The Facts: Negotiations in the gun-possession case against Burress -- who accidentally shot himself in the leg at a Midtown nightclub last November -- fell apart earlier this year after prosecutors insisted he do two years' state time on a plea to a lesser gun charge, Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau told The Post. Burress was willing to bite the bullet and do jail time, but he wouldn't agree to more than a year, the DA said. "We've always taken the position that he's going to have to go to jail, whether by trial or by plea," the DA added.

Diehards Line:Morgenthau said his office would announce a grand jury vote on Burress within four weeks. If he's convicted, Burress will face a mandatory sentence of 3.5 years. The Post has also learned Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce is still on the hook for allegedly possessing his then-teammate's gun after the shooting -- and could face a jail term of his own. ... Stay tuned. Even with commissioner Roger Goodell expected to meet with Burress early next month, this situation could drag out well into the season.