CBS analyst was on ESPN 1000 yesterday and this what he had to say about the Bears interest in troubled WR Plaxico Burress:
“If I was running a franchise, I don’t want him, so, do the Bears try to go out and get him? Why would you want that problem? I mean, look, Plaxico Burress, he put himself in this position. I mean, he’s a guy that left his family, his wife and kids at home and had to go to a nightclub and carry a loaded weapon with him in New York. And then shot himself. Is this a guy you want on your football team?’’
“I hate to guess, I’m not going to try to put that weight on him, but if I’m a team and I know Plaxico’s gifted—I get it, he’s a big target with speed and creates great separation, what a target; the Giants won a Super Bowl with him—but I don’t need all that, I don’t need all that in the papers all the time about every move he makes off the field. A total distraction. I think the Giants this year are going to find out, now that they’ve had time to regroup: he destroyed their season last year. His selfish act cost the Giants a chance at repeating. I would really be surprised if anybody was that anxious to get him if they had to deal with that hanging over their head the whole season long about what’s going to happen at the end of the year. It’s not worth it to me.’’
“I don’t see any conceivable way that he could be cleared of these charges, there will be an uproar in New York if they say, ‘Okay, we’re going to let him go.’ They’re not going to give him preferential treatment. You know what the outcome’s going to be on this deal … So why do you want this hanging over your team? Is it worth it for one year? I don’t want that. I wouldn’t want it.’’
My thoughts:
I think the Bears really need the veteran receiver to help out the younger receivers and Cutler, but Nantz has many good points.
You don’t want another distraction like Tank Johnson or Cedric Benson on your team.
Don’t get me wrong Plaxico Burress is a great player, but there’s a reason he is still a free-agent.
I’d prefer Brandon Marshall over Plaxico.
Marshall, who wants more money, asked to be traded yesterday.
Although Marshall made some stupid mistakes outside of football, he had great chemistry with Jay Cutler in Denver and really improved his game every year.
I would love to have Marshall as one of our receivers, he would bring the veteran presence that is just not there.
Trading for Brandon Marshall is a good move, but signing Plaxico Burress is a bad one.
all quotes from chicagotribune.com
June 16th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Thats all fine and dandy except…you can’t get Brandon Marshal. You have to have something to give the other team and we don’t have any #1 picks, which is what it will take. So why are we even talking about it? Maybe Nantz doesn’t like him because he’s from Jersey and he was a distraction on his favorite team. He says “I know BM has had is problems….but” What a joke. He has had 10 times the problems Plax has had. Biased.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Hey JT thanks for visiting my site and for leaving a comment. I tottally understand that it would take alot to get Marshall thats why they problem won’t get him, but I was just saying they really need a veteran presence and if the Broncos possibly decide to part ways him, we could get him, but most likely its not gonna happen.
Yea Jim Nantz was correct about Burress, but your right it might be because he’s from New Jersey.
Hey what do you think of free agent WR Drew Bennett?
Thanks again for the comment
June 16th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I think…no thanks. We need a go to #1 or to stick with our guns. I’ll take Hester/Bennett/Knox/Iglesias over Drew Bennett. We’re at 80 players on the roster and I don’t want to get rid of a guy we have right now to sign a player like that. Now a Plax or Marshal, ok, but not DB.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
thats true I was thinking that too. I was just wondering what u thought about DB. Thanks for the comments. They need a #1 to come in not a #3 or 4
June 17th, 2009 at 5:54 am
I completely agree that we need a veteran reciever right now. However, they are to many variables that will cause problems for our guys. Plax will bring a distraction and I agree with JT that Marschall has had even more problems than Plax. I just dont see the bears bringing anybody in this year at WR. The best decision to me is to stick with what we have now. While there may not be a stand out verteran WR it will be better for Cutler to get used to the weapons he has than to worry about bringing someone like plax in right before the season starts if his court problems pass. I think Hester would really develope as a WR if we brought in a veteran but there is to many concerns for me to want to bring in either of the guys.