Well, here we are in Week 16 and the Burress signing has not quite been the coup d’etat the Jets has hoped.  He has 8 TDs, but three of them came in one game. He has not caught more than five balls in a single game and the 79 yards he gained vs Buffalo on Nov 6 is his season high.

Let us mention that he’s only caught four passes for 42 yards in the last three games. He has become a quiet backstory in this important game between two crosstown rivals that are both in need of a win.

“We know a lot about Plaxico,” said Tom Coughlin. “He knows a lot about us. We know the way people prefer to utilize his talents and his ability. He is also a good blocker.” Translation: he’s not what he once was.

Giants’ DC Perry Fewell still sees Plaxico as a major threat:

“They’re the number one red zone offense in the league and he’s a big part of that. He’s a big target and the guy is good. He’s a good football player….He made the touchdown catch last week against the Eagles. That was a phenomenal one-handed catch that he kept himself inbounds. I think he just has a feel. He knows how to play the game. That’s veteran experience.”

The Jets aren’t really talking Plaxico much. Head coach Rex Ryan puts a positive spin on Burress’ comeback season, but he’s not doing cartwheels over his performance.

“When you look at it, he has eight touchdown catches. I think that’s outstanding,” said Ryan. “I’m waiting for him to hit number 11, so I can sit back and say, “All he does is catch touchdowns,” which was a great quote. He has been great. There is no question. Would we have liked to get him more passes and all that kind of stuff? Absolutely, but I think right now, with those two guys Plax and Holmes outside, it has to make people nervous.”

It appears to be making the Jets nervous. Four catches in three games? He was more productive in prison. Ryan would not comment if the Jets would entertain bringing Burress back next season or signing him to a long-term deal. All he would say is that Burress has been a leader and good soldier and that he was pleased the team brought him in.

When asked of Burress was up more for this game as opposed to other games, Ryan said, “You would never know…every week he’s the same way. He’s level-headed and he hits the field with a purpose. He tries to get better each day. He practices hard. He’s a great teammate, so that’s what I’ve seen this week also.”

Burress is still dangerous when utilized properly. He is a far cry, though, from the player who caught the winning TD in Super Bowl XLII.  He is still as low-key as ever as indicated in the clip below…

Here is a clip from Geico SportsNite featuring Plaxico:

Plaxico Burress caught only four passes for 25 yards today in the Jets’ victory over the San Diego Chargers, but three of them were in the paint, where he does his best work.

Many teams try to single cover the 6’5″ Burress down low, a mistake that continues to cost teams dearly. Three years ago, the New England Patriots thought they could handle Plax one-one-one and their 18-0 season turned into 18-1 in a hurry.  It is not sound defense.

Today, the Jets finally realized Burress’ worth by getting him the ball in the end zone, where he is most deadly. The Chargers could not cover him, and QB Mark Sanchez – who was harassed into missing targets all day – was afforded enough time to find Burress three times when it counted.  That is sound offense.

The TDs were for 3,4 and 3 yards, but they may as well have been for long yardage. When you have that kind of a mismatch, you have to take full advantage. If they are going to have any success this year, they must continue to utilize their Plaxico advantage.

One wonders why they haven’t more often. As Giant fans can tell you – it works.  When he is on his game, we forget what a difference maker he can be, like he was today. But there is always that volatile aspect about him, about how he can also blow up your team through his actions, as we know all too well.

If he is, that would explain his statements in a recent article in Men’s Journal.

The Giants? They’ve just moved on. It’s called maturity. Something Plaxico does not possess, apparently.

When Tom Coughlin was asked yesterday about the article, he took the high road:

“I am not really all that concerned. I’m sure it was some not so grandiose statements but I don’t know anything about that. I really am not interested in it, either.”

Giants’ CEO John Mara is over Plaxico as well: “I don’t have anything to say about that. The remarks speak for themselves.”

Plaxico Burress never shuts up.

The NY Giant fans loved Plaxico for everything he did en route to winning the SuperBowl.   The NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers was a complete domination by a wide receiver.  He was a one man band who took the team on his back and won the game against all odds.  It was the single best game I had ever seen a wide receiver have.

We even understand his frustration with Coughlin because the record shows that Coach Coughlin is a tough man to work for; however, wouldn’t it be great if he just could keep quiet 3 years later.   He could easily show the world how happy he is by just playing for the New York Jets and winning.  Take the high road for just once.

At this point he sounds like the jilted girlfriend.

• The Giants don’t want to pay me millions for playing 10 games an not practicing with teammates week in and week out.
• The Giants don’t want to pay me while I am an insubordinate employee.
• The Giants don’t want to support me when I get in trouble for breaking the law.

Give it a rest.

His recent interview has Burress taking another shot at Coughlin and an unexpected shot at Eli Manning.  Now he doesn’t want to get yelled at when he doesn’t listen or decides his own personal gain is more important than the teams.

He’s anger and self hate have made it’s way to Eli Manning for not coming to see him while he was incarcerated.

Really?  Then the “unappreciative” wide receiver took a shot at the fans.

“What are you doing now?” Burress said about the fans that criticized him. “You still mad at your job? You still angry about your life? ‘Cause I’m back living my life and enjoying my family while you’re still doing the same thing.” – Men’s Journal

Plaxico should probably concentrate more on staying healthy and performing on the field for the New York Jets and less time flapping his gums.

Plaxico Burress came home last night.  Sure, he’s already played a game in this new stadium but this game vs the Giants was his real homecoming.

The visiting Jets are featuring Plaxico in their retooled passing game. They came into the game vs the Giants with the intention of sending the 6″5″ receiver into the Giants’ battered secondary with the hopes of having an explosive result. They even sent Burress out to handle the coin flip before the game…

The Giants, as fond as they are of Plaxico, were not about to let him beat them. Jets’ QB Mark Sanchez targeted Burress four times, but could not make a connection.  The Giants had thwarted their former teammate and averted further embarrassment on a disappointing night in post-Irene New Jersey.

“Myself and Corey [Webster] are really good friends with Plaxico, but when we get on the field it’s time to go to business,” said Giants’ CB Aaron Ross. “He didn’t get too many balls thrown his way this time, but I am pretty sure that as the season goes on him and Sanchez will get on the same page and start to make plays together.”

Ross credits the coaches for their game plan….”He’s just a great player. I know he still has it in him, he showed it in his first preseason game. Like I said, our coaches did a great job in calling the right defense for us to keep the ball out of his hands.”

A residual effect of the Giants’ effort to shut down Plaxico was the surrendering of a red zone TD to Santonio Holmes. That will happen, especially since the secondary is still acclimating to the flex role of Pro Bowl safety Antrel Rolle, who is alternating between his regular duties and as slot CB.

“It’s my first week at it. It’s going to take a little while to get comfortable at it,” Rolle said after the game. “Nickel is nothing new to my game. I’ve been playing it pretty much my entire career. Just to get back in the groove and the feel of things and understand my assignments and adjustments and make sure I’m on the same page as my team. I’ll be good.”

Read Plaxico’s postgame comments below from the Jets’ official website…

On how it felt to play against his former teammates…

It felt good. It felt good to see some of the guys, and coaches and different things. It was just pretty good to see everybody and shake their hands and have some good laughs and memories and things like that.

On what his emotions were during the coin toss, as one of the game’s captains…

Not to lose the toss, but that didn’t happen [laughing]. We lost that one, but we pretty much got what we wanted. The defense got to go out and get a stop. Our goal was to go out and score on the first drive on offense, but we didn’t do that. My goal was to not to lose the toss, so it didn’t start off the way I wanted, but it felt good for Rex [Ryan] to choose me as a captain, to go out there by myself and represent this team and the organization. That was definitely a good feeling and I enjoyed it.

On what it was like to see his former teammates and getting to speak to Giants owner John Mara…

I saw those guys a few weeks ago. It’s just good to get out there, and see some of them before warmups and everybody’s supporting me, wanting me to do well, and wishing me good luck. So I mean, it’s a good feeling. It’s just good to have their support, and like I said, we did some great things while I was over there, and it’s just good that everybody’s supporting me and wishing me well.

On if he spoke to Giants QB Eli Manning prior to the game…

I actually ran into Eli the other day at the movies, coming out. I was going to see the Smurfs. I was with my family though, so I’ve got an excuse [laughing]. It was him and Shaun O’Hara, but I did get the chance to see them, I believe it was Saturday. We talked for a little while, but it was good for me and him to have some good laughs out there on the field after the game, and we joked around a little bit. He’s a phenomenal, talented quarterback. He’s going to do whatever, sky’s the limit. I think that he’s going to keep getting better and better as time goes on.

Don’t listen to all this jive about Plaxico Burress dissing the Giants for the Jets. It’s not true. Had the Giants offered him more money, he’d be wearing blue today instead of green.

After serving two-and-a-half years in prison, Burress wanted to come home. That meant New Jersey. Once that happened, he needed to find a job near that home. That narrowed it down to two options: the Giants and the Jets. The Jets offered more money and he accepted.

End of story.

Now, he is justifying that decision by claiming he wanted a fresh start. We understand that. What if the Giants had outbid the Jets and added option years to the deal? That fresh start tune would have a comeback flavor to it.

I disagree. Manning is still in his prime and has the talent to take the Giants back to the Super Bowl. (And yes, I realize the same can be said for plenty of other players and teams around the league.) Burress, I believe, will have a big year for the Jets (assuming he’s healthy), and who knows where that will lead.

How does Plaxico Burress help your offense? Let me count the ways….he catches everything, cannot be single-covered and blocks like a TE. He is a quarterback’s best friend.

In the lanky WR’s first game since shooting himself in the leg in November 2008, he’s playing like he never left the game. In the pouring rain at NMS tonight, Burress hauled in three Mark Sanchez passes for a total of 66 yards in the first half.

The final grab was a fade in the left corner of the end zone for a 26-yard TD….it looked similar to the play Burress made to seal the Giants’ victory in Super Bowl XLII.  Jet fans are learning what Giant fans already knew: this guy is unique….

With Steve Smith gone, the Giants really could have used Burress. Especially now that the WRs are not having a particularly good camp. After Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham, the Giants will be looking at Domenik Hixon, who is coming off knee surgery and Devin Thomas who is dealing with a broken finger…neither Victor Cruz or Duke Calhoun have distinguished themselves after looking so promising only a year ago.

Suddenly the depth at wideout doesn’t have the appeal it once did. Now, with no tight end, Giant fans aren’t reaching for the Kool Aid like they did in the past.

Today, in his first presser of the year, he commented on playing the Giants on Christmas Eve….

That one is going to be a special game. Oh, it’s just going to be another game. No, it’s not. We all know what that game stands for. That one is one you’re going to get your tickets for early. That one is going to be a beauty.

Ryan also revealed the Jets’ process in signing Plaxico Burress…READ

“His decision was to go elsewhere,” Coughlin said. “Sounded like a bigger guarantee, I don’t know all the facts about that.”

It makes sense to us now. Plaxico chose to shop his services to the two organizations that he knew best; the Steelers and the Giants. He wanted that familiarity, but he wanted to get paid in process.

Burress didn’t want to leave NJ if possible. The Giants made him an offer, but the Jets bettered it. After almost 3 years of no income to speak of, the money did the talking…

Read Zach’s article