Plaxico Burress Eying Eagles

Added on Feb 29, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

Soon to be free agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress is once again on the recruiting trail. And just like last year, Burress has expressed an interest in joining the Philadelphia Eagles. During a radio interview with 97.5 The Fanatic yesterday morning, he made it clear that returning to the Jets is a possibility, but the Eagles are at the top of his wish list of potential destinations.

Burress, who turns 35 in August, feels his size and red zone abilities would be a perfect fit in the Eagles attack.

“Hey man, nothing else would make me happier. Obviously coming to Philadelphia, instituting myself into the offense, it just adds a unique dynamic to what’s already in place… “I always say you can neutralize speed, but you can’t neutralize size. I mean, you can back off a guy who runs a 4.2 or 4.3 and keep him in front of you. But when you get down inside the 20, 15, inside the red zone, you’re talking about a guy like me out there on the edge, I mean there’s only so many things you can do.”

Burress posted modest numbers during his first season back on the field, catching 45 passes for 612 yards and eight touchdowns. He failed to eclipse 100 yards in any game and notched less than five receptions in 15 of 16 games. While some of his lack of productivity can be attributed to Mark Sanchez and the Jets scheme, it was obvious Burress had lost a step or two.

The Eagles still have to make a decision on their own potential free agent wide receiver, DeSean Jackson, before they start considering other players. Jackson will likely be franchised if a long-term deal cannot be reached, but predicting what the Eagles front office might do is a foolish endeavor.

Would Burress fill a need in the Birds offense? Sure, giving Michael Vick another skilled target certainly wouldn’t hurt, and the Eagles aren’t shy about making “controversial” moves. On the other hand, Plax is an aging athlete who exited his prime years ago, which isn’t normally the type of player Andy Reid pursues.

Then again, Reid is on a short leash after the disastrous 2011 campaign, so reaching on a guy like Burress might constitute a low risk, high reward maneuver.

Source: Deadspin