Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Though he hasn’t been released from prison yet, wide receiver Plaxico Burress is already leaving an impression on the NFL.
On Saturday, Burress’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, joined the chorus of those saying the imprisoned wide receiver looks to be in good shape and could help an NFL team.
“[Burress] is doing great! He is running & lifting weights 5 days a week,” Rosenhaus tweeted after visiting Burress in jail. “He looks in terrific shape.”
Burress, who will be released from prison June 6, also has caught the attention of former New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers teammates.
Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who also has visited Burress, said last week he’d be happy to see the 6-foot-5 receiver back on the field.
“He looks great. He is lean; he is in good shape. He’s focused and he seems happy. I just can’t wait for him to come out and I think he is going to have a great impact a la Michael Vick,” Umenyiora said.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning has even gone so far as to say that reuniting with his once-favorite target “could be a good thing.”
Burress, 33, has not played in the league since accidentally shooting himself in the leg with an unlicensed handgun while at a night club on Nov. 28, 2008, but still hopes to return to the NFL.
“We talked at length about his future in the NFL & he…..can’t wait to get back on the football field in 2011,” Rosenhaus tweeted. “He is mentally & physically strong right now and is looking forward to the future!”
The Giants aren’t the only team with players rooting for a Burress comeback. Hines Ward, who was teammates with Burress in Pittsburgh from 2000 to 2005, said he’d welcome a Steelers reunion.
“I know he’s getting out pretty soon,” Ward said during Super Bowl XLV media day. “For all I know, we’ll end up getting Plax on our team. He’ll be welcomed with open arms. … [It was] an unfortunate incident, and I prayed for him a lot. I had some good years with Plax.”
ESPNNewYork.com’s Ohm Youngmisuk and Rich Cimini contributed to this report.
