Enough With The Plaxico Burress Rumors
June 6th, 2011
Joe has an avowed distaste for BSPN because, well, frankly, Joe has higher standards (and if that offends people for being snobbish, so be it). If Joe wants intelligent information about his sports, he turns to the man channels, the NFL Network, MLB Network and the NHL Network.
(To be fair, ESPN — notice Joe can type the correct call letters when warranted? — is the gold standard when it comes to college football coverage, and Joe is very sincere about this. Every time that outfit does something college football related, it demonstrates to anyone with a keen eye and open mind the laziness and disregard it has for other sports.)
So unless Joe is tipped off about something relevant broadcast on the Romper Room show (SchlockCenter), Joe is unaware. The last time Joe watched SchlockCenter was June 2004.
Thankfully, or unfortunately, Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times helps the rest of us. In his otherwise solid “Shooting from the Lip” Monday morning column, in which Jones recaps the highs and lows of a weekend of sports broadcasting, rarely if ever Jones does not reference BSPN in some way, almost as if he is contractually obligated to do so. Sadly, Jones often writes about that insipid “Sports Reporters” show, a horribly, bastardized ripoff of the old principled, thoughtful, “The Sportswriters on TV” weekly show.
That Lupica show — Joe has never confirmed but is led to believe from rumors that Lupica’s brother-in-law owns the company that produces the show — is not just predictable but worthless in Joe’s eyes, in other words, perfect for BSPN. Joe doesn’t give a damn what Lupica thinks or speaks nor will his opinion or position on anything influence Joe. Really, who the hell cares what ivory tower, New Yawk-centric Lupica thinks about some first-name-reference-only non-basketball association clown?
The heavily-edited, if not butchered, Sunday morning cable reruns of “The Sopranos” are more enlightening and entertaining.
This week, Jones references a SchlockCenter piece Sunday where the Bucs came up.
Cris Carter believes the Bucs should go after convicted felon/wide receiver Plaxico Burress. Carter suggests the young Bucs receivers need a veteran to lead them.
Jones, correctly thinks this is a bad idea. Joe agrees for a myriad of reasons. Burress, before he was thrown in a cage, was a malcontent. The Steelers tired of his selfish ways and washed their hands of him, despite the pleading of way-too-handsy-with-women Ben Roethlisberger.
With the Giants, he was habitually late to meetings and practices and often didn’t put out 100 percent effort.
Then, throw in the fact the dude decided to go to a night club with a loaded rod in his sweatpants pocket no less! After facing charges, Burress had a chance to plead out and maybe serve a handful of weeks during the offseason in a pen, but decided to fight the charges and threw away a couple years of his life and career.
Real swift this guy.
As Jones points out, is this the type of veteran the Bucs want with young players? The answer is simple: No.
Carter pointed out that coach Raheem Morris might be a good fit for Burress and the Bucs could use a veteran receiver to go with its young core. But, when you think about it, Tampa Bay really doesn’t make sense. With all their recent arrests, the Bucs probably would be best served to avoid bringing in someone with that kind of baggage. Plus, the way the Bucs receivers were playing at the end of last season, they don’t need a guy who hasn’t caught an NFL pass since Nov. 16, 2008.
But Joe will go one step further than Jones. Last year we heard cries from all sorts of football pundits that screamed the Bucs needed veteran leadership because the team was so young, specifically at wide receiver.
While the points were valid, look at what happened: The Bucs still won 10 games.
If the Bucs were able to get by without a veteran receiver then (what, is Micheal Spurlock a spring chicken?), the Bucs certainly don’t need one now. And as Jones wrote, certainly not a guy with Burress’ baggage.
So folks can stop lying awake at night with the thoughts of Burress wearing pewter and red this season.
If there is a season.
June 6th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
If he can be in some sort of football shape why not? Bring him in for a tryout what would it hurt…Wouldn’t be the first talented idiot on a football team
June 6th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Where’s Michael Vick when you need him?
June 6th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
BTW I don’t care what Drew Rosenhaus says…He’s not in football shape…but what the hell…maybe a 3rd down or red zone receiver can’t hurt
June 6th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
I think if we have any need at WR (I dont think we have a major one at all) it would be a for a burner that can stretch the field. Though he isnt as tall,Mike Williams does a lot of the same things with body position as Plax.
I swear these national talking heads just throw any old team out there in these responses,
June 6th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
I agree Ash…no real need for him other than special height advantage scenarios…I would like a burner…I’m a Canes fan so I’m up on my D. Rosenhaus propaganda…Drew knows if you say it loud enough and for long enough it’s got to be true lol
June 6th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
I really don’t think Plaxico Burress is really much of a risk to bring in. Really, he’s not that bad at all. He just made one very STUPID mistake. It’s not like he was trying to hurt anyone or do anything bad intentionally. I mean, before the incident did you ever hear his name in the news involving the latest club shooting, the latest suspension, the latest substance violations, etc? I never heard about him causing any disruptions or trouble before the accidental shooting occured.
He’s no where near as bad as Talib, Pacman Jones, Tanard Jackson, Michael Vick, and some of the other have been/currently troubled athletes.
June 6th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
@Ash – This may sound dumb but I think it’s the case of old habits dying hard. Once Gruden and his love of veterans came here, the Bucs were mentioned no matter who the player was. This Gruden taint, along with the overall Allen/Gruden/Raider-Second-Chance-For-Veterans taint, is still around.
June 6th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Patrick:
No, but Joe certainly read and heard more than enough stories about him blowing off meetings, coming to practice late, half-assing it in practice if not games, sleeping in meetings, just a malcontent.
Look, if the Steelers let young, talented players walk, that speaks volumes.
Combine that with his rust and being 34, pass.
June 6th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
Plax fits the bucs character profile perfectly, red flags that lower the investment – right up this team’s alley. Also, Plax can serve as a mentor to Talib about how to serve time in prison after being convicted on weapons charges.
Also we have one player on the way to prison why not one on the way out.
June 6th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Darn you Thomas you stole my thunder.
I mean what’s ANOTHER thug on the team. I’m sure you can find someone of the Giants who’ll vouch for Plaxaco right? Look at the above posts by Patrick and Jorge….heck if it’ll help the team bring them in.
It’s sad how far the standards in this world have fallen – and not just in the NFL.
Do the Bucs need Plaxaco – NO, just like they don’t need Talib. let them BOTH find a home with the Cincy bungles.
June 6th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
I think the ‘standards’ in the NFL have risen. More is expected of the players both on and off the field. The things that players and teams got away with in the 1960-80s they just can’t get away with anymore.
I like the chemistry and WR talent we have on this team now and I see no reason to bring in a bad apple like Burress.
June 6th, 2011 at 7:45 pm
He would turn out to be a bigger cancer than Meshawn was. The Bucs will not go after him, but I bet they would encourage the rumor so that no one will guess their true plans.
And I disagree that we need a WR this year. We might not have a big time burner, but we have some really good WRs for a change.
Spurlock won’t be here more than one more year though. So next year we might go after one early in the draft…although I doubt it.
We have Williams at #1, Benn at #2 and Stroughter at #3…that’s going to be an awesome WR set in a year or so.
June 6th, 2011 at 8:05 pm
Sign Burress and we’re officially the Tampa Bay Thuganeers lol
June 6th, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Pete – I’m not that sold on Sammy Storougher as #3, especially the way Preston Parker came on last year. Plus is Brisco steps up there is LOTS of competition. I’m more concerned with the LB corps than anything on the offensive side of the ball.
June 6th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Yeah I agree Mr. Lucky, our linebacker corps is still weak. Keep Hayes and Black, just not as starters. They’re ok players, but we can do better. To play it safe, I think we need to bring Ruud back for at least one more year.
June 7th, 2011 at 3:30 am
quit bitcthin about…anything and everything concerning, publications, programs, networks..etc. that you are obvioulsly…well..whatever your whiny ass deal is. the Sports Reporters is a good solid show, and BSPN aint so bad either..go watch your Soprano re-runs and quit whining about what you obviously aspire to be,but can’t.. Have another beer(whatever it is your “sellin” out to0) at the Derby and have a blast. you’re know, you’re no better than the rest of the ‘commercial sellouts”,..just on a lot smaller scale. But keep writin’ the good Buc stuff and I’ll keep readin’ it…c’mon Joe..quit whining and complaining about “everyone else’ and do what you do best…report newsworthy Buc stuff. Go whatch some Soprano re-runs, and I’ll watch SC and the SR’s, when you’re done with the Soprano rruns..write some good buc stuff, and all is well
June 7th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
Tampa will not sign Burress, though him and Talib could compare firearms. Burress will go to Philly, where he and Michael Vick have something in common. He will be right at home in Philly, and may even give Andy Reid’s kids some pointers about doing time.
June 7th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Mr. Lucky- 100 % agree, and well said. Amazing how many people here have no moral center at all. Absolutely none. The end of western society is surely at hand.
June 7th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Capt, I have to agree with Stan on this one. The crazy stories of the old NFL were crazy, but at the time we did not have the huge mass media – 24 hour news that we have today. people have not changed all that much, we just get to hear all the dirt now.
June 7th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Plaxico Burress is a quality free agent that could really improve our receiving corp. I could care less about previous problems, Pittsburgh didn’t want to pay him what he was worth so he didn’t want to play for them, it was a bad fit. When playing for the Giants, if you are ten minutes early for a team meeting, you are considered late and sent to your room without supper. Some players can except these childish rules others insist on being treated like a man. This has unfortunately shorted the careers of some players (Tiki Barber) and caused others to leave. As far as the firearms charge, what he did is legal in all 50 states, only in New York City, Washington DC and Chicago is it not legal. Those laws have since been overturned by the Supreme Court of the USA. I wondered why he would accept a prison term in a country that not only guarantees his unalienable and God given right to bear arms but carved it into stone as the second most important right next to freedom of speech, right to assemble and freedom from religion.