Ex-Giant Discussed as Sanchez arrives
Apr 27th, 2009 | By Pete Dymeck | Category: NewsThe Jets added a big gun in quarterback Mark Sanchez this weekend. Now they’re looking a player with a big gun problem.
The team has talked to the agent for former Giants receiver Plaxico Burress, though no signing is imminent.
A source familiar with the discussions said the team “kicked the tires,” but that’s as far as it has gone.
“Consistent with our normal approach of performing our due diligence, we contacted (agent) Drew Rosenhaus several days ago prior to the draft to inquire about Plaxico’s pending legal situation,” Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said in a statement. “However, we have had no discussions with Drew about Plaxico since that time.”
The Jets issued the statement after ESPN reported the team has been talking internally about signing the troubled wideout, whom the Giants cut earlier this month. Any signing would have to wait for Burress’ legal situation to clear up. Rosenhaus told ESPN on Saturday that “three or four” teams have told him they have interest in Burress.
The Super Bowl XLII star has a court appearance on June 15 in Manhattan to face two criminal counts of carrying a loaded and unlicensed firearm to a club last fall. He’s facing the possibility of 3½ to 15 years in prison, plus a possible suspension from the NFL after accidentally shooting himself in the leg.
The move would be shocking for the Jets, who would face a barrage of negative publicity. The team desperately needs receiver help after the departure of Laveranues Coles this winter as a free agent.
The news came after the end of the draft yesterday when the Jets failed to address their need at wide receiver.
New quarterback Mark Sanchez chuckled when asked about the idea of throwing to Burress next season.
Sanchez got an introduction to life in New York while having dinner last night at Lusardi’s on the Upper East Side. After eating, The Post quizzed Sanchez on whether he’d like to have Burress as a target next year.
“I mean, I just got here,” Sanchez told The Post after having dinner at Lusardi’s on the Upper East Side. “I haven’t done anything on the field, so I’m gonna leave that up to Rex and Mr. Tannenbaum.”
Sanchez arrived yesterday morning after flying overnight from Los Angeles with his family. He was formally introduced at an afternoon press conference at the team’s facility in Florham Park, getting the honeymoon officially under way.
A day after trading their first- and second-round picks along with three players, the Jets were beaming over their big-ticket acquisition.
“You can see that this is somebody special,” team owner Woody Johnson said.
The former USC star joins the Jets with huge expectations resting on his 22-year-old shoulders. The team’s long-suffering fan base has been down this road before. Sanchez will compete for the starting job immediately with Kellen Clemens, and he is not shying away from the challenge.
“At (Southern Cal) they put a lot of emphasis on the quarterbacks with Heisman Trophy winners, All-Americans, national champions,” Sanchez said. “They want results, just like the fans here, just like the press here. That’s what I’m prepared to work for.”
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