After spending the last 21 months in prison on a gun charge, Plaxico Burress was released from prison yesterday. Immediately, thoughts were bandied about as to which team he would end up with, and which teams would show interest in the 34 year old former New York Giant.
Teams mentioned as possible landing spots for Burress are the Washington Redskins, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Chicago Bears. The Eagles could make sense, if Burress is willing to serve as the third receiver. As it stands, the Eagles receiving corps are solid, with Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson holding down the top two spots. The Redskins and the Bears would make more sense, as both teams are in desperate need of legitimate talent at the receiver position. Burress's size and history would lead one to think that he would be an immediate upgrade over what both the Bears and Redskins have on their roster at this point.
However, reality must enter the equation. What, if anything, does Burress have left in the tank? He is 34, which is old for a receiver in the first place. Coupled with the fact that he missed the past two seasons while incarcerated, as well as part of a third season when injured by a self-inflicted accidental gunshot wound to the leg, there have to be concerns as to whether or not Burress can actually help a team.
This is not a situation such as Michael Vick had when he left prison. Vick was still about to enter the prime of his career, and, as a quarterback, could afford to have a year to get back into the flow of the game. Burress will not be afforded that luxury. He will need to perform from the moment he steps on the field. And there is no way that is going to happen.
There are a number of factors working against him. First, working out in prison is not even close to being the same as working out at the team's facility with trainers and staff. While Burress may still be in shape, he may not be in FOOTBALL shape. There is a distinct difference. Second, while in prison, he could not run routes or catch a football from a quarterback. Sure, he could have had someone throw him a couple passes, but having some kid named Miguel who's in prison for stealing a car throwing you a football is not the same as having Eli Manning throw you a football. Third, he is 34. If this happened five years ago, then the chances of Burress having a successful comeback would be better. People slow down as they get older, and who knows how much Burress has slowed over the past two plus seasons? Fourth, chances are that whatever team he lands with will need him to be productive immediately, and he has simply just missed too much time.
People love a story about redemption and atonement, especially when it involves an athlete who paid for his mistakes being able to return to glory. Unfortunately, it is not going to happen here. This is not Hollywood - there will not be any storybook endings for Plaxico.
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