Gimpy Burress key to Giants victory

Bob Glauber
January 10, 2008

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The big-play receiver with the bum ankle could be the deciding factor in Sunday's Cowboys-Giants game.

And we're not talking about Terrell Owens, whose high ankle sprain kept him out of another practice yesterday and makes him iffy for the divisional playoff game in Dallas. It's the Giants' gimpy receiver who might turn out to be the difference.

If the Giants are to pull off the upset, then Plaxico Burress will have to be a major part of the equation.

Sure, Eli Manning needs a big game. So do running backs Brandon Jacobs and rookie Ahmad Bradshaw. And the defense has to buckle down after giving up a total of 76 points to the Cowboys in two losses this season.

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But if Burress isn't a focal part of the offense, the Giants' chances against the favored Cowboys will be greatly diminished. Maybe doomed.

Burress has been alternately brilliant and ineffective this season because of an ankle injury that has kept him out of practice all but a handful of times. Playing with an injury that would keep most guys on the sidelines - if not injured reserve - Burress will figure greatly in whether the Giants move past Dallas and into the NFC Championship Game. Or whether their inspired run in recent weeks comes to an end.

Burress had by far his best game of the season - and one of the best of his career - in the teams' first meeting in Week 1. He had eight catches for 144 yards and three touchdowns in the Giants' 45-35 loss. The Giants' defensive collapse that night was the central theme of the defeat. But even with the Giants' defensive improvement, there's a pretty decent chance the Dallas offense is going to be productive on Sunday, especially if Owens is in the lineup. So if the Giants get into a track meet, they're going to need their top receiving threat to play big.

The Cowboys did a terrific job limiting Burress' effectiveness in the rematch on Nov. 11 at Giants Stadium, when Burress was limited to four catches for 24 yards in the Cowboys' 31-20 win. And that was after a bye week, when Burress had a chance to rest his ankle.

"It's been difficult at times because you don't know how it's going to feel on a day-to-day basis," Burress said. "I just try to keep a positive mind frame about it, just try to heal it up and get it better and not use it as an excuse."

It's a testament to Burress' toughness that he wound up with 1,025 receiving yards on 70 catches, including a career-high 12 touchdowns. But if he can't get untracked against the Cowboys defense, whose only vulnerability might be giving up big pass plays, then the Giants' chances are reduced that much more.

Burress hinted yesterday that there might be a way to get him the ball more.

"Hopefully I can move around a little more, play some different positions so I can get free. [The Cowboys] are always saying they're not going to let me have any big plays or go deep or anything like that. So there are always things that we can do differently to counter that."

The Giants offense is about as balanced as it's been all year, at just the right time. The running game can be alternately smashmouth with Jacobs and slashing with Bradshaw. Tight end Kevin Boss has done yeoman's work in place of the injured Jeremy Shockey. And Manning is coming off two of the best games of his career. But the difference maker could be Burress, especially if he can break a play or two and loosen up the Cowboys' defense.

Fellow receiver Amani Toomer would love to see it happen for Burress.

"Not being able to practice and performing at a high level all year is very impressive," Toomer said. "I think he's been a good attitude guy for our team, and he's been a leader in his way. You can't ask for more. He's made some amazing plays this year."

He'll need a few more on Sunday.

Oh, and as for that guy on the other team with the bad ankle? Burress was asked yesterday if he could offer T.O. any advice. His answer:

"Don't play."

Plax stats

Plaxico Burress' career numbers in seven games against the Cowboys:

32 Receptions

455 Yards

14.2 Average

60 Longest gain (yards)

6 Touchdowns

*Includes one game as a Steeler in 2004

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