Moments after Plaxico Burress' case was adjourned until September, his agent Drew Rosenhaus was burning a hole through his Twitter page to inform everyone that Burress would be available to play the 2009 season. His reasoning is that Roger Goodell can't suspend Burress until after he's been convicted of something, and that Burress' trial won't be over until after the season.
That news surely perked up some ears around the Jets. Burress would fit their offensive needs quite nicely, although Rosenhaus' guarantee of no suspension isn't something that should serve as the basis for your team's future. The Jets, however, might not need to let Burress' case work itself out to gamble on a top receiver.
Broncos wideout Brandon Marshall has asked for a trade, according to Adam Schefter. The current NFL Network/future ESPN reporter said during a radio interview on Monday that Marshall, unhappy about his contract, asked Broncos owner Pat Bowlen for a trade. If that sounds familiar, it is because Jay Cutler played the same cards on his way out of Denver earlier this offseason.
That's two very talented wide receivers with a lot of baggage who could be available to the Jets before the start of the 2009 season. Would they roll the dice?
They very well might. Rex Ryan isn't the type of coach who is going to be put off by a player who has had issues in their past, nor is the team averse to making risky moves in hopes of getting the team better. Marshall may be a likelier route for them to explore than Plax. Marshall is younger, and it wouldn't be a one-year move with fingers crossed that another shoe is about to drop with a conviction or suspension. With a rookie quarterback, that's appealing.
Josh Alper is a writer living in New York City and is a contributor to FanHouse.com and ProFootballTalk.com in addition to his duties for NBCNewYork.com.
