"I am an optimist, and I believe most situations can be worked out," general manager Jerry Reese said in a statement released by the team. "We hung in there as long as we could in hopes that there could be a resolution to this situation other than the decision we made today to release Plaxico. It wasn't to be, so now we have to move on. Like everybody else here, we want nothing but the best for Plaxico, and we are appreciative of the contributions he made to this franchise."

With Burress released and Amani Toomer not offered a contract this offseason, the Giants are expected to target receiving help in the draft April 25-26.

Burress signed a five-year, $35 million contract last September, and agent Drew Rosenhaus has filed a grievance with the team after the Giants failed to pay Burress a $1 million roster bonus.

Burress was in court March 31, with his attorney requesting an adjournment in the case stemming from the incident last Nov. 29 in which Burress accidentally shot himself in a Manhattan nightclub.

The original charges on two gun felonies could result in 3 1/2 to five years in prison, but for a first offender it is almost automatic that the jail sentence be markedly reduced. And it will, but not down to zero, not if the District Attorney and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg have their way.

The mayor has already spoken out in clear and strident terms insisting that this not become a case of "celebrity justice" and that Burress be made to pay for his indiscretions.

Burress caught 344 passes for 3,681 yards and 33 touchdowns in four seasons with the Giants.

"Plaxico's contribution to our championship season in 2007 can never be underestimated or undervalued," said coach Tom Coughlin. "He displayed tremendous determination throughout that season. Having said that, I have always been as concerned about Plaxico as a man as I have been about him as a player, and my hope is that everything that has happened over the past several months represents a turning point. He is a young man with a family who has a whole lifetime ahead of him, and I personally wish him and his family well."