The Giants remain circumspect about bringing back Plaxico Burress, but Michael Strahan says it’s a no-brainer.
Strahan yesterday said he fails to see why the team would pass on Burress if the 33-year-old wide receiver is released as scheduled from a New York state prison in June after serving 21 months on a weapons charge. Asked if he would re-sign his former teammate if he were running the Giants, Strahan said: “If he got out at 4 o’clock, he’d be a Giant by 4:05.”
Speaking at a charity event at Chelsea Piers, Strahan, 39, said Michael Vick’s successful comeback from a nearly two-year sentence for dogfighting should pave the way for a smooth Burress return.
“The best thing that happened to Plaxico was Michael Vick,” the retired Giants defensive end and current FOX Sports NFL pregame host said. “It showed that you did something, you serve your time and that you come out and play and there’s redemption in it.
“Plaxico injured himself, so there would probably be a lot more leeway with him than there was with Michael Vick,” Strahan added. “If you can forgive [Vick], then you have to forgive Plaxico.”
And Burress is a natural fit to come back to the Giants for several reasons, Strahan said, despite the depth team general manager Jerry Reese built at wide receiver in Burress’ absence.
Any doubters — including Reese or coach Tom Coughlin — should just think back to Burress’ contribution to the Giants’ magical 2008 Super Bowl run, Strahan added.
“He was Eli’s safety blanket,” Strahan said. “Without that combination, we don’t beat the Packers in cold Lambeau, we don’t win the Super Bowl without those two guys playing the way they did together.
“Plaxico’s not a bad guy,” added Strahan. “He just made a bad decision, a dumb decision which cost him two years. I think he’ll be back, hopefully with the Giants. But whoever gets him, he’ll be an asset.”
Strahan also said another former teammate, the newly unretired Tiki Barber, also will be an asset should a team take a chance on the 36-year-old running back.
“He wasn’t on the decline when he retired,” Strahan said. “He’s a worker who will bust his butt. I think he can do it. I think he has a few years left in him.”
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Giants wideout Steve Smith, taking part in the same charity event, said he likely won’t be able to run for the first time after microfracture knee surgery until the end of May.
Smith, who had the risky surgery in December, is still able to consult with team doctors during his rehab — despite the lockout’s other restrictions — and remains upbeat about being available by the start of the regular season if the labor stoppage doesn’t interfere.
Smith is a free agent, but whether he will be an unrestricted free agent or a restricted free agent depends on the outcome of the labor talks.