Ex-Giants, Jets WR Plaxico Burress Likes Panthers, Waiting For 'Right Fit'
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Free agent Plaxico Burress has surfaced -- again.
Last month, talk of a landing spot for the former Giants and Jets wide receiver surrounded Miami, Oakland, Carolina and Cleveland. This week, Burress reiterated his interest in the Panthers.
"There's no doubt about it. I'm a Virginia Beach guy, born and raised," Burress, who praised Carolina stars Cam Newton and Steve Smith, told WFNZ radio in Charlotte. "I just think it's a great situation."
Burress previously expressed his attraction to the Panthers -- and Raiders -- during an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio in May.
The free agent stated this offseason that a reunion with the Giants was "always a great possibility." A quick shake of the head from New York coach Tom Coughlin put an end to that. In March, Burress declared he wouldn't "totally" rule out a return to the Jets and even said coach Rex Ryan wanted him back.
Going back further, Burress told Philadelphia's 97.5 FM in February that "nothing else" would make him "happier" than teaming up with Michael Vick and the Eagles.
As for the talk about Burress to the Browns? Cleveland coach Pat Shurmur said last month that he's not interested… yet. Even the Dolphins reportedly took a pass on working out the 34-year-old.
Burress fought the perception that there's little interest in his services.
"It's been there but it's just getting to the right fit," he told WFNZ. "I've been around and I understand the game from a mental standpoint, I'm very knowledgeable about the guys out there that are playing. I know what they do well and what they don't do well, and I just want to put myself in a position to go out and have success and to go out and make guys around me better, and obviously play with a quarterback who can really play the position.
"It's about me picking my spots and seeing where I'm a good fit."
Burress signed a one-year deal with the Jets last summer after serving nearly 21 months behind bars on a gun charge. He recorded 45 catches for 612 yards and eight touchdowns in 2011.
"I'm going to be better than that this year," said Burress. "Teams haven't seen me, what kind of shape I'm in, haven't seen me workout. And all I keep doing is going and going. I have my legs back and everybody is going to be in for a pleasant surprise when I hit the football field this year."
Do you think Burress and the Panthers are a good fit? Be heard in the comments below...
