Burress hasn't played in the league since accidentally shooting himself in the leg while at a night club on Nov. 28, 2008. He would need to be reinstated by Roger Goodell, but Burress and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, are confident of his return.
Burress will be released from prison on June 6, and would certainly be a controversial signing by the Bears, or any team for that matter.
But put aside his character issues for a moment and just look at his enormous talent. Burress is a tall, fast receiver who is said to be in the best shape of his life. Look, all these guys do is lift weights and exercise in the yard whenever they can, and it's not like they're out running the streets or anything.
Just look at Michael Vick and his triumphant return from exile. He was not only in great shape, but had improved accuracy because he spent so much time throwing footballs while in jail.
Another thing to consider is that players who come back from adversity, even trouble that is of their own doing, often have a different perspective and a new and improved outlook on life and their craft.
Many players are commenting on the shape that Burress is in and on the one hand, you would expect that as they attempt to give their fellow baller a boost, so we should take that with a healthy dose of salt.
Still, count Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora among those that think any team would be smart to consider Burress:
"He looks great. He is lean; he is in good shape. He's focused and he seems happy. I just can't wait for him to come out and I think he is going to have a great impact a la Michael Vick," Umenyiora said.
Signing Burress would not come without risk. He is 33 and hasn't played in a long time. But when he did play, he had true number one talent.
He has had four seasons with more than 1,000 yards receiving and another where he fell just 12 yards short of that mark.
Meanwhile, the Bears definately need help on offense and Jay Cutler needs an experienced veteran to throw the ball to. Sure, Devin Hester and Johnny Knox are fast but they don't run good routes and Knox, in particular, doesn't fight for the ball. Plus, Burress would make a very tall target for Cutler.
And if you're concerned about the character issue, remember when the Patriots were criticized for signing Randy Moss? Well, how did that turn out for them in the short run?
Look, the window of opportunity is closing fast for the Bears. Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers are each at least 30. They need to go for it while they can.
Jerry Angelo was bold when he made the Cutler trade. He'll need the same guts to sign Burress.
(Quotation courtesy of ESPN.com)
Filed under: Players
Tags: Chicago Bears, Plaxico Burress
Would make out WR core legit
Yeah, I think so. It can't hurt to take a one-year flyer on the guy. By all accounts he is not a bad guy in the locker room.
I'm on board with signing Burress. How can our receiving core get any worse?
I think it's worth a shot. I'd rather get a guy this way than to spend a first round pick on a WR.
Maybe hes not the biggest jerk around, but he was an idiot for shooting himself. Do they really want someone with his brains in his butt?
Well, that's what they said about Randy Moss and he proceeded to catch 23 TDs and total almost 1500 yards in his first season with NE. Now, we won't have Tom Brady throwing to him, granted, but the point is if a guy produces, who cares if he's an idiot? As Vick showed, I think guys coming back from exile will be on their best behavior and appreciate the NFL much more. And at his age, Burress knows this is his last chance.
Correction he'll be 35 this august.
According to ESPN.com, he was born August 12, 1977, which would make him 34 in August.
You're right Bob. I was actually correcting myself (I mentioned he was going to be 36) as I thought I made a post prior, but somehow it didn't take which is odd and frustrating since it was a little detailed. So it was a waste of a perfectly good 10 minutes (I'm a bad typer). I was counting 77 which is obviously wrong. You start at 78 which is when he would've been 1. something any moron would know except this one apparently.