Ravens Among Teams To Consider Signing Plaxico Burress
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The Baltimore Ravens have indicated that they are open to bringing in Plaxico Burress, or anybody for that matter that would help them upgrade their WR core.
via PFT:
"“I don’t know Plaxico Burress at all, I’ve never met him, but we’d consider him. We’d consider anybody. It just depends on where he’s at. I’d like to find out what kind of person he is, to see where he’s really at in his life.”"
Right now coach, Mr. Burress is serving out a prison sentence for publicly shooting himself in the leg with an illegal firearm. That’s exactly where he is – just an FYI there. He’s a seasoned veteran that’s been sitting in the can, having been denied work release multiple times. He’s not a hit-the-ground-running vertical threat WR anymore. And I’m not sure Burress would be significant upgrade for the first couple of years even in the best case scenario. Conditioning, shaking the rust off, learning the new system in Baltimore, and basically getting his life back in order is going to take time. Perhaps longer than two seasons. It just might not be a viable move to sign Burress and take up a roster spot on such a project. PFT’s Mike Florio seemed to look for other answers as well:
"Though Burress, if he still can play after two years away from the field, would be an upgrade, the Ravens still need a consistent deep threat that can stretch the field and draw double coverage. Burress would be great along the sidelines or in the back of the end zone, but to truly upgrade, the Ravens may need to make a run at Terrell Owens or Randy Moss."
I don’t know if I’d want any of these guys on my team in 2011, assuming there’s a season. Even the player often compared to Burress in terms of potential coming out of prison — Michael Vick — he didn’t exactly hit the ground running in 2009, most people forget that he was down the depth chart year one out of prison, and for good reason. As talented, explosive, and unique a player as Vick, it too will take longer than 2 seasons to seriously upgrade the Eagles Superbowl chances. Just like last year, the Eagles were one and done and in my opinion – LUCKY to make the post season to begin with. All tolled, the Eagles were no better than a McNabb-led Philly squad that went one and done in 2009. But this is another story all together.
Are the Ravens, or any team for that matter, going to seriously take a chance on a very limited upside with Plaxico Burress? I seriously doubt he becomes a starter anywhere in the NFL this season.