Phil Simms believes Plaxico Burress will return as a Giant if he somehow avoids jail.
“If the court case goes great, he’ll be a member of the New York Giants,” Simms said.
Why is that?
“Because I think the players like him, and I think the organization likes him too,” Simms told The Post at a signing at Steiner Sports in New Rochelle before regaling patrons at a meet-and-greet at Mo’s New York Grill with the other two Giants Super Bowl MVPs, Ottis Anderson and Eli Manning.
“Guys make mistakes, but you realize down deep they got good hearts and they’re a good person, and I think that’s how everybody feels about Plaxico Burress,” Simms added. “I don’t know him. . . . I’m saying all this and judging it from what I read and just watching the body language when he plays football and how the players react to him. You can tell: They like him. That’s enough for me. And I have never had any New York Giant player – off the record or anything else – ever say anything to me, negative about Plaxico Burress.”
Manning, Burress’ teammate, agreed.
“Guys would like to have him back, hoping that he will get on the right track, and not be a distraction, and kinda have everything in order and ready to be a part of the team, and be there and do everything he can to help us win games,” Manning said.
In the meantime, T.J. Houshmandzadeh is a free agent.
“He is an interesting guy who just finds a way to get open, I think he’s got a great feel for finding lanes in the throwing zone,” Manning said.
New Jets linebacker Bart Scott?
“(Jets coach) Rex Ryan is a pretty straight talker, so when he said some of these things about Bart Scott, they must be true: That he’s a pretty good leader, he’s a good communicator, and he’s gonna be the quarterback of the Jets defense,” Simms said.
Simms is high on Ravens free agent safety Jim Leonhard.
“He’s . . . not around the pile – he’s creating the pile,” Simms said. “If I was a Jet fan I’d be rooting for him to get signed.”
The Redskins’ signing of Albert Haynesworth?
“I don’t know if he’s Reggie White, but he’s close,” Simms said, adding advice for Manning’s blockers. “Everybody on the line put on 10 pounds of muscle this offseason . . . good luck.”