This is not like Michael Vick coming out of prison. Plaxico Burress was released Monday, but he will not walk back into the NFL and become Vick II. And that’s why if — or rather when — a team signs him, they should not count on him suddenly being a transformed player.
Instead, he’ll be a 34-year-old receiver who hasn’t had a good year since 2007. Granted, two of those years were spent in prison. But that’s not exactly going to help him.
And before we even get started, the Redskins should not consider signing him. Not because he spent time behind bars but because it’s debatable how much Burress could really help them. If the lockout lasts into August and there’s an abbreviated camp, is it really plausible that a guy who spent two years away from the game — and had a reputation for being late to meetings and was not all that studious beforehand — will make an impact? Is that the sort of guy you would want to pair with a young receiving corps?
Um, let me answer that for you: No.
The Eagles could take a shot on Vick two years ago because he was only 29 when he exited prison. It also took him a year to get his legs in NFL shape. When he ran the ball in his first year back he looked heavy-legged.
But Vick had the luxury of going to a place where he didn’t need to be used. Vick could take that year, transform himself and still have plenty of years left in his career. He turned out to be a good investment. But if you sign a receiver who is 34, you’re not looking at 2012. You need him now. Receivers with previously questionable habits don’t last that long once they reach this stage.
It helps that Burress was never a burner, so it’s not like he’ll have to learn to play a new way. He also didn’t shrink in prison. But Burress will have to undergo a major transition while also learning a new offense. He deserves a second chance. Just be realistic about what he’s facing.
