# NFC East 2008 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 3, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891 "2008-09-03T17:23:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/361 "2008-11-30T15:16:16Z")
I mostly agree, **VarlosZ** , but even I am starting to waver. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/362 "2008-11-30T21:26:29Z")
Based on tie breakers it looks like all the \*\*Giants \*\*have to do is win next week over the Eagles to win the Division. It would put the \*\*Giants \*\*at 12 wins which is the most Dallas could get and the \*\*Giants \*\*would be 5-0 in Division which gives the \*\*Giants \*\*the Tie-Breaker. If the \*\*Giants \*\*win, then beating Dallas the following week would secure it of course. In fact as the \*\*Giants \*\*are 8-0 in conference the \*\*Giants \*\*win the division with any combination of a single \*\*Giants \*\*win or Dallas loss. As a \*\*Giants \*\* fan I find this amazing. It also appears Burress might end up in jail which would probably get us out of his contract. It might only be probation though. Jim ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2008, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/363 "2008-11-30T21:49:21Z")
I’m rooting for the Giants to win out. That way their record can be 15-1\*. - Ass kicked by Cleveland Browns (edit: It’s pretty much the only positive this season. KEN DORSEY TIME WHEEEE) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/364 "2008-12-01T01:52:06Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > A) With Plaxico as their #1, the Giants have great depth at WR. Without him, they just don’t. Without Plax \*and \*any one of Toomer/Smith/Hixon, they suddenly have a big problem at WR. > > B) He just signed a 5 year extension. Cutting him would be expensive. Meh. He’s being paid $60 million over the next 5-odd years to be what amounts to a very expensive decoy. He hasn’t had a single good game since Week 2, let alone a great one. I’m not saying they should cut him, but I bet somebody out there thinks he’d be worth trading for. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/365 "2008-12-01T06:42:21Z")
Chris Mortensen pointed out that Plaxico’s big new contract has a lot of conditional money based on playing time. With him off the field, it’s no longer a huge contract. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/366 "2008-12-01T13:41:43Z")
I’m not sure what the Giants want to do is going to matter much at this point. With a gunshot wound and a trial, he’s not terribly likely to play again this year. From what I can tell (and I’m not a lawyer), the mandatory minimum for the crime with which he’ll be charged is three and a half years in prison, and even if he pleads down - and he’s said he’ll be pleading not guilty - the mandatory minimum for the next lower felony would still be two years. It’s possible, I guess, that Plax could take this to trial and somehow convince a jury that he was not in possession of the unregistered firearm that he used to shoot himself in the leg, but the likeliest outcome here is that Plaxico Burress is going to go to jail for a while. Given the huge emphasis that (NYC) Mayor Bloomberg has placed on getting guns out of the city, there is no way that any DA is going to be allowed to plead this down to a misdemeanor (which, I think, is why Plax will have to plead not guilty and hope for the best). So if he goes to jail, the Giants will sue to recover his signing bonus, and I’d guess the relationship between the player and the team will be permanently severed. Just as Mike Vick may play football again, but will never play football again with the Falcons, we’re probably never going to see Burress suit up for the Giants again. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/367 "2008-12-01T13:51:02Z")
> [@storyteller0910](#): > > I’m not sure what the Giants want to do is going to matter much at this point. With a gunshot wound and a trial, he’s not terribly likely to play again this year. From what I can tell (and I’m not a lawyer), the mandatory minimum for the crime with which he’ll be charged is three and a half years in prison, and even if he pleads down - and he’s said he’ll be pleading not guilty - the mandatory minimum for the next lower felony would still be two years. > > It’s possible, I guess, that Plax could take this to trial and somehow convince a jury that he was not in possession of the unregistered firearm that he used to shoot himself in the leg, but the likeliest outcome here is that Plaxico Burress is going to go to jail for a while. Given the huge emphasis that (NYC) Mayor Bloomberg has placed on getting guns out of the city, there is no way that any DA is going to be allowed to plead this down to a misdemeanor (which, I think, is why Plax will have to plead not guilty and hope for the best). > > So if he goes to jail, the Giants will sue to recover his signing bonus, and I’d guess the relationship between the player and the team will be permanently severed. Just as Mike Vick may play football again, but will never play football again with the Falcons, we’re probably never going to see Burress suit up for the Giants again. 100% correct including the plea still having a minimum sentence of 2 years. Additionally the Giants will probably sit on his December bonus check of $1,000,000. I think it is no longer an if but a how long will it take to straighten out Plaxico’s separation from the Giants and how this will affect the cap. It still sounds like Pierce is only going to be in minor trouble and there is a possibility he will be in no trouble as the gun may have never left Manhattan. Unconfirmed reports that Bradshaw was the third player and he probably will have nothing to worry about. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/368 "2008-12-01T16:04:50Z")
The lawyer guy on Mike & Mike this morning said that due to being a first time offender, it is unlikely Burress will do any time. I tend to agree that he’ll never wear a Giants uniform again. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/369 "2008-12-01T16:13:57Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > The lawyer guy on Mike & Mike this morning said that due to being a first time offender, it is unlikely Burress will do any time. Other NY Lawyers are saying that that is unlikely. I read one in the News and WFAN had a Lawyer on that said unless he is found innocent it will be hard to avoid jail time. I guess as always we’ll have to wait and see. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/370 "2008-12-01T16:33:21Z")
I’d be willing to bet that he does three months or less, and I think there’s a very good chance he does less than a week in custody, or effectively no time whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/371 "2008-12-01T17:28:39Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > I’d be willing to bet that he does three months or less, and I think there’s a very good chance he does less than a week in custody, or effectively no time whatsoever. I’ll take that bet. By what mechanism would Burress wind up spending less than three months in jail, given that the mandatory minimum for his current charge is three and a half years? To what lesser charge would a New York DA, operating under a Mayoral administration that has made strict enforcement of illegal handgun laws an explicit priority, allow Burress to plead that would enable this to happen? I’m not being difficult, here, I’m actually interested in the answer. Are there any folks who actually know the applicable laws who could comment on this? ---
**Author:** ![flex727](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@flex727](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flex727)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/372 "2008-12-01T18:42:44Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I tend to agree that he’ll never wear a Giants uniform again. Ugh, which means Jerry Jones’ Caller ID will be showing up on his phone shortly. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/373 "2008-12-01T20:52:20Z")
Bloomberg has come out publicly saying that he expects Burress to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Looks like he’s gunning for the full 3.5 years. Not looking too good for Plax. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/374 "2008-12-01T21:09:13Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Bloomberg has come out publicly saying that he expects Burress to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Looks like he’s gunning for the full 3.5 years. > > Not looking too good for Plax. I’m trying to decide if it is good or bad in the long run for the Giants. Obviously a healthy cooperative Plax would be the best thing, but as he has instead been an overpaid, problem child that has been injury plagued this might get the Giants out of the contract with a minimal cap hit. That could be a big positive. What’s your take? ---
**Author:** ![Chanteuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de053/32.png) [@Chanteuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chanteuse)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/375 "2008-12-01T22:17:06Z")
> [@flex727](#): > > Ugh, which means Jerry Jones’ Caller ID will be showing up on his phone shortly. :eek: Bite your tongue. I’m still cringing with apprehension wondering if he’s going to call Michael Vick. I _heartily_ wish Jerry Jones would quit using Dallas as the NFL’s “halfway house.” ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2008, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/376 "2008-12-01T23:48:36Z")
> [@Chanteuse](#): > > I _heartily_ wish Jerry Jones would quit using Dallas as the NFL’s “halfway house.” Really…that’s what we have Oakland for. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/377 "2008-12-02T17:39:53Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I’m trying to decide if it is good or bad in the long run for the Giants. Obviously a healthy cooperative Plax would be the best thing, but as he has instead been an overpaid, problem child that has been injury plagued this might get the Giants out of the contract with a minimal cap hit. That could be a big positive. > > What’s your take? I’m not sure how you can call a guy who almost singlehandedly beat Green Bay in the NFC Championship game and then followed that up with the Superbowl-winning TD catch overpaid. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/378 "2008-12-02T18:05:14Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > A) With Plaxico as their #1, the Giants have great depth at WR. Without him, they just don’t. Without Plax \*and \*any one of Toomer/Smith/Hixon, they suddenly have a big problem at WR. Presumably, they would be replacing him. Anquan Boldin will be out there this offseason, and he’s better than Burruss. If not Boldin, there are other functional players they could get/draft. > [@](#): > > B) He just signed a 5 year extension. Cutting him would be expensive. Yes, but not prohibitively so. > [@](#): > > C) And how troublesome has he really been? He missed a few meetings, which obviously is unacceptable and shouldn’t happen, but in the grand scheme of things is not a huge deal. Accidentally shooting himself is somewhat more troubling, but, again, is not the end of the world: he’s not hurting other people, and there’s no reason to think he’s some sort of recidivist. There’s a very good chance he gets his act together and has a mostly controversy-free career from this point on. This (probably) isn’t a Cris Henry or Pacman Jones-style life-crash. No reason to cut bait yet. Might want to ask Antonio Pierce about “not hurting other people.” Given the trajectory he’s been on, I see no reason to assume he “gets his act together and has a mostly controversy-free career from this point on.” It’s possible, sure. It’s also possible that getting out of this jam will reinforce a sense of invulnerablity and he will continue on until he is Pacman/Michel Vick/2004 TO-level distraction. You wanna wait until he is? It’s a moot point, though – unless his lawyers pull a miracle, I’m with those who see jail in his future. he’s done with the Jints, and depending how long he’s out, maybe with the league. UFL broadcasts c. 2012 may feature Vick throwing to Burruss, covered by Jones… ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/379 "2008-12-02T18:09:12Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I’m not sure how you can call a guy who almost singlehandedly beat Green Bay in the NFC Championship game and then followed that up with the Superbowl-winning TD catch overpaid. He has _one_ 100 yard game this year. One. He impressed me mightily last year by playing well on a busted ankle for an entire season, but then this year happened and I realized he was pulling a Shaun Alexander- busting his butt for a year to get that last big contract, knowing he could start mailing it in again afterwards. He’s only cracked 1,000 yards four times in nine seasons- and he wasn’t close to being on pace to do it this year before he got hurt. Hines Ward- who never ever gets mentioned among the top 10 wideouts in the league- had virtually identical numbers over his first nine seasons. So what if he made a Superbowl-winning TD catch? Dexter Jackson made a Superbowl-winning interception and returned it for a touchdown, and was gone from the Bucs’ roster three months later. Deion Branch had 11 catches in the Superbowl and was sent packing after the next season- and both won the MVP award. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891/380 "2008-12-02T18:45:23Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I’m not sure how you can call a guy who almost singlehandedly beat Green Bay in the NFC Championship game and then followed that up with the Superbowl-winning TD catch overpaid. Sorry, I meant on this new contract this year. I think he earned his money and a small bit more for the last few years but with all the shenanigans of this season and injuries and lack of practice and now this. He should probably just go and the Giants will probably be better off for it. If he costs the Giants his service it is bad, if he costs us Pierce’s service it might kill our playoff run. I think he is now officially a bad influence or even a clubhouse cancer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfc-east-2008/461891.md?page=20)