Releasing Plaxico Burress: How The Giants Can Fill The Void

(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

We all saw what happened in the playoffs last year. The Giants could move the ball between the '20s, but when it got to the red zone the Giants could not do very much. Being a smash mouth team is a good thing, but when people are stacking the box expecting run, it's not much use.

Without Plaxico there was no red zone threat, no 6' 5" target that could catch the ball at its highest point which made it impossible for the defensive back to make a play. That was the reason for the loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Going forward, the loss of Plaxico Burress will hurt the Giants offense. Without Plaxico Burress, teams will stack the line against the run. Without Plaxico Burress, Eli Manning can no longer be the same quarterback. Before, Eli could throw a ball in the vicinity of Plaxico and trust in Plaxico to make a play.

This was especially true in Giants stadium. The notorious swirling winds made Eli's passes float and become prime targets for defensive backs. With Plaxico, the swirling winds did not matter as much because Eli did not have to throw with great accuracy. However, as shown in the playoff game, without that accuracy, Eli is a mediocre quarterback.

Regardless of the evidence, the Giants did the right thing in releasing Plaxico Burress.

First, the Giants are one of those model franchises in the NFL. Along with teams like the Steelers, the Giants represent a model of respectability and integrity for every team to follow. The Giants could no longer hold that position if they let Plaxico Burress stay on the team. If they had, they lose their respectability as a franchise.

Letting Plaxico would set a horrible precedent for the New York Giants. The Giants become an organization run by the star players of the team instead of the coaches, the management, and the owner. Teams run by star players do want bring home championships, just headlines.

That does not mean that the Giants are stronger today than they were last year on the offensive side of the football. The have helped to remedy that situation by strengthening a strength. In signing Chris Canty, Michael Boley, and Rocky Bernard, they strengthen that defense by getting more playmakers. With the return of Osi Umenyiora, the Gaints will have that depth on the defensive line that led them to a championship. Last year, the lack of depth led to Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka wearing down by the end of the season. Do not expect that to happen this year.

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