Why Titans Should Pass on Plaxico Burress
Former Steelers then Giants WR Plaxico Burress was released from jail today, after serving 22 months. He is now a free agent.
Burress was 6’5″ and 232 lbs when he last played and he will be 34 when the season starts.
Continue Reading to find out why Burress is a bad idea for the Titans.
Let’s take a quick look at stats:
From age 23-27, Burress played with the Pittsburgh Steelers and he averaged 52.2 receptions, 832.8 yards, 4.4 TD’s and 1 fumble per year. These numbers were above average considering that the Steelers primarily ran the ball. The numbers were also over the 71 games he played in, starting 66.
From age 28-31, Burress played for the New York Football Giants (maybe the football part is so as to not be confused with the MLB’s San Francisco Giants?).Anyway, Burress averaged 61 receptions, 920.25 yards, 8 touchdowns and didn’t fumble the last two seasons after fumbling three times in his first two with the Giants. Buress clearly got better.
A few big things to note are that Burress hit 10 TD’s then 12 TD’s before his ‘injury’ in 2008 when he only had 4 TD’s in
One more stat on Buress:
Yards per reception with Steelers–>15.95 per year
Giants–>15.08 per year
He dropped but it was still great.
Titans WR’s Under Contracts (Base Salaries)
WR Kenny Britt:
2011–>575,000
2012–>755,000
2013–>1,122,500
21014–>Free Agent
WR Yamon Figurs
2011–>signed an unknown reserve/future contract
WR Justin Gage
2011–>3.5 million
2012–>Free Agent
WR Lavelle Hawkins
2011–>555,000
2012–>Free Agent
WR Marc Mariani
2011–>405,000
2012–>490,000
2013–>575,000
2014–>Free Agent
WR Randy Moss
2011–>Free Agent
WR Nate Washington
2011–>3.3 million
2012–>3.4 million
2013–>4.2 million
2014–>4.8 million
2015–>Free Agent
In case you’re wondering, Washington was guaranteed 9 million dollars.
WR Damian Williams
2011–>405,000
2012–>490,00
2013–>575,000
2014–>Free Agent
The first problem we have noticed is that Nate Washington is making far too much money, otherwise there would be plenty of cap room for Burress, in the event they did decide to bring him to the team.
Here is why I believe that Burress would be a bad decision: the youth movement at the position. The Titans have what could be a special wide receiver corps. If they were to let Damian Williams play on the outside more and work Marc Mariani into the slot position, they could save money and and more than likely add production. I say keep Justin Gage for this season even though he is seeming to be burnt out. He can add great depth if he doesn’t start and it is only one more season. Nate Washington could get cut any day now. His pay far exceeds the production.
Now, the only question is how bad did Randy Moss burn the Titans?
What do you think?