Plaxico Burress is a Jet today and shot Giants fans in the heart for two undeniable reasons:
The Jets showed him the guaranteed money.
And they showed him Rex Ryan.
And very much in that order.
And yet, once the euphoria dies down in Jetville, remember there are no guarantees this gets the Jets their first championship in 43 years.
Listen to Broadway Joe Namath, who only made the most famous guarantee in sports history.
“The big question is two years away from the game, and he’s already played nine years — how can you guarantee something to the guy?” Namath told The Post.
The Post: So you wouldn’t have done that.
Namath: “No.”
The Post: You think it’s a gamble.
Namath: “Absolutely.”
Broadway No!
There is no doubt playing for Ryan was more appealing to Burress than playing again for Tom Coughlin.
But money talks louder than Ryan on his best day.
Guaranteed.
Money talks, Burress walks. Away from Coughlin and the Giants.
Given Burress’ undependable history, you can’t blame the Giants for making the offer they did — $1 million salary, $500,000 for being active every game, $2.5 million in performance bonuses — because you can always promise that you have grown up, but actions always speak louder than words or impressions.
Did he use the Giants? Did Eli Manning being oblivious to his Timex Performance Center visit mean anything?
“I was open-minded to everybody,” Burress said.
The Jets guaranteeing Burress $3,017,000 this season tells you this:
They were more desperate to replace Braylon Edwards than the Giants were to team him with Hakeem Nicks, even given Steve Smith’s iffy status.
And Burress gives the Jets more bang for their bucks — as they corner Antonio Cromartie — than the price they would have had to pay for Edwards.
And they continue to trust that Ryan could coach Hannibal Lecter if he was on the free-agent market.
“Rex can get along with anybody as long as they’re giving a sincere effort and trying their hardest,” Namath said.
He thought about the differences between Coughlin and Ryan and chuckled. “I think it’ll be a positive relationship, put it that way,” Namath said.
If Burress, at age 34, becomes a red-zone go-to guy for Mark Sanchez, gets the Jets over the AFC Championship hump and catches the game-winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl XLVI, then this contract will go down as the club’s best guarantee since Namath’s.
Big if, of course.
His body is rested, yes, and he will have a chip on his shoulder, yes. But before they start firing off a 17-gun salute outside the Atlantic HealthJets Training Center, the notion this No. 17 will be an upgrade over last year’s No. 17 — Edwards — is wishful thinking at this point.
Burress will need to chip off the rust. And he won’t block as well as Edwards. And he says he is OK with no longer being the go-to guy. Holmes is the go-to-guy. “We’re going to drive some defensive coordinators crazy,” Burress said.
Or Ryan.
“Great coach,” Burress said.
Who isn’t here, by the way, to kiss Coughlin’s Super Bowl ring.
All that said, Burress was a better option than Randy Moss. He’s a gamer, his teammates will like him, and he will be highly-motivated to land one last big contract.
Remember how he talked about winning a ring with each New York franchise? Well, here’s his chance. And good for him that he gets to stay with his family in Totowa. Asked if anyone from the Jets had given him a sales pitch, Burress said: “There was no sales pitch needed.”
Guaranteed.
“Great organization,” Burress said of the Jets.
I can give you three million and 17 reasons why.
Perhaps one day he will realize a great organization is one that is willing to give you a second shot even after you wreck a possible Super Bowl repeat.
Burress applauded Woody Johnson and Co. for being the first team to offer support during a trying time in his life in the spring of 2009.
“Great owner,” Burress said.
How about recognizing Steve Tisch for his friendship? How about recognizing John Mara for publicly declaring your release was long overdue months before they let you free?
Namath likes that Burress will be determined. Likes that he will be a big target for Sanchez drawing single coverage opposite Holmes. “But is that big target going to be there on Opening Day?” he asks. Shocking the Colts and the world was clearly more of a guarantee.
steve.serby@nypost.com