What an amazing football team these New York Giants are!

With every reason to put up a stinker -- the Plaxico Problem, the emotions of the Washington Redskins on a day they inducted Sean Taylor into the team's Ring of Honor, being on the road in front of a hostile crowd, not really needing the victory -- the Giants simply played like the Giants.

They answered the questions about whether or not they could maintain their focus, and answered the challenge of the Redskins the way they have answered every other challenge this season. By outworking and outclassing another NFL team, and by winning another game to reach a lofty 11-1 record.

'Kudos' to the entire team and coaching staff for not allowing the Plaxico Problem to affect them on the field. Sunday's victory tells you all you need to know about the character and resolve of the Giants.

It is, without doubt, intact.

Now, let's get on with the traditional 'Kudos & Wet Willies' style review.

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From Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, here is the latest on the Plaxico Burress situation.

New York City law enforcement sources have told FOX Sports that they received word Sunday morning that Burress has agreed to turn himself in with attorneys by Monday. The sources said the police searched areas of New York and New Jersey yesterday looking to locate Burress to question him regarding the shooting at Latin Quarters nightclub early Saturday morning.

The Associated Press reported Sunday that the Giants' receiver will be charged with criminal possession of a weapon, according to Burress' agent Benjamin Brafman, who added that Burress will enter a "not guilty" plea.

Police had gone to his house, the hospital and staked out his car, which was left at the club as late as Saturday night, hoping to question Burress and check out the gun that was used in the shooting. When police went to Burress' house yesterday and attempted to locate him, his wife, through an intercom, insisted he was not home and that she was not with the star wide receiver when the incident took place.

Reports also indicate that Burress had a Florida gun permit but that the permit expired in May. New York law prohibits the possession of a concealed weapon within New York even if one is licensed in an outside state. Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2006 led the way to stiffen gun laws in New York City making it a mandatory 3½-year sentence for being busted for illegal possession of a firearm within the city.

Sunday Burress' lawyer told the Associated Press that he has been advised the Giants' receiver will be charged with criminal possession of a weapon. According to the New York Post NYPD detectives traveled to Burress' home in Totowa, NJ Sunday evening to seize the handgun and transfer back to the 17th Precinct stationhouse on the East Side, where Burress is to turn himself in Monday.

NEW YORK GIANTS (10-1)	GAME #12	WASHINGTON REDSKINS (7-4)
	VS.

Thank goodness it's game day! We can stop talking about Plaxico Burress for a little while and talk about today's action.

Here is your Open Thread for today's Giants-Redskins NFC East clash. Enjoy the game!

I really didn't want to be discussing something like this on game day -- especially a game day against the Washington Redskins -- but the Plaxico Burress situation demands some attention this morning.

Personally, my emotional, gut reaction is that I could care less if Burress never puts on a New York Giants uniform again.

Forget his tremendous talent. Forget what he did for the Giants last season. Forget about what kind of players the Giants have as replacements.

Tom Coughlin and Jerry Reese built a championship team largely because they have a roster filled with players who have bought into the 'team before self' philosophy Coughlin has preached. All except for Burress, that is.

He is the one player who has continued to march to his own drummer, to do what he wants when he wants.

The Giants as a group have continued to show the hunger to win even after being crowned Super Bowl champions. That, largely, is responsible for their 10-1 record going into today. There is no complacency.

Again, except for Burress. He is the one player who seems to have the 'I got my ring and I got my money so now I can do whatever I want' attitude.

This incident makes it obvious, though, that Burress' issues run a lot deeper than just skipping practices and being late for meetings. This goes right to the heart of what kind of person Burress is.

Thank God Burress shot himself Friday night and didn't 'accidentally' put a bullet into Antonio Pierce or another innocent bystander. Burress is in enough trouble for illegally carrying a concealed -- and loaded -- weapon. Luckily for him, something far worse did not happen.

Burress has been a distraction most of the season, but the Giants have been able to play through it. Now, though, he has taken it to a whole new level. Maybe this incident will wake him up and get him back on the right path, but I'm not counting on it.

The Giants have a great thing going. They are in the midst of what could be a historic back-to-back championship run, and possibly a New England Patriots style run of several elite seasons in a row.

Right now, Plaxico Burress is the one issue that threatens to crack the foundation of the empire the Giants have built.

I could care less about Burress' talent. Keeping that foundation solid, not letting anyone or anything chip away at what the Giants have built, has to be the franchise's priority.

If that means cutting Burress loose, so be it.

Other Reaction

• Mike Lupica: Burress no longer worth the trouble
• Gary Myers: A huge test for the Giants
• Ralph Vacchiano: Pierce could also have legal problem
• New York Post: Bye-bye, Burress?
• Ian O'Connor: Cutting Burress is the right thing to do

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Guys, if the Dallas fans want to be idiots about this -- and they obviously do -- leave them alone. We know what they are, we know what they want, and I am asking you guys not to sink to their level. -- Ed]

Word-for-word from ESPN:

New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress suffered an accidental gunshot wound Friday night in a club, according to multiple sources.

Details of the incident weren't immediately available, but according to a source the wound was not considered life-threatening.

Holy cow! I have no idea how bad this is, or what the heck happened, but this is not good.

[UPDATE: According to Yahoo! Sports, Burress avoided serious injury and should be ready to play again before the season is over. “From everything I’ve heard, he was really lucky,” said a member of Burress’ family.]

Well, I know it's not Reby Sky but the Giants are playing Washington this week and our Cheerleader of the Week is a member of the Redskins cheerleading squad.

Random thoughts a day after eating way too much great food (thanks to my lovely wife) and forcing myself to watch way too much really bad football.

• Right now the Dallas Cowboys scare the hell out of me. We had some fun at the Cowboys expense when they looked to be in disarray earlier this season, but I'm not laughing right now. I know Seattle is terrible, but the Cowboys are 8-4, have won three straight and with Tony Romo healthy again Dallas looks like a completely different football team. Talent-wise the Cowboys always have been the NFC team that poses the biggest threat to the Giants. They are playing like a serious threat right now.
• I have never been a big Matt Hasselbeck fan, but I gained a bunch of respect for the Seahawks veteran quarterback Thursday. He took a tremendous beating from the Cowboys yet he kept standing in and trying to make plays despite the fact that both the game and the season were lost causes for Seattle.
• Thanks to the NFL Network I did not get to see the Philadelphia Eagles route the Arizona Cardinals. Seems to me, though, that all you have to do is look at the final score to know that the NFC West-leading Cardinals are nothing more than a playoff pretender who built a nice record beating up bad competition.
• The 0-12 Detroit Lions might not be the worst team in NFL history. They sure as hell have to be in the conversation, though. Until I actually watched them play an entire game I had no idea just how disgustingly bad they really are. Tennessee scored 47 points, and the Titans could have scored 70 or 80 if they had needed to.
• I wonder just how embarrassed Roger Goodell is today after serving up three horrendous football games for Thanksgiving.
• Just thought I would mention that the Giants face the Washington Redskins Sunday. It's Friday, and I can't remember if the Redskins have even been mentioned once this week here at Big Blue View. It's my site, it's quite possibly my fault, and I find it amazing. Friday, and it's the first time we have even mentioned having a game with a division rival. Wow!

NOTE: If you are buying Giants-related items this holiday season -- or gear for any pro or college team -- check out the Big Blue View store. Click the link provided, or the 'Get Your Giants Gear' graphic in the left nav bar. There is lots of great stuff available. And, yes, I do earn a small percentage from anything you purchase.

Today is Thanksgiving, and I thought it was a great opportunity to take stock of all the things we as New York Giants' fans have to be thankful for.

We don't have cheerleaders, but do we really need 'em? We've got NY Giants Girl Reby Sky.

• We are, of course, the defending Super Bowl champions. All this time and I still love being able to write that.
• At 10-1, our Giants are the best team in football and have a legitimate chance to win back-to-back Super Bowls for the first time in team history.
• Reby Sky. The 'NY Giants Girl' certainly helps ease the disappointment many Giants' fans feel at not having cheerleaders of our own.
• Jerry Reese. The Giants' general manager seems to have the golden touch when it comes to both the draft and free agency. The Giants are in good hands as long as Reese is in charge of personnel.
• Ernie Accorsi. He's been retired for a couple of seasons now, but Accorsi did bring us Eli Manning in that controversial 2004 draft-day trade. Oh, and he also brought us Mathias Kiwanuka, a draft pick many thought was strange at the time.
• Speaking of Eli, we have to be thankful for him, too. Who knows, and who cares, where he ranks among current quarterbacks? Or, where he will end up historically. The Giants can win Super Bowls with Eli at the helm, and last season's title might not be the last with him at the helm.
• Tom Coughlin. Many of us wanted him run out of town not that long ago. A Super Bowl title this season, though, and we might be calling him the best coach in franchise history.
• Brett Favre and the New York Jets. The Giants still love feeling slighted, and the more attention the Jets get the better for the Giants.
• The vast resources of 'Earth, Wind & Fire.' It is an arsenal that gives the Giants an advantage every time they step on the field.
• Plaxico Burress. Without Burress' foibles this season we would have very little left to argue about. As Wednesday's debate showed, Plax has at least given us that much this season. Shoot, this is a blog after all.
• Steve Spagnuolo. We better give thanks for the incredible defensive coordinator now before he's gone.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Stay safe.

Plaxico Burress

I am beginning to wonder just how important Plaxico Burress is to this New York Giants football team.

Burress has struggled this season with disciplinary issues, double coverage and now a hamstring injury. Through it all I have continued to believe the Giants needed No. 17 happy, healthy and productive to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

Now, though, there is mounting evidence that the Giants are just fine without him. Thank you very much, Jerry Reese.

Let's break it down.

• The Giants are 10-1, and Burress has not made a truly significant contribution since Week 2. He had 15 of his 35 catches this season after two games.
• In the two games Burress has missed (counting Sunday's one series against Arizona as a missed game) the Giants have scored 44 and 37 points. I know the 44 was against Seattle, but it's still 44 points.
• The emergence of Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith and -- lately -- tight end Kevin Boss means the Giants have loads of weapons even without Burress on the field.
• Two of Eli Manning's best statistical games this season have come without Burress. You can make an argument he is better without Burress because he spreads the ball around more instead of forcing throws and hoping Plax makes a play.

Now, I know darn well that without the gutty, incredible contribution made last season -- playing most of it on one leg -- that the Giants would not be Super Bowl champions.

I know he could be the most talented wide receiver ever to wear a New York Giants' uniform.

I know the Giants paid him a ton of money because they know what kind of weapon he can be.

I know they would rather see him on the field than on the sidelines in a goofy-looking baseball cap.

I know I hope he gets healthy, gets his head screwed on right and makes some huge plays that help the Giants win another Super Bowl.

I am just not sure any more that the Giants absolutely have to have Burress to win another championship.

Your thoughts?

Burress' 2008 stats