Back from suspension, Burress has no apologies

Burress said he and his wife talked to the team on the night of Sept. 22, and he spoke with general manager Jerry Reese the next day. He was suspended the following day after a meeting with Reese and coach Tom Coughlin.

Burress said he did not argue with either Reese or Coughlin after being suspended, and that he respected their decision being for the good of the team.

"What was I supposed to do, cry?" said Burress, who admitted he let down his teammates by not being on the field Sunday. "They told me I was suspended. I didn't argue with them. I took it, walked out and left."

Burress said he watched the first half of Sunday's game and felt the team was clicking, noting that halfback Brandon Jacobs ran the ball well and Eli Manning was efficient.

"We all celebrate each other's success and that's what separates us from a lot of the teams around the league," Burress said. "We don't care who goes out and catches the ball or scores or things like that. We want to see everyone do good. Because of me not being able to play a lot of guys got in and got action, which will make us a better team down the road."

Burress said several teammates spoke with him during the suspension.

"I'm really, really not concerned about the way my teammates look at me as far as basing decisions on my family," he said. "My family is my first priority. It doesn't matter how people look at me. Football is the best temporary job I'm ever going to have in my life. My family is going to be here forever. I told them that. I'll tell you guys that. I feel I made the right decision. I'm still living. I'm still walking around. I'm fine."

Burress admitted he does not know how many times he has been fined since joining the Giants in 2005, but it is a lot.

"Some of the demands they ask me to do, I just don't meet," said Burress, who led the Giants with 18 catches after three games. "Maybe I have a problem with time or something, I don't know. I haven't been able to quite put my finger on it. Does it really bother or affect me? No. When it's times to step on the field and play, that's what I do."

Burress, who was barred from Giants Stadium during his suspension, returned early Monday morning, and did some lifting and running. He also talked to Coughlin, who said Burress remains a starter.

"As far as being on the same page, we hit and miss sometimes," Burress said of Coughlin. "We had a conversation today and I listened to what he had to say and we'll move on from there."