New York Giants Offseason Task No. 2: Plaxico Burress and Anquan Boldin

This is No. 2 in a running series of Giants offseason antics
Article One: Resigning and Releasing

I would like to thank everybody who read and commented on my first article, and I hope you enjoy this one all the same.

So, on to business as usual. I'm not going to rehash the entire Plaxico Burress incident but let me remind everybody that what Plaxico Burress did to the Giants this year was far worse than I had originally expected.

From the very first game of the season, I honestly expected Burress to have a blowout year. I thought the new deal would make him pleased, and hopefully allow him to play through the season without any ankle pain, something that bothered him a lot in 2007.

In the season opener, a Thursday night game against the Washington Redskins, Plax reeled in 11 catches for over 125 yards. After that, it was all downhill. Burress managed to grab some touchdowns here and there, a nice six catch game one week, but then three sub-par performances came after that.

Then of course, he decided to accidentally shoot himself in the leg. Stupid? Hell yes! I'm not going to make excuses for the guy, but lets back off and forget about it. We can't change anything, and neither can he.

The only thing Burress can change? How he responds after what the Giants decide to do with him...some possibilities are listed below.

1. The New York Giants Do Not Keep Plaxico Burress
This is where the article becomes a slight branch-off of sorts. If the Giants do not keep Burress and also do not make any major roster changes from now until the 2009 season, then we would essentially be stuck in a rut.

Though that case is highly unlikely, getting rid of Burress—something I would like to say I am strongly decide against—would decimate us. Possibly looking at an aging Toomer as our number one receiver. Domenik Hixon, a speedy but unreliable wide out, would be flanking him. With Steve Smith, the young stud from USC, in the slot.

I would be as uncomfortable as I have ever been.

Thankfully, it will never happen. I believe if we don't keep Plaxico, it will not come in the form of dropping him. We would lose a small amount of money, though recover a large amount of his bonus, it would be much more worth it to trade Burress for draft picks. Sounds crazy? Someone is always willing to take a 6' 6" receiver.

2. Who Could The Giants Use to Replace Plax?

In two words:   Anquan Boldin

The Giants currently have a total of nine draft picks. A full count of seven that we were allocated, and then a second rounder and a fifth rounder from New Orleans.

So, you're saying we could trade our first rounder and a second rounder for Anquan Boldin?

Well, it gets a little tricky here. Not many people know, but the Saints currently have a previous deal with the New York Jets. If Jonathan Vilma, former Pro Bowl linebacker, is resigned by New Orleans, than their second round pick would go to the Jets instead.

Well, how would the Giants get their pick then?!

No need to worry, the Giants pick would be upgraded to a first round pick in 2010. Which could flip-flop a lot of things, but all in all I don't know what the G-Men would do with it.

But know this my good friend. Jerry Reese is ready to make a splash. We all know he doesn't like to surrender draft picks, but I honestly feel like the Giants are going to make a huge push for "Q". Something we should ALL be happy with.

Written By Travis Rand, NYG, and NFL Bleacher Reporter
Travis' Archive can be found here