Plaxico dons Phillies hat upon release; Ranking Reid
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Plaxico dons Phillies hat upon release; Ranking Reid
Daily News staff
UPDATED: Burress had a camera crew with him to detail his release and did not do any interviews with the media beyond his statement.
However, the New York Post's Steve Serby was able to get a question in about Burress' wearing a Phillies hat.
"Hey man, that's for ya'll (to decide)," Burress said.
* Plaxico Burress was released from prison today in Rome, N.Y., and was reunited with his family at the nearby Turning Stone Casino Resort.
In order to continue to fuel the speculation, we pass along that Burress exited prison wearing an old-school Phillies hat. That could be a clue that he is interested in Philadelphia for his football future, or the "P" stands for Plaxico, or he just likes that hat. (Remember when Clinton Portis donned a Phillies hat leading up to a game against the Eagles because he said he just wanted to wear red that day.)
According to reporters, Burress had a big bear hug for agent Drew Rosenhaus.
"I just want to thank God for bringing me through one of the most trying times in my life," he said to reporters outside the prison. "It's a beautiful day. It's a beautiful day to be reunited with my family. I want to go home and spend some quality time with them."
"I'd like to thank everybody for their prayers and words of encouragement," he said. "I'd like to thank all my fans all around the world for the thousands of letters, for their unwavering support. As far as football is concerned, if and when everything gets settled, when they get back on the field, I'll be ready."
He is expected to return to his home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., later today.
Rosenhaus had described Burress as "one of the top free agents," and said that he definitely will be ready to play when football resumes. Keep in mind that Burress' apparent desire to play for the Eagles does not necessarily mean the Eagles have a desire to sign him.
Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, handicapped potential destinations and installed the Eagles as a 3-1 favorite. He lists the Rams as the second choice at 7-1.
About the Eagles, he writes:
Why it would work: Burress apparently wants to play there and who better to help him through the perils of a return from prison than Eagles QB Michael Vick? The Burresses have a home in Northern New Jersey, only 90 miles away, and with Burress on board, the Eagles might be the NFC favorites.
Why it wouldn't: A "new start" in a notoriously tough media market, 90 miles from New York? He'll see the New York media there every day. Also, would he be happy as the third wheel behind WRs Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson? Would be a dangerous trio though.
* New ESPN.com NFC East blogger Dan Graziano ranks Andy Reid as the top coach in the NFC East.
While Tom Coughlin and Mike Shanahan have won Super Bowl rings, Graziano writes of Reid: "There's just no way to argue with Reid's consistent level of success. In 12 years as the Eagles' head coach, he's had nine winning seasons, eight double-digit-win seasons, seven first-place finishes, 10 playoff wins and a conference title. His teams contend or win every single year. He's retooled his offensive skill positions on the fly over the past three years without a hiccup. He's not afraid to make a decision no one else likes if he believes it to be the right one for the team. He has guts, conviction and my vote for the top spot."
He ranks Coughlin second and Shanahan third. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett does not have the body of work to be included in the discussion at this point, and is listed as fourth.
* Free agent cornerback Ellis Hobbs, whose two seasons with the Eagles ended in severe injuries, told the Boston Herald that he has not made up his made about retiring, despite reports to the contrary.
"All I’m doing is relaxing,” Hobbs said. ”Because of the lockout, it’s just giving me extra time to work on other things. But none of the doctors have said I need to shut it down, I need to stop playing. I myself haven’t even thought about that, or going that route. I’ve weighed both sides of it, and I’m pretty comfortable where I am right now.”
Hobbs will be running a camp next month in Warwick, R.I., for kids 6-18 year old - the Ellis Hobbs Youth Football Camp and Life Skills. About 300 campers are expected.
"Growing up, I’ve worked at camps, I’ve been a part of them. But the thing we’re doing, we’re going to involve life skills as well,” Hobbs told the Herald. ”One thing I’ve learned over the years, not just football, but sports, coincide with life. You can apply the same type of knowledge and abilities you have in football to life. The same applications of not giving up, working hard, being on time, going the extra mile, all those things apply to regular life. ”
I believe the word is rankling. Professional journalists?— holla- I don't want Plaxico to become an Eagle! In fact, I hope they cancel the whole NFL season.— Tar Heel 1
- If a guy's robbing you at gunpoint, and somehow you disarm him, can you beat him to death? Wouldn't that be street justice? Who could disagree with that logic?— orange rhino
- Drew Rosenhaus looks like Butthead in that picture. Come to think of it, I've never seen both of them in the same place at the same time. Hmmmm....— JohnnyH
- Burress heart and soul is with the New York Football Giants....where he caught his winning TD in the Super Bowl against now and always in the record books 18-1 New England! Something the Birds will never do!— MRD
- Plax. Just win baby!— NYPHILLYPHAN
- the punishment did not fit the crime. His biggest offense was a fashion foul, elastic waist band sweats. Around the same time, Donte Stallworth kills a man, leaves the scene & goes to breakfast. His punishment: house arrest in South Beach mansion. Any of the other NFL cities, Burress gets NO jail time--he deserves a shot @ playing and earning a living. Lord knows he abused Sheldon Brown for years, he may as well as sign here!
KING~out— thee~KING - Jax, Plex, and Mac out in the route, Shady stands to have a hell of a ground game.... That's a walk to and through a Super Bowl...... oh, wait... Defense...... :(— Dexter
- Not owning a gun in America is simply UnAmerican.......... that aside, we need a red zone threat. I can give a hoot about player manners. I want a Super Bowl.— Dexter
- News flash Eagles change team name to Phelons.— joeyrofrano
- Don't care for the guy, but he did get screwed, mayor wanted to make him an example. In Texas, or South East, he would have had probation.— camasbud
Mike Richards wore a Yankees cap this year. Do you think he is going to play for them next year?— delcodanno- The man shot himself....the punishment was way too extreme in my opinion!!! As for the type of people we have on the team there are more stand up respectable players than criminals. Get a clue!!!— needaring
- Does Graziano forget, as many people do when they talk about Coughlin, that he is the most successful expansion head coach in league history, and that he took the Jaguars to the AFC Championship game twice. He has accomplished a lot more than Reid.— watsonmr
- Let the whining begin. Philadelphia fans and media are by far the worst whiners in the land. The guy paid for his crimes and in this country, that's all he's required to do. He can now get on with his life. He should sign with the Rams. If he comes to Philly, it will be continuous whine after whine after whine. The only good that would come from him signing with the Eagles is some of the criticism of Vick will stop. Some. Whine, whine, whine.— dapmman
- Can I have some cheese now? — PhilliefaninAZ
- More of a reason to continue the boycott of the iggles. Can they have atleast a couple of players that haven't gotten into trouble with the law?— flavious27
- I thought gun toten thugs only wore Yankees hats? Maybe Reid and Nickels can get Dykstra to punt or something??— outta work
- shanahan is the worst coach in the nfc he is overrated, bigoted, lying, snake and the game has passed him by, terell davis won the 2 superbowls for denver NOT elway who was old and ready to retire when davis took over the offense when elway was young he got to the SB and was immediately vaporized 4 straight times.— only 9
- Is that really Plexiglass, or Snoop Dog and Paulie Walnuts?— Geno D
- Eagles already have a Convicted Felon in Vick and other players who have been to jail..Just make the Birds a team of Convicted felons who break the law and a bunch of moron fans who follow them!— MRD
- The funny thing was watching his pathetic agent run into his arms, upon him being released. I would have laughed if Plax hadn't didn't catch him when he jumped....— PhilliefaninAZ
Pray for Plexico!— Kevinmac- Go back to bed losers! Just cause he has a Phillies hat doesn't mean he is signing with you. You already have plenty of Wide receivers...who can't help lead you to a Super Bowl. You should stick with them. Jackson will just ask for more money or will want to be released. Forget about Burress. Let your dreams continue!— MRD
- One question everyone seems to ignore: How has his leg healed? Will he be effective? McDougal never really recovered from his gunshot wound. I'm no doctor, but it seems like a gun going off in your pocket would go through a lot of muscle before exiting.— dlscholt
- Everyone seems to be forgeting that Plax was benched by the coaches for insubordination in his final season before he shot himself. We don't need a 34 year old that needs a year of rehab to play, and can't follow directions. Everyone deserves a second chance but they all not need to have it wearing Eagle green.— unbelieveable!
- Won't happen.
(1) Both Plaxico and Vick have probation stipulations that they are not to engage in conversation, fraternize or even be associated with any other convicted felon, so them both playing on the same team doesn't seem likely.
(2) Eagles won't deal with a free agent represented by Drew Rosenhaus.
PS: PLEASE GET RID OF THE BLARING AUTOPLAY VIDEOS ON EVERY PAGE!!!
— levittownpunkass - Im not even pro gun, and I think he got made an example of. Way too rough of a sentence for making a mistake. And like Xander said, if you are a target with a lot of money, youd probably carry a gun also, or never go out.— peteike
- The comments about Reid make him maybe the best front office guy. If it was best coach during the actual game he's dead last. He'd really be the best front office guy if he fired himself and hired a real 'coach'.— burholme
- oh, he'll be in an eagles uniform next season but i'm more concerned about immediate needs: offensive line and defense. hopefully those are areas of improvement this year.— esesjay
- Compared to what Vick did -
Plaxico shooting himself in the leg is actually kind of funny -
two years in jail just for being a clumsy idiot was a bit harsh.
However, I do not want him on the Eagles - one felon on the team is enough - are we the Raiders or Cowboys now?— phillydude - I hope we pick the dude up! We need that tall prescence and it will stop him from getting 200 yards a game recieving on us!— phillynupe4
- I hope we pick the dude up! We need that tall prescence and it will stop him from getting 200 yards a game recieving on us!— phillynupe4
- At the end of the day money will talk. He's playing for his future so im not sure which team will make a offer for Plax. Damm i wish we could pick him up. He really could help us. Our receivers are not Physical enough in my opinion.— Yes_General
- Reid #1 coach in NFC East...huh? Lets see how many super bowl WINS does Shanahan have, Coughlin? But here in Philly success is based on regular season hype.— Carlos2
- Big non story. For once in our lifetimes, Eagles don't really need receivers. I do wish Plax the best of luck on getting his life back on track, everyone deserves a second chance, I hope he uses his well..— TexasYankee
- Eagles, please don't sign Plaxico. He's an idiot. He bring a gun to a nightclub then forgets to put the safety on. Plax, you big dummy. next question.— Don Cornelius
- Everyone is entitled to forgiveness. It's good for the soul to forgive. Try it and you'll see the magic it works.— BigMike100
- It makes no sense for Plaxico to play for the Eagles. He's going to get a 1 year deal wherever he goes so he needs to have a good year to get another contract and he won't have that opportunity as a 4th receiver. His best bet to make money is to go to a team that's not that good and be the #1 or #2 receiver. He's only using the Eagles as a way to market himself, just like any good free agent in baseball would say they'd play for the Yankees just to raise their stock, even if they don't want to go there. I'd be happy if Plaxico came to the Eagles, but don't see it happening.— awl
Lets face it! We are the absoloute WORST team in the Redzone, We need this guy badder than a Pig needs Slop!— citysims
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- Wouldn't it be a parole violation?— gho_matt
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Talent wins— shawnmac- Plax wearing a Phillies hat...sweet.— dogman5
- Greatest coach...until there is less than 5 minutes left in the game. Then he falls to dead LAST!!!!— sarah89
- MichaelZoe, The Eagles have 9 winning seasons in Reid's 12 years. He has had 3 losing or .500 seasons. Calling him better than Coughlin who won a Super Bowl with his current team is just plainly stupid...— Getinline
- Dan is one more national ESPN media stooge who thinks not winning a Super Bowl is acceptable....It is 12 years of failure...PERIOD....Guess he does not realize you play the game to win.....must be nice to be a mediocre or an average run of the mill writer or coach with no thoughts or attempts at being the best......Sounds like Jeff ought to him.......One more guy who thinks the gold standard is a term for slightly above average...— nuggett
- The Eagles shouldnt want Plaxico not because he was in jail and is a criminal but because he is stupid. So stupid that he SHOT HIMSELF!— drerock6
- Soulman, if your son or daughter was sitting next to Plax when the gun went off, you might feel a lot differently about how strict NYC is with illegal firearms laws. That being said....sign the man ASAP! Fade route for the first time in over a decade, woo hoo!!— kgall
- 1. It went off in the rear stairwell, so no one was in the proximity to be in any danger. 2. He had been robbed at gun point several times in his career, why wouldn't he carry a gun? 3. Have you ever been robbed at gun point? If not, how can you or anyone else judge him for protecting himself?
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- Rumor has it that Bin Laden was wearing a Yankees hat when he was killed in the raid.— phink
- Hobbs hasn't made up his mind about retiring? Son, nobody will sign you because you stink. time to retire. career over.— Don Cornelius
- soulman386: Ah, no. His gun dischargred in a nightclub = big trouble.
— MichaelZoe - Yeah, because we all know that Reid is a far superior coach: time management skills, drafting 210 lb linebackers to play the middle, 250 lb defensive ends that generate no pass rush, not running the ball, sticking with McNabb, releasing Dawkins, and believing that he can win the SB with a 61% pass to run ratio when it's NEVER been done. Oh yeah, no SB Rings either. But he's the best. For sure. Who needs SB Rings or titles when you have 12 winning seasons. Splendid.— MichaelZoe
- Lets hope he doesn't shoot himself again when he gets here.— juicy@34
- The punishment did not fit the crime. Plaxico broke the law by not registering his gun and renewing his conceal carry permit and he deserved some punishment. But being locked up for almost two years was far too excessive.— soulman386
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- Coughlin and Shanahan have rings, Reid doesn't. It doesn't matter how they got them. End of story. Also - gotta love Rosenhaus. If Burress is "one of the top free agents" then he's either high as usual or there aren't any free agents out there.— DennyP
- As we saw with Vick, it will take a year for Plax to get back to NFL shape. If the price is right, sign him, but he probably wants too much.— P Even
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- From a lunatic; Reid, PLEASE win a Super Bowl so I can be cured......— STEPHEN1988
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