Plaxico Come Back-ico!

Remember when Plaxico Burress used to play football?  You might.  Remember when he discharged a personal weapon into his leg at a nightclub, and was subsequently arrested for it?  I am sure you do.  Rumor has it from his agent Drew Rosenhaus, that Plaxico Burress is in great shape and is excited to return to the field once he is released from prison on June 6th.  Supposedly he has been working out 5x a week and has high hopes for the upcoming season.

However, will Plaxico be the same player that he was in 2008, when he caught the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl but was arrested that November?  Michael Vick's comeback serves as inspiration and motivation for Burress.  Although Michael Vick is a more notorized public figure then Plaxico, everyone loves a comeback kid.  Take a look at all the press Michael Vick has received since his return.  He seemed to be the hot topic of the football world for the entire year, putting Peyton Manning and Tom Brady on the back burner.  Vick even has an endorsement deal from Unequal Technologies, a company which specializes in pads and protection for sports players.  Clearly Michael Vick has rebounded, and Plaxico can do the same by performing well on the field and keeping his cool off of it.

Such a comeback is by no means guaranteed though.  Michael Vick's first season back from prison was subpar and he barely got on the field.  Plaxico will take some time to adjust to the speed of the NFL again, and develop a good connection with his quarterback.  That quarterback will probably not be Eli Manning.  Although the Giants seem to want Burress back, in all honesty they don't have much need for him.  The New York Giants have a solid set of receivers with Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, and Mario Manningham.  There simply isn't room for Burress as these players are all young and will continue to develop, while Plaxico has already played the best football of his career.  The worst case scenario for Burress would be similar to that of Donte Stallworth.  Stallworth was suspended for the 2009 season for committing DUI manslaughter, and served most of his 30-day sentence once he plead guilty.  Following his reinstatement for the 2010 season, he proceeded to catch only two passes as a Baltimore Raven in 2010.  Stallworth clearly has not regained his form since his arrest, but if reports are true, that will not be the case with Plaxico.

So, whichever team it may be, rumor has it the Pittsburgh Steelers would welcome Burress, bring Plaxico Back-ico to the NFL!  Who cares if about his stupidity back in 2008?  Plaxico Burress seems motivated to rejuvinate his career and redefine his life, so I hope to see him back on the football field in 2011 (assuming there is no lockout).  Besides, then I can wear his jersey again :)