Report: Giants don't pay Burress' bonus
NEW YORK, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The NFL Players Association says the New York Giants have not paid wide receiver Plaxico Burress a $1 million installment on his signing bonus.
The players union told New York Newsday the payment was due Wednesday and was part of the $4.25 million signing bonus on his new contract in September.
"We will file a claim in the appropriate forum to enforce his right to receive and keep the moneys entitled to him under his player contract," union spokesman Carl Francis said in an e-mail statement to the newspaper.
The former Michigan State standout was suspended for the final four games this season and placed on the season-ending non-football injury list after accidentally shooting himself in the leg on Nov. 29 at a New York nightclub.
On Tuesday, the NFLPA filed a grievance over the suspension and fine.
Burress faces two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and a possible 15-year prison term if convicted.
Fred Taylor ends season with thumb injury
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor will miss the team's last four games this season because he needs surgery on his left thumb.
Taylor suffered the injury during last Sunday's 23-10 loss in Chicago.
He finishes his 11th NFL season with 556 yards rushing on 143 carries with one touchdown.
"Trying to finish the year by playing wouldn't be smart at all," Taylor, 32, said Thursday at news conference. "I really think I can extend my career by doing the smart thing."
With 11,271 yards, the former University of Florida All-American is 16th on the NFL's all-time rushing list.
The emergence of Maurice Jones-Drew had led to Taylor's reduced role in the last two seasons.
In 2008, Jones-Drew has scored 11 times on 142 carries for 607 yards.
In the 2001 season, he played in only two games before sustaining a season-ending groin injury.
Jacksonville signed fourth-year free agent Alvin Pearman to fill Taylor's roster spot.
Knicks guard Mobley retires with bad heart
NEW YORK, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- New York Knicks guard Cuttino Mobley ended his 11-year NBA career Thursday because of a worsening heart condition.
The former second-round pick by the Houston Rockets out of Rhode Island in the 1998 NBA draft was acquired by the Knicks on Nov. 21 from the LA Clippers with forward Tim Thomas.
The New York Times reported Wednesday that Mobley, 33, underwent tests for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is a significant cause of cardiac death in young athletes.
He never suited up for the Knicks because the team was aware of his condition.
"Personally, I think it is the best decision if he has to retire," Thomas told the New York Daily News Wednesday. ""Basketball has been great to him (but) at this point, he has a son and a family and the most important thing is his health."
Mobley averaged 16 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 747 NBA games with Houston, the Knicks, Orlando and Sacramento.
Davenport to play at Australian Open
MELBOURNE, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Longtime women's tennis star Lindsay Davenport will compete in the Australian Open, the first grand slam tournament of the 2009 season.
The event at Melbourne, where Davenport's career singles record is 56-13, runs from Jan. 19 through Feb. 1.
The 6-foot-2 inch native of Palos Verdes, Calif., is the all-time women's earnings leader with more than $22 million, and her decision ended speculation that she would retire.
She has not played since she since her third-place finish last August at the U.S. Open.
Davenport won the Australian Open in 2000, one of her three Grand Slam titles among 55 career victories.
"We are really excited that she has entered," said tournament director Craig Tiley. "She is a world class player and a great ambassador for our sport."
The former world number one on the women's tour has won four titles since returning in September 2007.
She took time off to start a family and gave birth in June 2007 to son, Jagger.
