Plaxico Burress is set to be released from jail on June 6th, and his future in the NFL is up in the air (well, so is the 2011 season). Will he be able to make a remarkable comeback a la Michael Vick, or will he simply fade into a veteran journey man and retire?
Although, both Burress and Vick spent the good part of two years in jail, they are in very different situations. Vick served his sentence during his late 20s, while Burress is serving his sentence in his early 30s. Not only is Burress older, but he shot himself in the leg prior to prison, while Vick went into jail healthy.
Michael Vick’s incredible comeback was unexpected and at 33 it would be even more remarkable for Burress. You have to assume he’s lost a step and that he’s going to be rusty. On the other side, I would argue that WR is easier to pick up than QB.
Burress is dead set on playing in the NFL, but will any team take a chance on him? Brandon Jacobs said there was ‘no chance’ that Burress would play with the Giants next season. Jacobs alludes that Philadelphia would be a likely destination because of the similarities to Vick. Justin Tuck, on the other hand, is lobbying to have him back in a Giants uniform citing the Giants’ record with and without him.
I tend to agree with Jacobs, I can’t see him playing with the Giants again and the Eagles would be a good fit. Burress is a big physical receiver that would complement the speedsters of Jackson and Maclin.
On the bright side, there isn’t likely to be much public criticism of Burress returning to the NFL. There will probably be more jokes about him shooting himself (because he kept his gun tucked in his sweatpants at a night club? Are you kidding?) than outrage over his inevitable NFL contract.
What do you think? Can you see Burress in the NFL again?
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