EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — As the Giants took the field for the first time in the post-Michael Strahan era, it was the absence of two other stars that threatened the team’s harmony and quickly dimmed its championship glow.
Receiver Plaxico Burress watched the first practice of the three-day minicamp from the sideline, and he later said that he was plenty healthy to play but would not practice without a new contract. Although he has three years left on the deal he signed in 2005, he has seen other top receivers sign more lucrative deals this off-season.
Tight end Jeremy Shockey, who missed the Super Bowl run with a broken leg and asked for a trade this off-season, came to the minicamp but stayed indoors while other injured players watched workouts from the practice field sideline.
The Giants had hoped that their biggest issue heading toward training camp next month was in replacing Strahan, the defensive end who retired Tuesday after 15 seasons. That hope lasted about 24 hours.
The bigger issues, apparently, are Burress and Shockey, two close friends who threaten to put a two-pronged wedge through the lingering feel-good aftermath of the Giants’ Super Bowl victory in February. If nothing else, they served as a blunt reminder that the first game of 2008 is now closer than the last game of the 2007 season.
Burress gave little inkling of his displeasure until he was asked Wednesday whether he might be able to take part in any of the workouts this week. It was presumed he was not practicing because he was rehabilitating the sore ankles that limited his practice time last season, and Coach Tom Coughlin said after the morning workout that Burress was resting a sore knee.
That tale was unraveled minutes later.
“Me and my agent are trying to get a deal done for the future, so that I can remain a New York Giant,” Burress said. “We’re just not happy with the way things are going right now. That’s basically the main reason why I’m not out there.”
Reporters did a double-take. Burress was asked if he was healthy enough to practice.
“Oh, yeah,” he said. “I’m choosing not to participate.”
He suggested that he would strongly consider missing training camp in a contract dispute. Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for Burress and Shockey, acknowledged that Burress was seeking a new deal.
“We are in discussions with the Giants as it relates to a contract extension for Plaxico, and we are hopeful of getting something worked out here in the near future,” Rosenhaus said.
The Giants’ general manager, Jerry Reese, declined to comment.
Earlier this month, Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens agreed to a contract extension designed to keep him in Dallas through 2011. His deal is worth a reported $34 million and includes a $12.9 million signing bonus. This spring, the Patriots re-signed receiver Randy Moss for three years and $27 million, including a $12 million signing bonus. And the Raiders signed Javon Walker for six years and $55 million, including a reported $16 million guaranteed.
In 2005, after five seasons with the Steelers, Burress signed a six-year contract with the Giants worth $25 million, including slightly more than $8 million in bonus money. He is scheduled to make a combined $10.5 million in base salary that is not guaranteed over the next three years: $3.25 million this season, $3.5 million in 2009 and $3.75 in 2010.
Burress led the Giants last season with 70 catches for 1,025 yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season. He caught the winning touchdown pass in the 17-14 Super Bowl victory over the Patriots and was widely lauded for playing most of the season on sore ankles. He will turn 31 on Aug. 12 and is entering his ninth season.
“We’ve been trying to handle this with class; we’ve been trying to handle it the right way,” Burress said. “Sometimes you’ve just got to stand up for what’s right.”
The more predictable ripple to minicamp arrived in the form of Shockey, the volatile star tight end. After the morning practice, Coughlin was asked if there was a reason for Shockey to be the only player not outside with the team.
“No, not really,” Coughlin said.
Asked if Shockey was supposed to be outside with teammates, Coughlin added, “That is between Shockey and I.”
Coughlin said his only communication with Shockey this off-season was through a few text messages. Through a team spokesman, Shockey declined to speak with reporters.
“Jeremy has stated his position that any discussions of his relationship with the team is something that he wants to keep between us and the club,” Rosenhaus said.
Shockey has long been unhappy with his role in the team’s offense, and he senses that the team feels it might be better off without him. He broke his fibula and injured his ankle in the 14th game of the season and was placed on injured reserve.
He watched the Super Bowl from a luxury box but did not attend the victory parade in Manhattan or the rally at Giants Stadium. He also did not attend the recent ceremony at which team members received Super Bowl rings.
EXTRA POINTS
Justin Tuck assumed Strahan’s spot at left defensive end during drills. Mathias Kiwanuka, the end-turned-linebacker, played at strong-side linebacker. ...The injury list made it feel like mid-November, not mid-June. Among those not practicing were linebackers Danny Clark (hernia) and Gerris Wilkinson (knee), who may battle for the starting spot vacated by Kawika Mitchell, who left for the Bills. Chase Blackburn played in that spot. Cornerbacks Corey Webster (quadriceps) and Sam Madison (hernia) also sat out. Aaron Ross and Kevin Dockery lined up with the first team.
My take on this is that the Giants should give Plax a new contract and pay him to the level of the highest paid receivers. He played all year with his ankle injury and scored the winning touch down in the Super Bowl. I believe most Giants' fans would agree. He should get his money. Shockey on the other hand is starting to piss me off. We get it. You're upset that everyone is saying we don't need you. You're upset because you're not relevant anymore. You're upset because your attitude doesn't get you a free pass anymore. Well you don't have to remind us of this everyday. You are like a spoiled brat. All you do is bitch and moan. You want the respect back. You don't sit out of practice. The way to earn back the respect is to show you want to be there. You should be the hardest working player in camp. You should be involved in every drill that you can be. You should be calling for extra practice. You should be trying to stay after practice soaking up film. Basically you should be working so hard that coach Coughlin has to yell at you to stop. Then you will earn our respect back. You know what I'll make it easier. Start off by doing the bare minimum. All you have to do is outwork Kevin Boss who right now is my starting Tight End. That is all the motivation you need. This whole crap is a ploy by Shock and agent Drew Rosendouche-bag to get Shock traded. It may work but for right now you are still a Giant and you should be with the team. Stay tuned Giant fans. This is just the beginning.
.JPG)
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