Plaxico Burress is a wide receiver from Michigan State University who played in the NFL for nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2000-2004) and New York Giants (2005-2008) before serving 20 months of a two-year sentence for a gun-possession charge. He was released today because of good behavior. Now the Super Bowl Champion who caught the winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl XLII is unemployed.
Where will Plaxico get a job?
New York Giants – This is the last team that Plaxico played for. I don’t see this happening because I believe that John Mara (Giants Co-owner) is still upset that “a player could carry a loaded gun into a nightclub, shoot himself and miss the rest of the season but get to keep his entire signing bonus.”
Chicago Bears – Mike Martz’s offense would improve greatly if Jay Cutler had an aggressive quarterback like Plaxico.
St. Louis Rams – The Rams could use a veteran wide receiver to help their young quarterback, Sam Bradford.
New England Patriots – The Patriots have not replaced Randy Moss, so Tom Brady does not have a deep threat wide receiver. They survived the season and made it to the playoffs without one, but lost to the New York Jets 28-21 in the divisional round of the playoffs. A guy like Plaxico could have made the difference. His catch in Super Bowl XLII ended the Patriots’ perfect season.
Philadelphia Eagles - Coach Any Reid gambled on Michael Vick and it was successful. Plaxico is talented, but is not an exceptional player like Vick, so the risk may not be worth it to Reid. However, he also grew up in the Tidewater region of Virginia like Vick. Maybe this is Reid’s good luck region.
Plaxico is 33 and will be 34 by the time a season starts. Even if he did a great job staying in shape, he has not played football since the end of 2008. It will take him some time to get back to competing at a high level. This doesn’t mean that teams should shy away from him. I’m sure that he can still play and he can be acquired for a good deal because he has a lot to prove.
Ciao!
Heels & Helmets®
Actually I think Plax will play again. I have a few concerns though....., one being his age and his slow and quick muscle twitch,Hence, will his body be able to be explosive and or able to sustain oxygen for long periods of time. There is no doubt that he will be in shape but he hasn't touched the field in two years. I think his focus and commitment will be there but the team getting him will have to be patient and allow him a year to get acclimated before he can contribute at the level we all expect.
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