--In the last 40 years, the Giants have made 36 first-round "decisions." Three times they traded away their pick and once (1993) they had exercised that first-round selection the previous summer in the supplemental draft, when they took Duke QB Dave Brown. Arguably their best first-round pick was in 1981 when they took LB Lawrence Taylor as the second overall choice.
--There might not be truth to the report that the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders are interested in signing Plaxico Burress, but it would come as no surprise to veteran NFL observers. On the other hand, there have been a few rumors that Philadelphia and Miami were both interested, too.
---WR Plaxico Burress is said to have turned down three separate plea bargains acquired by his attorney, Benjamin Brafman, because they each involved some jail time. Reports also said that Brafman is frustrated and considering "firing" his client.
---Chris Simms, son of Giants' QB great Phil Simms, is finally in position to earn a legitimate starting job. He is the backup in Denver, or he was when Jay Cutler was still with the Broncos, but now that Cutler is gone, Simms need only compete with former Chicago starter Kyle Orton. "Sometimes you're in the right position at the right time," Simms said.
---Former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi is this year's recipient of the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum's George Young Award. The award, named in honor of Accorsi's late predecessor, will be presented on Apr. 26 at the Hall's induction ceremony in Commack, N.Y.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The Giants didn't lose their playoff game [to Philadelphia] because Plaxico Burress wasn't there. There were plenty of times when receivers were wide open deep downfield. Eli Manning just couldn't get the ball to them in the stiff wind." -- Former Giants' Pro Bowl OLB Carl Banks on Sirius radio.
