Burress shows up, shows some maturity

by Ed Valentine on May 9, 2007 7:03 AM EDT in New York Giants News

Quarterback Eli Manning begin throwing to receivers Monday, and the Giants have to be thrilled that one of the targets catching his tosses was wide receiver Plaxico Burress.

Burress has historically skipped these 'optional' workouts, preferring to stay in Florida and work out at the University of Miami.

The Giants, however, have to have grown tired of miscommunications between Manning and his primary targets, Burress and Jeremy Shockey.

Burress, at least, seems to have found the maturity to realize those things aren't going to improve until he puts in the time working with Manning.

Here is part of Ernie Palladino's report on Burress' presence, taken from his Giants Journal.

"I'm not trying to make a statement," Burress said. "I want us to be better, and I want him to reach his full potential, which I think would be great. I want to help him out. We're here, we're willing to work."

He might have a selfish reason, too. Despite 10 receiving touchdowns last year, he was denied a Pro Bowl spot. Since working out in Miami didn't get him one, perhaps switching things around and working with his quarterback would.

"You just get to a point where you want to maximize your talent," Burress said. "You want to cross all the Ts and dot the I's and get to where you want to be as a player and help the team get to where they want to go.

"I feel like I can get to an elite level. I've got to take responsibility and be accountable and work hard and get the job done."

Now, if Burress could just get Shockey to show the same kind of commitment to Manning that would really be something to be happy about.

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Plax

Here's hoping that his attitude change will bring big dividends. He's on the fringe of being a Pro Bowler, but his perceived laziness, bad habits, etc. is indeed realized by the rest of the league. Tiki's gone, Plax is coming around. If someone can kick Shockey in the a** we just might have a cohesive unit. I actually like Plaxico, and I'd call him the most talented WR to play for the Giants in the last 25 years.

www.billkohut.com

by bk0831 on May 9, 2007 2:39 PM EDT reply actions