Former New York Giant receiver Plaxico Burress has applied for a work release from prison. If granted a release, it is expected that his suspension would be lifted and the 33-year-old receiver would be eligible to return to the National Football League.
Work release rules state that an inmate can work Monday through Friday and return to prison on the weekends. The inmate is also not allowed to travel outside the state. Burress would need to get a waiver to be able to play in the NFL and although waivers are rare, they are not impossible.
Burress is a 6’5" receiver who has the experience—and the play making ability—the Raiders need. Burress caught 12 touchdown passes in 2008, including the Super Bowl winning touchdown, and has averaged six touchdowns a year throughout his nine-year career.
The Raiders offense has struggled the past few years, partly because of JaMarcus Russell, but also because there is a lack of experience and big-play ability within the receiving corps. Experience and big-play ability are both things Burress would offer the Raiders.
Louis Murphy led the Raiders’ receivers with 34 receptions last year. Plaxico Burress has had 35 receptions or more every year of his career except for his rookie year.
The Raiders top four receivers, Louis Murphy, Chaz Schilens, Johnnie Lee Higgins, and Darrius Heyward-Bey, combined for seven touchdown receptions last year. Burress has had seven or more touchdowns in three of his past four seasons, with the exception being the 2008 season which was shortened by injuries.
When people think of Plaxico Burress, they think he would bring baggage because of his time in jail, but the shooting was one isolated incident, and was more of an example of Burress being stupid than him having a bad image.
The Raiders needs to take a chance on Burress and a veteran to the group of young receivers.
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
