Burress posts bond

Plaxico Burress posted $100,000 bail on weapons possession charges Monday as the frenzy grew around the Giants star receiver, who accidentally shot himself in a nightclub.

Authorities said teammate Antonio Pierce was being investigated over his role in the weekend shooting, while the Super Bowl-champion Giants weren’t sure what action they would take, if any, against Burress. The NFL said it was monitoring developments. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said it would be an outrage “if we didn’t prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”

Burress shot himself in the right thigh in the VIP section of the Latin Quarter nightclub in Manhattan about 1 a.m. Saturday, police said. He did not have a permit to carry a handgun in New York.

According to a criminal complaint, a witness saw a bloody pistol fall out of Burress’ pant leg and land on the floor before Burress said, “Take me to a hospital.”
Burress was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, which could result in a prison sentence of 3½ years to 15 years if he is convicted. He was not required to enter a plea Monday and is due back in court on March 31.
“He is standing tall. He is a mature adult,” said lawyer Benjamin Brafman. “I think any professional athlete in this situation would be concerned.”

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said in a conference call that the Giants were discussing their response. They suspended Burress for a game and fined him earlier this season for missing a team meeting in September. Burress has been fined dozens of times by the Giants for violating team rules since joining them in 2005. Coughlin said he was “not prepared to say anything” about what steps the Giants would take.

Linebacker Danny Clark said players were hoping for the best for Burress. “Regardless, he is still our teammate, we love him, and our support is with him,” Clark said. “But at the end of the day we are focused on winning our next football game and that is against Philadelphia.”

Kiffin’s plans unclear
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin have done nothing to end speculation that Kiffin has decided to leave the NFL to work for his son, Lane, the new coach at the University of Tennessee.

Bucs General Manager Bruce Allen said Monday he knows how the situation will play out, but would not disclose whether Kiffin is staying or will give up a $2 million salary that makes him one of the highest-paid defensive assistants in the league. Coach Jon Gruden said Kiffin will be with the Bucs at least through the end of the season.

Etc.
• The New England Patriots will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next season at Wembley Stadium in London, the third consecutive year the NFL will stage a regular-season game in the British capital. The Bucs will be the home team for the Oct. 25 game.

• Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware (knee) and running back Marion Barber (toe), who were hurt Thanksgiving Day, were not at practice, and coach Wade Phillips said both were “day to day.”

• Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the team was going to cut inconsistent punter Derrick Frost.

• Detroit signed wide receiver Keary Colbert, giving him a chance to play for his third team this season.

• Bears nose tackle Dusty Dvoracek is out after rupturing his right biceps during Sunday night’s loss to the Vikings.