T-Rock's Take on the Giants

My buddy and neighbor Joe just passed by and stopped for a front lawn chat. He wanted to know what's going on with Plaxico. I told him it looks like he'll be fined about $177 grand and he'll be suspended for the Seahawks game.

"Wow, they really brought the hammer down on him," Joe said.

I tried to put that in perspective and told him that the fine is "only" a one week salary for the player. Joe couldn't believe it. I think he still lives in a world where Willie Mays comes out to play stickball with the kids from the neighborhood and Whitey Ford hops on the subway to and from the ballpark.

Anyway, the point is that the one thing that has been pretty non-negotiable in this situation is the suspension for the game. The Giants want to make a point that if you miss practice or meetings, you don't play. It's the same rule I was under when I was a kid playing in Levittown West Little League. It's nice to know that those same rules still apply to the bigger stage of the NFL.

Even if, as Joe pointed out, that $177 thousand could pay off his mortgage and then some.

UPDATE: By the way, poster Adam made the point that it would be a nice gesture if instead of fighting the fine, Plaxico fought the suspension, gave up the two weeks' salary, and played in the Seattle game for free. Nice thought, Adam. You and Joe can go wait on the street to shag flies with Willie Mays!