Pierce recalled
Pierce recalled the only other time Burress was disciplined by having playing time reduced. It was Burress' third game with the Giants in 2005, and Tom Coughlin benched him for the first quarter against the Chargers because of a series of late arrivals to team meetings.
"Coach suspended him for the first quarter, and he made all those catches," said Pierce, referring to Burress' five-reception, 52-yard, one-TD effort.
But this punishment is different. Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese have drawn a far bigger line in the sand, all in hopes of making Burress realize there is a price to be paid for unexcused absences and tardiness. Money wasn't the issue, because Burress has been fined dozens of times. Taking away playing time is the real punishment here, and Coughlin hopes it will finally change Burress' behavior.
He will get an idea Monday, when he will sit down with Burress for the first time since handing down the suspension.
"I look forward to talking to him," Coughlin said. "As far as me being concerned, I know he wants to play, and he wants to do whatever he has to do to play. We all look forward to Plax being back next Monday. I think it's a learning experience, but let's move on. We welcome him back."