Plaxico Burress Rumors: Plax Leaving Door Open To Giants

Plaxico Burress reuniting with the New York Giants? That may have almost no realistic chance of happening this offseason, but in the wake of Burress' glowing comments about Giants coach Tom Coughlin and his willingness to return to the Giants you have to give Burress 'Kudos' for showing he knows how to play the free agent game.

Speaking Tuesday on The Sirius Blitz on SiriusXM NFL Radio Burress called Coughlin a "great coach" and said there was a "great possibility" he would return to the Giants.

More likely, there is a great possibility Burress is throwing around the Giants as a possibility to increase his bargaining leverage with the Giants' NFC East rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. Burress has said repeatedly of late that he would love to play for the Eagles. He was also quoted recently saying that he turned down the Giants a year ago -- which is another dubious statement that has to be looked at as Burress' own version of events.

Yes, the Giants are likely to lose wide receiver Mario Manningham to free agency. And yes, if he is asked, Giants general manager Jerry Reese is likely to say something that would indicate he would investigate a Burress return. Reality is, though, that the Giants are the defending Super Bowl champions and don't need the baggage, or the sideshow, Burress would bring.

Even if the Giants lose Manningham, they have Ramses Barden, Jerrel Jernigan and Domenik Hixon. Former Giant Steve Smith is also likely to be a free agent, and there have been whispers about a possible return to New York by the team's single-season record-holder for receptions.