Giants Are Open to Bringing Plaxico Burress Back in 2009

On Tuesday, the New York Giants washed their hands of Plaxico Burress and his peg leg for the rest of the season by placing him on the non-football injury list.

Burress, who caught the Super Bowl-winning touchdown pass last February, shot himself in the leg six days ago, and could be facing prison time for illegally carrying a concealed weapon. In fact, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is warming up his throwing arm.

Although the Giants are done with Burress for 2008, there's still a chance he could be back in New York next season.

On Wednesday, [Giants general manager Jerry] Reese, who helped engineer last season's Super Bowl run, said that if Burress survived a blizzard of legal issues, he could be a Giant in 2009. "Provided he plays by Giants rules," Reese said.

Without going into detail, Reese said the Giants' front office was on the same page about Burress's possible future with the Giants - namely that he had one - provided he was not in jail and provided he had a 180-degree attitude adjustment.

"Giants rules" are probably something Burress won't be down with since, you know, in three-plus years in New York the club's fined him some 40-50 times, and already suspended him earlier this season.

I suppose he could have a Pacman-like born-again experience, but that didn't exactly go off without a hitch. And there's always the concern that even if Plax escapes the justice system, he'll still have to face the wrath of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Whatever happens, the Giants should be fine. Burress has been less than 100 percent all season, and the team is 11-1. Having a legitimate deep threat would be nice, but offensive balance is better. Right, Jeremy Shockey?