Burress

Giant’s training camp reports would have us believe there’s a deadly disease about to ravage the team. Plaxicoitis! It’s very similar to Shockeyitis except the Giants are now immune to that strain. It seems that Plaxico Burress is about to single-handley ruin the upcoming season because he hasn’t gotten a new contract. Well, just between you and me, I’m not buying it. Are you? I think, forecasting doom for the Giants because of Plaxicoitis is about as sensible as predicting doom from indigestion. Could it happen? Yeah, I guess so. Is it likely? No, not really. So, what’s all the noise about?

Okay, an extension or a restructuring or a raise — superficial, to soothe his ego — may be in order. Let’s face it, the guy really did demonstrate grit and guts playing on one leg last year. But, let’s say the Giants don’t restructure or extend or raise. Then what? Is there a player mutiny? Nah, the players know that not everybody gets what they contractually want. So, does Plaxicoitis really ravage the team? Come on, be serious. What’s the guy going to do?

Is he going to say he’s injured and can’t practice? Okay, let the doctors look at him and if he can’t practice, fine — don’t practice. If he CAN practice but won’t practice, then fine him. On the other hand, if he says he can’t practice but CAN play, that’s fine, too. Hell, he didn’t practice all of last year and played great. If he says he doesn’t want to play, okay, that’s breach of contract. Fine him and let someone else play. The position is loaded with talent this year. And, ask yourself this, if he doesn’t play, what does that do for him? Nothing. Plaxico can’t help Plaxico by not playing. The fact is, he has no real options.

So, whatever he does or doesn’t do, it won’t undermine the Giants. This a young, well coached team, in a great organization, with a steady influx of talent and a coaching staff that can coach-up that talent. If one guy wants to pout, fine. He has absolutely no bargaining chips. So, come on media guys, lighten the up. The only person susceptible to Plaxicoitis is Plaxico himself. The G-Men? Nah, they’re immune.