Visit All World All Sports

by Digger

It happens every season. The list is long. Star players exhibiting selfish attitudes, arguing with fellow players or coaches, becoming locker room distractions, drugs/alcohol etc. High profile players are often tumultuous. Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson, Randy Moss, Ricky Williams, Chris Carter are a few big names from recent years.

Super Bowl Champion New York Giants (3-0) aren't immune. Star wideout and team reception leader Plaxico Burress has been suspended by Coach Coughlin for missing team meetings earlier this week. Evidently he didn't return Coughlin's calls seeking an explanation. Burress is an idiot. His team is undefeated. There's no good reason to become a distraction when most things seem to be going right for New York.

Sometimes timing is everything. This is not the right time for a starting wr to be missing more practices. Burress didn't partake in many spring activities since he was nursing an injury. He's been hobbled recently too but has performed well in games so far. Giants have a bye this week meaning they don't return to the gridiron until October 5. Burress isn't eligible to return until the 6th.

It's sad how certain players continuously do stupid things. Usually deriving from putting themselves above others. Some recover (Moss, Carter, Ownes). Some don't (Quincy Carter, Ryan Leaf). The verdict is still out on others, including Burress. At least with Burress, he comes to play on game day. I'll give him credit for giving it all when on the field. Coughlin has laid down the law. It's up to Plax to do the right thing from here on in off of the field. He's an integral part of the Giants attack so for his teams' sake, wake up!

When do these guys ever learn? Chad Johnson should have paid better attention to Owens when he and McNabb were fueding. He came across as a babbling selfish fool. Chad Johnson continues agitating tactics against Cincy's entire organization. His latest antic was legally changing his name to Chad Ocho Cinco.

Most of these guys should just shut up and play. Nobody likes drama queens so leave it in the parking lot fellas. Not many fans will sympathize with multi-million dollar game players who whine or disrupt team chemistry. Burress can either take this suspension like a man. Stay in game shape on his own (not allowed to work out with team). And, when the dust settles... come back playing inspired football. Or, he can continue his little drama and face further ramifications. The choice sounds easy for level headed folks. But, this is the NFL where anything can and usually does happen. New York has deep depth at WR. They're all talented and eager to play.

Not participating in practice has become the norm for this guy. After signing a lucrative deal back in '05 he wanted to be traded only a few months later. Last year, he rarely practiced at all due to a bum ankle. Not sure why any level headed player would skip out on film sessions unless there's a point to be made. Hopefully, not a drug related incident. We'll soon see how this plays out. The worst thing for him to do is open his mouth spouting off at the team.

Giants QB Eli Manning has plenty of weapons on offense. Burress will be missed but this is a resilient cast of characters. Plax would be wise to take notice former loudmouth TE Jeremy Shockey was kept away from players during their Super Playoff season (traded in off-season). Top management will have no problem suspending Burress for the remainder if he keeps up his non practice participation ways. Snap out of it. Suck it up and be a team player.

Coughlin should be admired for reminding players exactly who runs the team. He's the man in New York, take it or leave it. He's also very well focused on the Giants task at hand. He's the Mission Master. NFC East is NFL's toughest. Giants (3-0), Cowboys (3-0), Redskins (2-1), Eagles (2-1). There's no room for error. TC's a perfectionist.

The younger receivers normally watching from the sidelines will get a shot when Seattle comes to town October 5th. Manning has been so precise it won't matter who's on the receiving end. They're all gamers.

Plaxico, get with the program or begone!