On a day Jeremy Shockey was going to be the story even though he did not utter a word, teammate Plaxico Burress rocked the first day of Giants minicamp by announcing he will not practice until he receives a new contract.
Burress, coming off knee and ankle problems he played through last season, declared today he is healthy enough to participate on the field. Asked why he remained on the sideline, Burress said, “It’s a business decision,” then proceeded to wade into controversial waters.
Burress in 2005 came to the Giants as a free agent, signing a six-year, $25 million deal. He has three years remaining on his contract and is scheduled to be paid $3.25 million this season, $3.5 million in 2009 and $3.75 in 2010.
Burress said he feels he is underpaid in a market where new deals have been given to receivers Randy Moss (three years, $27 million), Terrell Owens (three years, $27 million), and Larry Fitzgerald (four years, $40 million).
Now Burress wants a raise and said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and the Giants have been in negotiations for a few months.
“We tried to handle it with class, keep it as quiet as we can, I guess you got to start somewhere,” Burress said. “I just feel it’s about doing what’s right. That’s the way I see it. I haven’t been happy with the way it’s been going, that’s the reason I’m not participating.”
Asked if he will report to training camp if he does not have a new deal, Burress smiled and said, “I guess we’ll have to see what happens when it comes around. I got a pretty good idea what I’ll do.”
Rosenhaus said, “We are in discussions with the Giants as it relates to a contract extension for Plaxico. We’re hopeful to get something worked out here in the near future.”
This minicamp is mandatory and Burress did report, but he did withhold his services on the field.
“I’m here so I don’t think I can get fined,” he said.
As for Shockey, he did arrive but did not step foot on the field, which seemed to irritate Tom Coughlin. Shockey is recovering from leg and ankle surgery and is not ready to practice, but the other players held out because of injuries or ailments all made it out to the field — not Shockey.
Coughlin said the only contact he’s had with Shockey this offseason is “a series of text messages.” He spoke with Shockey prior to practice but would not divulge what was said. Shockey also blew off the media interview session.