As the NFL continues to remain under lock and key, another man will soon be granted his freedom.
Yes that’s right….if you haven’t been following, Plaxico Burress will be released from jail in the coming weeks after spending two years locked up for shooting himself in the leg at a New York City night club.
When Plax is released, he will become a free agent, and will have an opportunity to sign with any team in the league. I’m asking you Steeler nation; would you welcome Plaxico back to the black and gold with open arms?
Sure his time in the Burgh was short of spectacular, but I have always been a Plaxico fan. After being drafted 8th overall by the Steelers in the 2000 NFL draft, Plaxico continued to improve his skills by increasing his average yards per catch ratio in each of his 5 seasons in Pittsburgh.
In his last season in Pittsburgh, Plaxico recorded his most impressive yards per catch ratio of his career at 20, and had become one of Roethlisberger’s primary targets.
Plaxico left the Steelers to play for the Giants the following year, and went on to record two 1,000-yard seasons in the next three years, and made the game winning catch in Super Bowl 42 to defeat the previously undefeated Patriots.
Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t think there is anything wrong with the current Steeler’s receiving corps. In fact quite the contrary, I think the Steeler’s receivers have a very bright future.
Plaxico will not expect to come back into the league as a No. 1 receiver for any team, how could he being out of the league for two consecutive years? I think Plaxico could crack the Steeler’s roster as the No. 3 receiver, and could act as a mentor…strictly on football matters of course, to the Steeler’s young group of pass catchers.
As far as his ability to pick up the game again, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick had no problem readjusting to the speed of the NFL post incarceration. It’s not like Plaxico is behind the eight ball getting ready for this upcoming season. With the NFL lockout in place, no player has been able to practice with his respective team. Plax would have as much time to learn a new playbook as any other free agent or rookie player.
I’m not saying adding Plaxico to the Steeler’s roster would be the move to put the black and gold over the top this year, I’m simply implying that if Plax were to rejoin the black and gold this offseason, I would welcome him with open arms.