Plaxico May Not Be The Only Giant Problem

You know it's not your normal Monday when I'm writing about OFF the field stuff instead of on following a Sunday chock full of local NFL tidbits. The Jets with a major letdown, and the Giants, without Plaxico Burress, breezed by the Redskins. Instead, we have to hear about Burress and the possible involvement of linebacker Antonio Pierce in an assanine incident Friday night.

Burress has been the talk of Thanksgiving Weekend, accidenatally shooting himself at the trendy Latin Quarter club in Manhattan just after midnight Friday night. The good news: Thank God Burress is OK and that neither he nor anyone else was seriously injured. But not only is this the straw that most likely broke the Giants (and the NFL's) back as far as Plax playing the rest of this season. Reports are circulating that Antonio Pierce may be investigated. According to reports, Pierce took Burress to Plaxico's home in New Jersey and arranged for Burress to be treated at Cornell Medical Center. He may have also hid the weapon in question for awhile. The hospital may not have called the police. If these allegations are true, not only will Big Blue have lost Burress but very possibly Pierce if he is charged in connection with this incident.

THe Giants have already shown they can win WITHOUT Burress, but can the same be said about Pierce, clearly their emotional leader on defense? The Giants have already made due without the retired Michael Strahan and injured Osi Umenyiora. Burress is now done for the season. At some point, the team will be hit with a lack of depth.

Let's face it: Burress is most to blame here. Carrying around an unlicensed gun is never a bright thing, especially at a public place. If he is worthy of jail, I will shed no tears. Hopefully Plaxico will get a wakeup call and straighten out his life-and the Giants and Pierce can keep driving to a 2nd straight Super Bowl.