(Image Source: MCT)
BY JJ BAILEY
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Plaxico... is baxico. After serving nearly two years in prison, former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress is out of the slammer and ready to get back into action.
The 34-year-old wide receiver was sentenced to two years in prison after he -- accidentally -- discharged a handgun in a New York nightclub, injuring his thigh and narrowly missing a security guard. Oh what a difference a day makes. Yesterday, convicted felon. Today -- top free agent.
Sound familiar?
After Michael Vick’s return to the spotlight went better than anyone expected, the media isn’t asking “can Plaxico make it?” -- but rather, how soon can he get here?
ESPN’s Chris Carter talks team interest and what it’s going to take for Plax to get back to catching passes, after living behind bars.
“Im concerned about his overall explosive ability ... The ability to get out, stretch and run. Eat all the right things, and supplements and treat your body ... You can’t make a living in the National Football League as a receiver if you’re not comfortable. When you haven’t touched a ball, when you haven’t played catch, when you haven’t caught NFL type passes, you start to lose some of those skills.”
With a release from prison, there’s gotta be more to the story right? Not if you take a look around the blogosphere...
Just about every sports blog in every city was all business, and that business was speculating on where the former receiver would land- and he hasn’t even been out of prison for a day.
From the positive...
To the negative...
To the coldly analytical.
Even ESPN made a handy dandy predictive chart laying out which teams would be most interested in the newly freed man.
But it wasn’t just niche blogs that turned to the “Football first” storyline. NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk had four graphs on the story of his release, but managed to fit in this hard-hitting analysis...
“Burress was wearing a Philadelphia Phillies hat, which may mean he sees playing in Philadelphia in his future, or may just mean he likes the hat.”
Sporting News followed suit, headlining their coverage with "Plaxico Burress, now free, ideal fit with Eagles." And opening with...
“From prison to Philadelphia worked for Michael Vick. It could also work for Plaxico Burress.”
But not everyone was feigning forgetfulness and forgiveness. The New York Times’ William Rhoden, while touching on the Plax’s professional path, focused on his personal struggle.
“The more compelling aspect of his life is how this has affected him long term. How has his worldview expanded? What will be his message, especially to young players who like Burress can be lulled by celebrity into thinking they are above the law? ... For Burress, the long road back begins Monday.
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