Plaxico Burress: Jets WR Will Be More Important Than We Ever Imagined

We learned a lot things in the New York Jets - Dallas Cowboys game last night.

For starters, the Cowboys could be a very good football team this year. However, Tony Romo is still Tony Romo. The 31-year old can certainly put up statistics, but he can also lose games as well as any other quarterback in the league.

As for Gang Green, they simply cannot run the football.

In fact, if I were to tell you that the Jets would run the ball ten times less than the Cowboys and still win you'd probably think I'm crazy.

And if I were to tell you that Mark Sanchez would throw the ball 44 times and the Jets would still win you might have me committed.

Yet, that is what took place last night. Granted, the Jets needed a blocked punt to make it happen, but it is evident that things are different for Rex Ryan's Jets.

Of Sanchez's 44 pass attempts, nine of them were directed at new receiver Plaxico Burress.

The former New York Giant responded with four catches, 72 yards and one touchdown.

It was Burress' first regular season action since 2008 with Big Blue, and his nine targets were second on the team to Santonio Holmes' 10.

Sanchez actually did a good job of spreading the football around and completed 26 passes to seven different receivers. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson and Holmes led the team with six catches each, tight end Dustin Keller had five and veteran Derrick Mason also added three.

But it wasn't just Burress' strong performance that indicates how important he will be to this team.

No, it was the Jets' terrible performance running the football that indicates he'll be more than just a red zone target.

New York only put the ball on the ground 16 times and averaged a measly 2.8 yards per carry.

Their philosophy in recent seasons has been "ground and pound" to help open things up for Sanchez down the field.

Last night's performance suggested everything but.

It was good to see Ryan and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer let Sanchez test himself, and it goes to show that Burress' presence will become even greater as the season goes on.

During his days with Eli Manning, Burress was the quarterback's safety net. At 6'5", with ridiculous athleticism and a knack for making the difficult catch, he would be anyone's safety net.

Sanchez already has a great relationship with Holmes on the field. If the Jets need to throw the ball 35-40 times a game this season to get wins then Burress is the perfect compliment on the other side.

Should pressure force Sanchez to throw early, late or off balance - the Cowboys had four sacks and six QB hits last night - there is no better target in the league to throw to than Burress.

The Jets might get their ground game back on track, but if that doesn't happen, Plaxico Burress will become this team's most valuable player.