Plaxico Burress should be thankful the Giants suspended him only one game. If New York wanted, it could pursue $6.5 million worth of bonus money in Burress’ contract, as well as escalators that would boost the wide receiver’s contract another $5 million, costing him another $11.5 million.

Burress’ contract includes specific language that if he is suspended at all, which he now has been, the Giants no longer are obligated to pay him the millions worth of roster bonuses in his contract. The Giants have shown no inclination to pursue that money, but it should serve as a warning.

If Burress slips up again, he would be jeopardizing the bonus money in his contract, something the Giants clearly had in mind when they drew up the contract the way they did.

For now, Burress will lose only $117,647 rather than the $235,294 he was scheduled to when the Giants suspended him for two weeks. But the NFL and NFL Players’ Association have agreed on a compromise that would reduce Burress’ suspension in length, but still force him to miss next Sunday’s game versus Seattle.

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