Michael Strahan Would Sign Plaxico Burress 'In A Heartbeat'

I really am 50/50 on whether to want Burress back or not. The emotional side wants him back, bringing back memories of 07, but in reality he is likely nowhere near as good as he was in his prime. Also not to be forgotten, WR is one of the Giants most deep positions, and I personally can’t wait to see what Ramses can do this year with a spot higher up on the chart, which is further reason I might not want them wasting a year of Ramses’ development with an aged veteran. But after all is said and done, I expect Reese to bring him in for a workout, and if Plax wows them, AND ELI WANTS HIM, it would be irresponsible not to make the team better, and I expect Jerry to make the right decision in the end.

Plax knows the system and I bet he still has some gas in the tank. I feel he would come back humble and eager to reclaim his name in the nfl

but also as a talent evaluator (for what thats worth), so that I can see what our needs are now and in the future. Looking at it as I do, I don’t see the positives in signing a Plaxico Burress. Based off of the player alone, he is 34, coming off of a two year lay off. Some may say that he is fresh but I disagree. He hasn’t gotten any better while getting a little older and the players he would be facing have gotten bigger, stronger and faster and have been at their craft on a daily basis. Based off of our personnel at WR, I only see his signing as a hinderance to our young guys. Hakeem is our #1 guy, Steve Smith when healthy is our #2/slot guy. Super Mario is a #2 type on most teams (#1 on some) and my #4 guy that I have projected to win that spot is Ramses Barden. Plaxico as a veteran would cut into all of these players further development especially Ramses. This doesn’t even mention Dominic Hixon, Devin Thomas who I hope we keep and the not forgotten Victor Cruz. We already have a log jam at this position and its all youth as well, there is no need for a Plaxico Burress.

We’ve spent so long debating this, and there are plenty of points to be made on both sides of the argument. Really though, I’m not sure the Giants would even have a chance to sign him if they wanted to.

Its an interesting subject, but I can’t see the Giants winning the bidding war that seems likely to happen. Even though the numbers involved will be low relative to “normal” contracts, they’ll probably be high enough to keep the Giants on the sidelines.

I think there are a few reasons to try and bring Plax back

1. He brings experience to the wide receiver position on a team when the veteran receiver is only in his 5th season

2. He already has a rapport with Manning and knows the playbook

3. At the very least he can impart a great deal of knowledge on the younger wide receivers

4. Coming out of prison we could offer him a relatively moderate “show me you can still play” contract with another year option, similar to Vick

5. We haven’t made the playoffs in 2 years, we have nothing to lose. Its not like we’d be throwing the team out of rhythm.

6. A lot of players want him back, the game is highly psychological, while you cannot simply let your players run the team, having him back might be an emotional boost.

I would take him back under the following conditions:
1. he wants to play here again,
2. he recognizes his mistake and has matured
3. he is willing to take a 1 year “I wanna show I can still get it done deal”, not like very low, but something that has minimum cap impact

Before Burress shot himself, he wasn’t having a very good season: In 10 games played (nine games started) Burress had 35 receptions for 454 yards and four touchdowns. Now I loved Burress as a player and what he did on the field (He was an exceptional blocker as a receiver and greatly helped the running game), but he was also constantly late to team meetings and was disciplined by the team several times. Didn’t he also sue the Giants when they refused to give him his $1 million roster bonus at the end of the season?

The Giants are stacked at receiver, although they could have used Burress with the rash of injuries they had last year. If all of the receivers are healthy, Burress will be behind Nicks, Smith, and Manningham; so, at best, he would be the fourth receiver. And I would like to see the Giants give Victor Cruz a chance to be that fourth receiver next year.

now Steve Smith is a better teacher to the young receivers—and they have already said so.

Three of our receivers (Smith, Hixon, and Barden) are all uncertain healthwise, why not take the risk on Plax? At the very least he could help bring along Ramses and teach our young core a few things (hopefully all positive). We brought in Andrews despite concerns over his ability to come back to football because there was the possibility our line would fall apart. We drafted a completely unpredictable talent at DE because the giants are a rushing team and we didn’t have the depth and wow, Kiwi was out and an impressive rotation was born.

It is better to prepare for the worst case scenario than to completely ignore it.

I know we get first dibs, but is he basically a free agent if we don’t pick him up?

I think Plax is one of the best fits for Eli. Eli loves to throw high, and a lanky tall guy with a ridiculous vertical is exactly what you need to compensate. That said, I feel like we’ve got a great team to build on. WRs are deep. Spend the cash somewhere else.

I am calling my shot now. The Giants will sign Plax shortly after his release in June. I say this mainly because there is another player I would wager really wants him back. His name is ELI and he loves him some security blanket.