Fresh Out the Joint

Being the most criminally active member of TAG Radio I would like to share some thoughts on the recent release of Plaxico Burress.

Drafted 8th overall in 2000 out of Michigan State by the renowned Pittsburgh Steelers, Plax quickly assimilated to the league. In just his sophomore year he had amassed a thousand-yard season and became the Steelers’ most feared deep threat. However maturity issues plagued the young star.

When running routes across the middle/deep middle of the field Plax would frequently catch the ball and duck to the ground to avoid being hit. After getting up off the ground, Plax would boastfully flip the ball into the air as a gesture of ‘swag.’ Unfortunately this bad habit he picked up in his college days would not translate so easily into the NFL.

Often times Plax would catch the ball across the middle, duck to the ground, get up, and flip the ball before he was ever tagged down. Sometimes this would go unnoticed by the referee. But in a couple instances this bad habit cost his team a turnover. Plax honed his skills and eventually knocked the bad habit but maturity issues still lingered.

Signing with the NY Giants in 2005, Plax put up his best numbers since his early years with the Steelers and quickly became Eli Manning’s favorite target. He was a key part of the passing attack that went on to win a Super Bowl against an undefeated Belichick led Patriots. All seemed to be working out for the talented Plaxico.

…until he shot himself in the foot in a NY night club and was sentenced to 2 years in prison.

All joking aside, this took a major toll on the Giants organization as well as Plaxico’s life.

Much speculation surrounding the potential landing spots for an eager, recently released Burress have surfaced. Would he return to Pittsburgh to improve its air-game? Could he wind up in NY again, but playing for the big talk Jets? Some see him in Philly uniting with former convict Mike Vick and his young receiving core creating a sort of Con-air attack with the jail bird Eagles. All options seem plausible if Goodell gets his act together and free agency can begin.

Given the recent comeback of Michael Vick it seems reasonable that if Plaxico has matured, as Vick did, he could make a similar impact for any team.

“Prison ain’t change me, it made me worse” –Tupac Shakur

Tupac went on to sell more records and put out more music than he ever had in the years following his prison sentence. Vick has had a monumental season and has evolved his game to a new level. Why can’t Plax do the same fresh out the joint?

It will be exciting to see where the talented Burress lands. Many teams could use a deep threat with the height and skills Plax possesses. My advice for many receiver-needy organizations would be from the late and great Steelers Radio announcer Myron Cope:

“If you don’t know…PLAXICO!”

Where do you think he would fit best?

-Rome
TAG Radio Intern
"The Green Ranger"