On March 31st, I wrote about potential replacements for Plaxico Burress:
With Burress’ court date pushed back to June 15th (the day before mandatory mini-camps) it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that Plax won’t suit up for the Giants on Week 1. He might not suit up at all. One NFL source told Newsday that:
“It’s tough to see him playing anytime soon, maybe not this year at all.I just don’t see any quick resolution”
With that in mind, who can replace Plax? It’s hard to do. Not many have his height and speed combination. He commands double teams. He makes Eli Manning a better QB. The Giants need someone who can replace that production and value if they want to compete for a Super Bowl. Who can replace him? Let’s see:
Braylon Edwards, Cleveland
There were failed trade talks earlier in the month. Could they heat up again? Perhaps. But the Donte’ Stallworth situation might make the Browns reluctant to trade their top receiver. I don’t see it happening.
Anquan Boldin, Arizona
This is more possible. Boldin seems to be unhappy in the Desert. The Giants would only have to give up draft picks to the NFC Champions. Are the Cards willing to trade one of their top players to a team that is challenging them for NFC supremacy? I don’t know. I think that, if a deal were to happen, it would happen around the time the Shockey deal happened-after the draft.
Kenny Britt, Rutgers
We here at GiantsGab love Kenny Britt. His size and speed combination has all of us salivating. Can he contribute now? Can he step in and be the number one guy? I’m not sure. I think he will be a number one target, but it might not happen this year. The Giants need someone who can contribute now.
Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
I know you’re reading this and thinking, “Man, this guy is crazy!” Well here me out. The Giants have 10 draft picks, including 5 in the first 100. The Giants don’t really need all 10 picks. Could they package a 1st rounder, both second rounders, and a future 1st rounder to, say, Seattle for Crabtree? I don’t know. I don’t think it will happen. But it’s surely possible.
Percy Harvin, Florida
A Reggie Bush 2.0. He can electrify, but can he stay healthy? Can he stand the grind of a NFL season? All questions that remain to be seen.
Personally, I would love to see Boldin in Blue. He comes in as a number 1. Eli will love throwing to him. You can then draft Britt and develop him, and now you have two number one guys. Not bad.”
Do things change now that Plax will never be back? Probably not. Maybe, if they trade for someone, they’d be more willing to give a contract extentention. But I will say this. Finding a replacement for Plax will most likely make or break Jerry Reese’s tenure.
Do you think that Reese may have made a tactical error here in cutting Plax too soon? I mean why not use the situation to the NYG advantage and hold on to Plax, then cut him after the WR situation is settled. He could have even been used as trade bait somehow. To get nothing for him seems kind of strange and un-Reese like to me. Now that teams know that the Giants definitely NEED a #1 WR, the price has gone WAY up. I’m hoping that Reese has something in mind that we don’t even realize. He usually does. If not, then he is going to be raked over the coals by the other teams who know that with the right player, this 1 position could mean another NYG superbowl victory.
Redskins will win teh division this year! With Plax and TO gone nothing stops my skins
HAIL!!