Where Plaxico Burress might land
June, 3, 2011
6/03/11
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By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
Where Plaxico Burress might end up
Plaxico Burress will be released from prison on June 6. Our NFL bloggers assess his chances of landing in each division. Would you take a chance on Burress?
| Team | Analysis | Chances of signing |
|---|---|---|
| NFC EAST by Dan Graziano | ||
 | Not completely crazy, but the Cowboys have good receivers and other priorities, especially in the secondary and along the lines. Plus, signing Burress would invite a circus element (at least at the beginning), the kind of which Dallas is trying to eliminate. | Low |
 | They know him. They like him. As great as their WRs were two years ago, the fact is they've missed him and could use him. He might prefer to sign there since he likely doesn't want to move his family. And if the Eagles and/or Redskins are in the picture, the Giants' incentive to sign him could go up. | Medium |
 | Sure, they have receivers. But Andy Reid loves a redemption story (see: Vick, Michael) and isn't afraid to go unconventional if he thinks he can get talent for value. And Philadelphia's even closer to his N.J. home than Washington. | High |
 | I still think they need WR help even after the Leonard Hankerson pick, and they'd probably love to tweak the Giants. He'd probably be an upgrade over Santana Moss, who could leave via free agency. And Washington isn't TOO far from his N.J. home. | Medium |
| NFC WEST by Mike Sando | ||
 | Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston, Early Doucet and Andre Roberts give the Cardinals four game-tested options at the position. Arizona needs a quarterback more than another receiver. | Low |
 | The 49ers are starting fresh under Jim Harbaugh after investing heavily in Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis. This isn't the time to bring aboard a nearly 34-year-old potential distraction. | Low |
 | Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo and Burress were together with the Giants, inviting speculation, but St. Louis appears to be heading in another direction at the position. | Low |
 | Coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider have proved they'll consider all options, but the Seahawks have plenty of size at receiver with Mike Williams and rookie Kris Durham. | Low |
| NFC NORTH by Kevin Seifert | ||
 | The Bears haven't showed much interest in free-agent markets over the past few years, but coach Lovie Smith is on record saying he would like to add a "big receiver." | Medium |
 | The Lions drafted Boise State's Titus Young in the second round and have free-agent needs at too many other positions to consider Burress. | Low |
 | General manager Ted Thompson rarely pursues veteran free agents at any position, and at receiver he is stocked with Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, rookie Randall Cobb and perhaps pending free agent James Jones. | No chance |
 | The Vikings twice pursued big receivers last season, failing to acquire Vincent Jackson and then trading for Randy Moss, and could have a need if Sidney Rice departs via free agency. | Medium |
| NFC SOUTH by Pat Yasinskas | ||
 | The Falcons are stocked at wide receiver after drafting Julio Jones to go with Roddy White. | No chance |
 | The team wants quarterback Cam Newton to grow up with young receivers Brandon LaFell, David Gettis and Armanti Edwards around him. This team isn't looking to add veterans. | No chance |
 | They're well stocked at wide receiver with the likes of Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Robert Meachem. But the Saints have been known to take shots on veterans. | Low |
 | The Bucs have some very good young receivers. Plus, they're in a youth movement and aren't looking to add players in their 30s. | No chance |
| AFC EAST by Tim Graham | ||
 | The Bills are establishing a culture and already have a relatively deep receiving corps. | Low |
 | The Dolphins need help in the passing game, but Burress is pretty much the same player as Brandon Marshall -- only older and slower. | Medium |
 | If the Patriots want to invest in a receiver, then it'll be a burner. | Low |
 | If the Jets can't re-sign both Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, then they'll be in the market to maintain Mark Sanchez's support staff. | High |
| AFC WEST by Bill Williamson | ||
 | The Broncos could use a veteran receiver, but they are so far away from contention that I'm not sure this makes sense. | Low |
 | The Chiefs usually stay away from troubled players, and they just used their first-round pick on a receiver, so I don't think they'd be major players. | Low |
 | The Raiders have long been connected to Burress, and they could use a veteran receiver. But would the Raiders really want to go there? | Medium |
 | The Chargers potentially could use a receiver, and he fits the mold of the big receiver San Diego likes, but it would be out of character for A.J. Smith to pursue him. | Low |
| AFC NORTH by James Walker | ||
 | The Ravens have enough 30-plus receivers in Derrick Mason and Anquan Boldin. If Burress were 10 years younger and had 4.2 speed to stretch the field, the Ravens might be interested. | Low |
 | The Bengals are having a youth movement at receiver and likely will get rid of Chad Ochocinco, 33. Dumping Ocho and signing another aging and embattled receiver would be contradictory. | Low |
 | The Browns certainly have the money to spend and a need for a proven receiver. If Cleveland is willing to take on the character risk, young QB Colt McCoy could use all the help he can get. | Medium |
 | The Steelers have been there and done that by drafting Burress in 2000. He was unpredictable and inconsistent in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers won't go down that road again. | No chance |
| AFC SOUTH by Paul Kuharsky | ||
 | A more threatening No. 2 receiver is the only real ingredient the Texans need on offense. Burress could be a nice risk-reward move. | Medium |
 | The things they need (sharp route-runner who read coverages and adjusts) and the things he does (using his size) don't line up. | No chance |
 | Not what they really need, which is a fast, downfield threat. Plus, this is a young team building to be ready for a young QB in Blaine Gabbert. | Low |
 | The Randy Moss experiment was a bomb. While it's a new staff, the front office is the same. Would it try something similar again? | Low |
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