did drive to the Washington 34-yard line on their ensuing possession, but on 3rd-and-6, a Manning pass intended for Hixon was intercepted at the Washington 25-yard line.  The Giants’ defense held and the Redskins punted after one first down.  The Giants drove to the Washington 38-yard line on their next possession, but Manning was stuffed on 4th-and-1 and the Giants turned the ball over on downs.  The Redskins did managed to get into field goal range right before halftime, however Washington’s kicker missed the 42-yard field goal attempt.  At halftime, the Giants led 13-7.

The Giants received the ball to start the third quarter.  After picking up one first down, the Giants were forced to punt.  Washington was then held to a three-and-out by the Giants’ defense.

On New York’s second possession of the second half, the Giants drove 48 yards in six plays to take a 20-7 advantage.  The drive began with a 23-yard run by HB Brandon Jacobs.  On 3rd-and-10, Manning found Ward for 11 yards down to the Redskins’ 2-yard line.  Two plays later, Jacobs scored from one yard out.

The ensuing drive by the Redskins ended when CB Aaron Ross intercepted a deep pass from QB Jason Campbell at the Giants’ 3-yard line.  The Giants were able to move the football out to the Redskins’ 45-yard line, but then were forced to punt when Jacobs was stuffed on 3rd-and-1.

The Redskins were held to yet another three-and-out on their next possession, but so too then were the Giants.  A key moment in the game came on Washington’s fourth possession of the second half.  Facing a 4th-and-1 from their own 39-yard line, the Redskins decided to go for it, but HB Clinton Portis was stuffed for no gain by DE Justin Tuck.  The Giants picked up one first down to set up a successful 39-yard field goal by Carney.  Giants 23 - Redskins 7.

With about three and a half minutes to go in the game, the Redskins decided to go for it again on 4th-and-6 at the Giants’ 34-yard line.  The pass fell incomplete and the Redskins turned the football over on downs for the second straight possession.

The Giants could not pick up a first down after a holding call on Boss wiped out a 51-yard run by Ward.  On the Redskins’ final possession of the game, Washington did manage to reach the Giants’ 17-yard line, but S James Butler recovered a fumble on the game’s last play.

Offensively, Manning completed 21-of-34 passes for 305 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.  Toomer caught five passes for 85 yards and a touchdown, Ward five passes for 75 yards, Hixon five passes for 71 yards, Boss three passes for 45 yards, and WR Steve Smith two passes for 22 yards.  Jacobs carried the ball 21 times for 71 yards and a score and Ward 10 times for 30 yards.

Defensively, the Giants held Portis to 22 yards rushing on 11 attempts.  Tuck was credited with two sacks, DT Barry Cofield with one sack, and DE Renaldo Wynn with one sack.  Ross had an interception.  Cofield and CB Terrell Thomas forced fumbles, with Butler recovering one.

Highlights of the game are available at NFL.com.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Post-Game Press Conference: The video of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s post-game press conference is available at Giants.com.

Post-Game Player Media Q&A’s: The videos of the following post-game player media Q&A’s are available at Giants.com:

Post-Game Notes: Inactive for the Giants were DT Fred Robbins (shoulder), HB Ahmad Bradshaw (neck), WR Plaxico Burress (hamstring/gunshot), OT Adam Koets, DE Jerome McDougle, LB Jonathan Goff (hamstring), CB Sam Madison, and PK Lawrence Tynes.

Burress to Report to Police Authorities: According to press reports, WR Plaxico Burress, who wounded himself in the right leg when his concealed firearm accidentally discharged in a Manhattan nightclub Friday night, will report to police authorities when requested.

“We will make arrangements for Mr. Burress to be present when required,” said Burress’ lawyer.  “He’s not running away from this. He intends to deal with this responsibly, and we hope it works out in the end.  I would ask that the public, the Giants, the media and everybody else withhold judgment.  He’s presumed innocent, hasn’t been convicted of anything, and we have a long road ahead of us.”

General Manager Jerry Reese said that he has tried to reach out to Burress.  “I reached out to him and I did not get a return phone call,” said Reese.  “We haven’t spoken to him yet.”

“We’re still investigating the circumstances of how he was shot,” said Giants’ President and CEO John Mara.  “I want to wait until we find out all the facts and circumstances.  I don’t know what happened there.  And until we find out exactly what happened, we’re not going to make any comment or make any decision about his future.”

“I’m disappointed that any of our guys would put themselves in this situation,” Mara said.  “But our first concern is for Plaxico’s health and well-being.”

“We’ve been in touch with NFL Security, they’ve been in touch with the police and we’ve told them that whatever they need from us, we’re going to give them,” said Mara.  “We’re going to let the investigation play out.  There are a lot of unanswered questions.  We’re cooperating fully with both the police and NFL Security.”

MLB Antonio Pierce was with Burress when the incident occurred.  “Antonio has been cooperative with NFL Security,” Reese said. “He’s been interviewed by NFL Security, I’m not sure if he’s been interviewed by the police yet.”

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Giants-Redskins Gameday

November 30, 2008 – 9:52 am

Plaxico Burress Accidentally Shoots Self in Leg at Nightclub, Arrest Warrant to Be Issued: WR Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg at a Manhattan nightclub Friday night. He spent the night at a local hospital and was released Saturday afternoon. There are conflicting reports on the extent of the injury, some saying that Burress merely grazed himself while other saying that the bullet penetrated both skin and muscle tissue in his right thigh. A police official was quoted as saying the bullet went in and out of Burress’ thigh without hitting a major artery or bone.

There are also conflicting reports on how the weapon was discharged. Some press reports say the weapon went off when Burress was voluntarily handing the firearm over to club security. The Daily News is reporting that the gun slipped down Burress’ pant leg and it went off when Burress reached for it.

SNY.tv is reporting that Burress does not have a gun permit and that an arrest warrant will soon be issued for carrying an unlicensed handgun. The Daily News is reporting that Burress is expected to be arrested on felony weapons charges. The NFL has also begun its own investigation and Burress could face disiplinary action from the League, including suspension.

Various press reports say police visited Burress’ home last night by were unable to talk to him. Burress’ wife apparently told police, “You can’t come in. You can’t talk to my husband.”

“He went for his gun and fumbled it. And now it will cost him,” a police source told The Daily News.

According to press reports, MLB Antonio Pierce was with Burress at the time of the incident. The Daily News is reporting that Pierce actually carried the gun away from the scene of the incident. The paper said a Giants’ official will be turning the weapon over to police authorities. It is not known yet if Pierce is also in trouble with the law and NFL authorities. The New York Times is reporting that there may have been at least one other Giant with Burress and Pierce.

“We have people on the scene trying to gather information, get all the facts, determine exactly what happened,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “Right now we’re concerned about Plaxico and finding out all the details.”

The Giants released the following statement yesterday:

“We are aware of the fact that Plaxico was involved in an apparent accidental shooting last night. We have been in contact with Plaxico since shortly after the incident. Plaxico suffered a wound to his right thigh. Obviously, our primary concern is for Plaxico’s health and well-being, and given the circumstances, we are relieved to say he was released from a New York City hospital at approximately 2:00PM today. We have been in touch with NFL Security on this matter. At this point, we are attempting to gather all the facts surrounding this incident. This incident could become a matter for law enforcement officials, and because of that, we have no comment on any of the details.”

Burress had already been ruled out of today’s game against the Redskins due to a hamstring injury in his right leg, the same leg wounded by the bullet.

Editorials on Burress:

Giants Place S Sammy Knight on Injured Reserve; Sign DT Jeremy Clark to 53-Man Roster: The Giants have placed S Sammy Knight (hip) on Injured  Reserve, effectively ending his season. To fill Knight’s roster spot, the Giants have signed DT Jeremy Clark to the 53-man roster. Clark had been on the Giants’ Practice Squad. Because of these moves, we have updated the Player Transactions, Roster, Depth Chart, and Roster Analysis (with scouting report on Clark) sections of the website.

NY Post Q&A With MLB Antonio Pierce: Serby’s Sunday Q&A With…Antonio Pierce by Steve Serby of The New York Post

Article on the Giants’ Offensive Line: Giants Offensive Line In It Together by Ralph Vacchiano of The Daily News

Articles on WR Domenik Hixon:

By Eric From BBI | Posted in News and Notes | Comments Off Print This Post Print This Post

Latest Injury Update - Burress Out Against Redskins

November 29, 2008 – 8:22 am

Injury Update - Burress Out Against Redskins: DT Fred Robbins (shoulder), WR Plaxico Burress (hamstring), HB Ahmad Bradshaw (neck), and LB Jonathan Goff (hamstring) did not practice again yesterday. Burress and Goff have been ruled out of the game against the Redskins on Sunday. Robbins and Bradshaw are officially “questionable” for the game.

“It’s just a little sore,” Robbins said of his shoulder. “I didn’t want to bang on it during the week.”

DE Justin Tuck (lower leg) returned to practice and practiced fully. HB Brandon Jacobs (knee), WR Domenik Hixon (ankle), and DE Jerome McDougle (knee) practiced fully. Jacobs is “questionable” for the game against the Redskins; Tuck, Hixon, and McDougle are “probable.”

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Friday Press Conference: The transcript of yesterday’s press conference with Head Coach Tom Coughlin is available at Giants.com. The video of the press conference is also available.

“Coughlin’s Corner” for Week Thirteen: Week Thirteen of the weekly, in-season Giants.com Q&A with Head Coach Tom Coughlin is now available at Giants.com.

Player Media Q&As: The transcript and video of yesterday’s media Q&A sessions with the following player are available at Giants.com:

Notes: The NFL announced that the Giants game against the Cowboys on December 14 will remain an 8:15PM kickoff, as originally scheduled. Game times in the season’s final seven weeks are subject to change because of the NFL’s flex schedule policy.

Visit the BBI Store: Jerseys, sweatshirts, shirts, hats, DVDs, books, and much more…at the BBI Store.

By Eric From BBI | Posted in News and Notes | Comments Off Print This Post Print This Post

BBI Giants-Cardinals Game Review; BBI Giants-Redskins Game Preview

November 28, 2008 – 9:02 am

BigBlueInteractive.com Giants-Cardinals Game Review: Our review of the Giants-Cardinals game is now available in the Game Previews and Reviews section of the website.

BigBlueInteractive.com Giants-Redskins Game Preview: Our preview of the Giants-Redskins game is now available in the Game Previews and Reviews section of the website.

Injury Update: DE Justin Tuck (lower leg), DT Fred Robbins (shoulder), WR Plaxico Burress (hamstring), HB Ahmad Bradshaw (neck), and LB Jonathan Goff (hamstring) did not practice yesterday.

HB Brandon Jacobs (knee), WR Domenik Hixon (ankle), and DE Jerome McDougle (knee) fully practiced.

Giants Online - Week Thirteen: The video of Giants Online for Week Thirteen is available at Giants.com.

Articles on FB Madison Hedgecock:

Want to See the Giants in Person?: Tickets for home and away games are available at TicketCity.com.

Great Giants Merchandise Available at NFLShop.com?: Jerseys for all your favorite Giants’ players and much more are available in at NFLShop.com.

By Eric From BBI | Posted in News and Notes | Comments Off Print This Post Print This Post

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 27, 2008 – 9:04 am

Happy Thanksgiving from BBI!: We would like to wish all of our readers a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Injury Update: WR Plaxico Burress (hamstring), HB Brandon Jacobs (knee), HB Ahmad Bradshaw (neck), DT Fred Robbins (shoulder), and LB Jonathan Goff (hamstring) did not practice yesterday.

WR Domenik Hixon (ankle) and DE Jerome McDougle (knee) were limited.

“(Burress’ MRI showed that) he has a hamstring injury,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “He will not practice (on Wednesday). He will end up being day to day… He has a strained hamstring…So we are just going to have to wait and see. He will rehab as he has all along. He is constantly working on that. So hopefully that can be something that is overcome in a short amount of time. But let’s face it, it is a hamstring.”

“Jacobs will not practice (on Wednesday),” said Coughlin. “I expect him to work (on Thursday).”

Bradshaw hurt his neck in the game against the Cardinals. X-rays taken of his neck were negative. “I pretty much knew it wasn’t that bad,” said Bradshaw. “Hopefully it’ll be 10 times better (on Thursday).”

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Wednesday Press Conference: The transcript of yesterday’s press conference with Head Coach Tom Coughlin is available at Giants.com. The video of the press conference is also available.

Player Media Q&As: The transcripts and/or videos of yesterday’s media Q&A sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com: