Let Freedom Ring: Plaxico Burress Released From Prison

After 21 months of incarceration for criminal possession of a weapon, WR Plaxico Burress will be released today, June 6, 2011, from Oneida Correctional Facility in Rome, NY. Burress was arrested after accidentally shooting himself in the leg with a loaded, unlicensed gun he carried, in his sweatpants, into the Manhattan Nightclub, Latin Quarter, in November 2008.

Burress was changed in September 2009, with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment in the second degree; he was sentenced to serve two years in a New York State Correctional Facility.  After previous requests for work releases had been declined, Burress was, finally, granted early release for good behavior in March 2011.

In response to the allegations, the New York Giants suspended Burress without pay for the duration of the 2008 season, withheld the remaining $1 million dollars of his sign-on bonus, and placed him on the reserve/non –football list for ‘conduct detrimental to the team’. The Giants released Burress from their roster in April 2008.

The BIG question following Burress’ release – Where will Burress play the 2011 Season? Immediately after his conviction, the New York Giants released a statement that they would NOT be considering Burress to be part of the franchise after his release; however there have been mixed responses from current Giants players. 

Burress Grabs a TD pass in Giants Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots

Close friend of Burress, RB Brandon Jacobs told reporters on Thursday, 06/02/11, that “there’s no chance that Plaxico Burress will be a New York Giant.”;  DE Justin Tuck, on the other hand, has not ruled out the Giants’ interest in Burress. The Giants are in desperate need of a reliable wide receiver; standing at 6’5”, Burress has a much feared height advantage over most defenders (as most Giants fans can recall from the famed 2007 season).  The Giants have had SIX CONSECUTIVE losses to the rival Philadelphia Eagles after the loss of Burress; while Burress was receiving for Big Blue, the Giants were 6-2 against the Eagles.

The Eagles are now one of the many teams looking to sign Burress for next season.  Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick confirmed the Eagles interest in Burress. Other teams that have shown interest in Burress include the St. Louis Rams, the New York Jets, the Pittsburg Steelers, and the Miami Dolphins. Burress has not released a statement about where he would like to play the upcoming season. Either way, Burress will not be signed anytime soon thanks to the NFL lock out.  Although, as all Giants Fan know, Plaxico Burress will (always) look best in BLUE!