Giants Can Move On Without Burress
Coach Tom Coughlin was asked if the Giants were considering deactivating Burress. If he was put on the non-football injury list they would not have to pay him.
“We’re dealing with that today. Discussions are ongoing. We just put the Redskins game to rest. We’re going to be discussing those other issues as we gain information over the next couple of days. We’re in the stages of trying to gather information and make decisions as to where we go from here. At this point in time I’m not prepared to say anything else.”
The Giants have not seemed to miss a beat, either if Plaxico is playing or not. Coughlin spoke about how the team has overcome whatever is thrown their way.
“I think the team has demonstrated that on more than one occasion this year, this is an outstanding group of young men and we’re focused on doing their job to the best of their ability,” Coughlin said. “They’ve been able to do that whatever circumstances have come their way to this point in time. Obviously they have to stay strong and make sure the distractions are as minimal as they can be.”
Peter King of Sports Illustrated broke down the details of the contract that GM Jerry Reese negotiated with Burress this offseason. The contract is very much in the Giants favor in terms of giving them flexibility. Details are after the jump.
The Giants can cut or trade Burress after the season and simply eliminate $23 million of the $27-million-in-new-money deal he signed with the Giants. The first big test of this contract will come on Dec. 10, when Burress is due $1 million from the original and only guaranteed money in the deal, the third installment of a $4.325-million signing bonus when he signed. The following is a breakdown of the non-guaranteed money in Plaxico’s contract:
- Non-guaranteed base salaries: $11.5 million ($1 million in 2009, $3.5 million in 2010, $3.5 million in 2011, $3.5 million in 2012).
- Non-guaranteed one-time bonus to be paid early in the ’09 off-season: $2 million.
- Non-guaranteed roster bonuses: $3.5 million ($500,000 in ’09, $1 million in 2010, $1 million in 2011, $1 million in 2012).
- Non-guaranteed escalators, payable only on high performance: $5 million ($1.25 million in ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12.) He has not reached his escalators yet that would kick in for 2009.
- Non-guaranteed workout bonuses: $1.3 million ($325,000 in ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12).
Burress also has a clause in his contract that could come into play and cost him $400,000 this year. For every game he’s ineligible to play in because of non-injury reasons, he doesn’t earn a $100,000 per game roster bonus.
