Even if NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ultimately tears a new hole
to go along with the various other natural and bullet-created orifices
in the body of Plaxico Burress, Goodell’s decision to commence his
review of whether and to what extent Burress will be disciplined for
violating the personal conduct policy reflects fair and just treatment
of the player.
As we recently pointed out, the lack of a decision regarding a
potential suspension was impeding Plaxico’s ability to land with a new
team. And so the uncertainty over whether he would be suspended operates as a suspension in itself.
Assuming that a suspension is imposed (we’re guessing it’ll be
anywhere from four to six games), the next question becomes whether
Burress will land with a new team for training camp and the preseason
before exiting the locker room to serve his time.
On one hand, it might make sense for him to wait until the
suspension expires before signing with a new team, so that he can then
pick the best fit due to injuries and quarterback play and won-loss
record after a month or so of the season.
But receivers who join a new team without the benefit of preseason
preparation often have trouble making an impact. So the best move for
Burress could be to do everything he can to minimize the suspension,
sign with a new team, show up on time for meetings and practices and
generally bust his butt, appeal the suspension in the hopes of
shrinking it by a few games, and otherwise get himself ready to be a
high-end performer once his suspension has been served.
And, yeah, someone will want him. There are too many coaches and
General Managers who are keenly aware of the presence in the 2010 job
pool of four former NFL head coaches who won Super Bowl rings while
wearing a Motorola headset. And despite his various faults, Burress
can be a significant difference-maker on game day.
