Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. ó With their patience running out, the New York Giants handed down their own verdict on Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress on Friday ó receiver dismissed.
In a stunning move, the Giants released Burress a little more than four months after the 31-year-old accidentally shot himself in the thigh with an unlicensed gun in a New York City nightclub.
Burress’ four-year tenure with the Giants was highlighted by a game-winning touchdown catch in the Super Bowl against the previously undefeated New England Patriots in February 2008, but it was also dogged by fines and suspensions.
Burress’ status has been uncertain since he shot himself in the thigh on Nov. 29 with a gun he’d stuffed into his waistband. He faces a felony weapons charge that could put him in prison for at least 31/2 years if convicted.
VICK
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. ó A judge rejected Michael Vick’s plan to emerge from bankruptcy on Friday, telling the suspended NFL star to rethink how he’ll pay back his creditors.
The ex-Atlanta Falcons quarterback, who is serving a 23-month prison sentence for bankrolling a dogfighting operation, had outlined a plan during a hearing Friday based on the goal of returning to NFL football. Vick said he’s optimistic about being reinstated after he is released from prison and that he believes he can play pro football for another 10 years.
DOLPHINS
DAVIE, Fla. ó When Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland met Friday with reporters to discuss the NFL draft, the first player he talked about was a 34-year-old defensive end who played at Akron: Jason Taylor.
Ireland said the Dolphins are looking at whether to pursue Taylor, who was cut by the Washington Redskins on March 2 after one disappointing season for refusing to commit to the offseason workout program.
GOLF
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. ó The powerful desert wind that tore through the Coachella Valley on Friday blew a new set of players to the top of the leaderboard of the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Kristy McPherson and Christina Kim teed off well before the wind started gusting and jumped into the lead at 6-under 138 at the halfway point of the LPGA Tour’s first major of the season.
– HUMBLE, Texas ó England’s Paul Casey shot a 2-under 70 for a share of the lead with Australians Geoff Ogilvy and John Senden at 8 under during the suspended second round of the Shell Houston Open.
TENNIS
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. ó Roger Federer lost his temper and the match.Battling a long slump, Federer angrily broke his racket Friday en route to a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 loss to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals at the Sony Ericsson Open.
– Top-ranked Serena Williams will bid for a record sixth Key Biscayne women’s title today against No. 11 Victoria Azarenka.
NHL
SAN ANTONIO ó Jared Staal is a step away from becoming the fourth Staal brother in the NHL.
The 18-year-old signed an amateur tryout contract with San Antonio of the American Hockey League on Friday.
The Rampage are the AHL affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes, who drafted the youngest Staal in the second round of last year’s draft. His three brothers are all playing in the NHL: Eric (Carolina), Marc (N.Y. Rangers) and Jordan (Pittsburgh).