Would Burress fit with the Eagles?
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Would Burress fit with the Eagles?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
I covered the Plaxico Burress nugget yesterday, but after checking out your comments and hearing some different opinions on the matter, I thought I'd expand on my thoughts a little bit today.
In case you missed it, Gary Myers of the New York Daily News wrote that he's heard the Eagles will be "first in line" as a suitor for Burress when he's released from prison next month.
Let's take this point-by-point to determine whether such a move would make sense.
And if you're wondering whether we've reached a new low in lockout-induced writing, well, yes, we have. But this beats helmet power rankings, right?
Anyway...
Argument: The Eagles need red-zone help
My take: The Eagles' defense was historically bad in the red zone last year, but the offense was not. The Birds were in the middle of the pack (15th), scoring touchdowns on 52.83 percent of their red-zone chances (not including Week 17 against the Cowboys). Michael Vick was a weapon in the red zone. He threw 13 touchdowns and one interception, but maybe more importantly, ran for nine touchdowns. In other words, he was responsible for 22 red-zone scores.
Jeremy Maclin was the Eagles' best red-zone receiver (see next point), but the Birds have other options on their roster too. In 2009, Brent Celek had 10 catches for 86 yards and six touchdowns in the red zone. And LeSean McCoy ranked second in the NFL with 14 red-zone catches in 2010, accounting for six red-zone scores total (rushing and receiving combined).
Argument: The Eagles need size in the red zone
My take: As I mentioned, the Eagles' best red-zone receiver last season was Maclin. He had 11 catches for 104 yards and seven touchdowns inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Only eight players in the NFL had more red-zone catches than Maclin, who is listed at 6 feet, 198 pounds.
Looking at the numbers league-wide, big receivers no longer dominate in the red zone. The top three wide receivers in terms of red-zone receptions last season were Danny Amendola (5-11), Wes Welker (5-9) and Lance Moore (5-9). That's not to say that height doesn't help. Guys like Marques Colston (6-4) were also effective, but it's not as big a factor as you might think.
Plus, don't forget about Riley Cooper. No one's arguing that he has the ceiling of Burress in his prime, but the Eagles spent a fifth-round pick on him and like Cooper's blend of size (6-3) and speed.
Argument: The situation resembles the Vick signing a couple years ago
My take: OK, this one has some merit. After the Eagles signed Vick, I stopped using phrases like There's no way... or I'd be shocked if... . In other words, I won't rule anything out with this franchise. They have become rather unpredictable in recent years.
When the Eagles signed Vick, they already had Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb at quarterback, so it's not as if they were filling a need. And they made sure to sign Vick to a two-year deal, knowing that he would likely need a year to re-adjust to the NFL. Burress is obviously not a quarterback, but he's never relied on his speed, and we see receivers in their 30s contributing to teams every year.
With that being said, I don't think the Eagles are going to make it their mission to sign every player who gets released from prison. The main factor is still if they think the player can help them win games.
Argument: Any time you can add a player like Burress, you have to explore the option
My take: That would probably be true if we were talking about the Burress that had 12 touchdown catches in 2007 or the Burress who piled up 1,214 yards in 2005. But we're talking about a Burress who was last on the field on Nov. 16, 2008. He'll turn 34 in August. If you figure he takes a year to get adjusted (maybe more considering the potential for limited practice time with the lockout), you're talking about a 35-year-old receiver by the time he's able to really contribute.
Also, while Burress certainly had a lot of success league-wide before going to jail, our view of him is probably a little inflated because of how much success he had against the Eagles. In eight games against the Birds (as a member of the Giants), Burress scored seven touchdowns and had four 100-yard games. The Eagles kept him out of the end zone just twice.
And finally...
I don't buy the idea that signing Burress would send a message to Jackson, who is entering the final year of his contract. Much of what the Eagles do offensively is based on Jackson's speed, and he's only 24 years old. The thought that Burress could somehow make Jackson expendable is just silly.
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Why would you want this bona-fide idiot on the team?— rustypop58- May as well go and get him because the Eagles defenders could never stop him. But why talk about this , it looks like their won't be a season because the idiot owners want the players to give in to a problem the idiot owners created.— eaglesman1
Comment removed.- LOL!!! That would be fitting! What are they trying to become the 90's cowboys? One more ex-con on the team. What a joke and a disgrace this organization is. I guess they only care about character now if the player isn't all that good. Each day the Eagles make the Phillies look that much better. A great team, with a group of guys you can be proud to cheer for. Then there's the eagles. A mediocre team, who just keeps selling it's soul to get worse. Enjoy cheering on the scum of society people.— birdsfaninnc
- All are welcome at the Philadelphia Eagles Halfway House.— ej610
- Looks like Lurie, Banner and Reid have sold their souls to the devil.— ej610
- Primetime receiver he can only help Jackson and Maclin— Foxchase
- Cooper, Avant, and Burress lining up in the red zone. Why not! Go for it.— watsonmr
- SK, I think you missed it on this one. It doesn't matter how old burress is, how the O did in the red zone or anything like that. All that matters is if Burress makes the Eagles better or not. If he can be better than the #5 WR on the roster [Chad Hall, Sinorice Moss or whoever] you get him because that makes the team better. Any improvement at any position is a good thing.— tpizza
- Maybe he can room with Vick.— pigsofsunday
- Considering we are so lopsided talent wise on offense anyway I say take him. With this defense we will need to put 28 a game minimum to win. Makes you wonder who makes it then Cooper or Avant, I say keep Avant— yourdaddy!
- By the way, what did he do that was so bad, he literraly shot himself in the foot!— yourdaddy!
- another over-30 convict? yeah, sure, by all means sign him.— snakeplissken
- theres a chance to take him,provided,1..is he in football shape???physically,and mentally??2,would he consider playing here?? he's been a load ,when he played with the g-men..could he bring that to the eagles?? and most importantly...how much flak would this man recieve from the fans here...michael vick took the best shots from the fans here,and until he proved he can still play,will plax get the same?YES,he will.can he play,and take the lumps? Yes he can. if the team can get him in here,regardless to what we have now, i say bring him in.he should be allowed the chance like anyone else.MAKE A OFFER TO HIM,and see how it works out!!— t_darb_56
- I can see it now. Vick and Burress on their days off seeing their parole officers.. LOL.... I say go for it... One more added weapon.... Who cares about Morals.... We are trying to win a SuperBowl..... Something I think that the Eagles have not seen in a long time....— Cool 1
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