NYP Reports NY Giants May Bring WR Plaxico Burress Back to Team

Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress will be a free man again on June 6. He may end up among old friends.

The New York Post is reporting that the New York Giants aren't saying "no" to bringing Burress back to the team this summer. The former wideout is completing a two-year jail sentence, one he received after accidentally shooting himself in the leg while in a Manhattan nightclub back in November 2008. Burress will turn 34 approximately one month before the start of the 2011 NFL regular season.

Such a story will turn into nothing more than an afterthought if the NFL labor dispute isn't settled by spring and there is no 2011 preseason or regular season. It is interesting to note that support for a Plaxico return is "growing" in the Giants organization despite the fact that wide receivers Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith and Mario Manningham all looked very good (while healthy) during the 2010 regular season. Nicks and Manningham combined for 139 receptions, roughly 2000 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.

The offense has missed Burress the most inside the 20. New York hasn't found a suitable "big red zone target" replacement for Burress and it's shown in the past two seasons.

Several factors will need to be discussed before Burress wears a Big Blue uniform once more. A contract rivaling his previous deal with the team isn't happening and he'd better recognize that fact. Also, Burress wasn't what you'd call the "model inmate" while serving his sentence. He needs to show both players and coaches he's a changed man. Oh yeah, he'd better in great shape; like Mike Vick circa September 2010 great shape.