Burress to Jets?

Path may clearing for Burress to become a Jet

June 15, 2009 7:11 AM

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Free-agent receiver Plaxico Burress is being marketed around the NFL as completely available for every game this season.

The New York Jets are said to be listening.

Burress' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Fox affiliate WSVN in Miami he's optimistic the former New York Giants star "will be able to play unobstructed" this year.

The expectation from Burress' support team is that he won't stand trial for felony gun charges until after the season and that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will wait that long to issue any suspension.

"We are hopeful that the commissioner will not suspend Plax," Rosenhaus said Sunday night. "He's already been suspended by the Giants last year, five games. Since there hasn't been a resolution in the case, there's really no reason to suspend him."

Burress accidentally shot himself with a Glock semiautomatic pistol at a Manhattan nightclub in November. He was arraigned on counts of second-degree criminal possession of a loaded gun and an unlicensed weapon. There's a mandatory minimum sentence of 3½ years.

Burress is scheduled to appear in court Monday, but defense attorney Benjamin Brafman told the New York Daily News over the weekend that the case almost certainly will be delayed.

"In talking to Plax's attorney, his feeling is that a trial is not going to take place until after the season," Rosenhaus said. "He believes that after all these delays -- again, Plax hasn't been indicted yet, either -- it's going to be a very lengthy process to get to trial, and that will take place after the season.

"Our hope is, based on this information, that he will be able to play unobstructed this year, without having a trial, and he can get a season in and then deal with the legal issues after the season.

"This is the hope, and this what I'm communicating to the rest of the NFL teams."

The Jets need a No. 1 receiver and have been in contact with Rosenhaus about Burress' availability. Other than Jerricho Cotchery, they don't have any proven receivers, let alone one of Burress' ability. He's a dynamic 6-foot-5 target with 505 receptions and 55 touchdowns in his nine-year career.

"I'd open my arms wide if he's able to come here," Jets cornerback Lito Sheppard told the New York Daily News. "I think the rest of the team would, too. That's a special talent. I only see upside if we're able to get him. That could definitely put us a lot closer to our goal."

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears are other teams that have been linked to him. Rosenhaus previously said the Miami Dolphins (another team in need of a receiving threat) have not been interested in Burress.