Plaxico Burress will join the New York Jets on a one-year, $3 million contract. That really is not news that many New York Giants fans, who had been hoping — and clamoring — for a return to the Giants by the one-time star wide receiver wanted to hear.

It really won’t be enjoyable to see Burress lined up on the other side of the field when the Jets and Giants meet this season, in both the preseason and regular season. Shoot, it would not have been fun to see him lined up wearing Philadelphia Eagles colors, either.

Thing is, as much as I know many Giants fans still think of Burress as the superstar wide receiver who caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Eli Manning in Super Bowl 42, and thought Burress to the Giants would cancel out Philly’s signing of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, I maintain that it is better this way. For both sides.

For Burress, after approximately two years in prison, he can resume his career without the circus astmosphere that would surround a return to the Giants — and without the constant interest in his relationship with Giants coach Tom Coughlin. For the Giants, they can finally move on without the spectre of a potential Burress return hanging over the franchise — and especially the talented young group of wide receivers the Giants have assembled in the seasons since Burress went to prison after shooting himself in the leg with an unregistered handgun while out at a Manhattan nightclub.

No, the Giants have not made the playoffs in the two years Burress did not play in the NFL. That, however, is not the fault of the Giants wide receivers. Hakeem Nicks is a star in the making, as is Mario Manningham. Steve Smith, who should eventually re-sign with the Giants, is the only receiver in franchise history to catch 100 passes, and is one of the most sure-handed receivers and best route-runners in the business. Behind them, the Giants have a plethora of other young, talented pass-catchers.

There is no guaranteeing that Burress, 34 when the season begins, can still be an impact player. He has not played in 21/2 seasons. Also, prison is not place to work out for football. There is simply no telling how much of Burress’ formerly formidable skill remains. The expectations with the Giants would have been that he would be what he used to be, and I’m not sure that would be fair to him or the Giants. With the Jets he can contribute as a third wide receiver or a guy who splits time with Jerricho Cotchery, and he won’t be expected to star.

I wish Burress well. And part of me wishes he had landed someplace like St. Louis or Houston — where he would be out of the daily sight of Giants fans — rather than playing in green and white for the team that shares New Meadowlands Stadium with the Giants.

Still, though, Burress and the Giants are better off without each other.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Eli Manning would be happy to have Plaxico Burress back in a New York Giants’ uniform but the quarterback isn’t going to lobby management to re-sign the Super Bowl hero.

Manning made it clear that it’s up general manager Jerry Reese, coach Tom Coughlin and Giants ownership to decide whether to re-sign Burress now that the gifted receiver has finished his nearly two-year prison sentence for a weapons possession violation.

Either way, Manning believes the Giants have the talent to have an explosive offense this season.

Burress, who was released from prison on June 6, visited with Coughlin, Reese and co-owner John Mara on Friday night at the Giants headquarters in an attempt to convince them that he could be a team player.

“I am going about my business and preparing myself,” the Giants quarterback said yesterday on the first day of practice at training camp. “I don’t lobby for anybody. If this is the right spot for Plaxico, if the Giants and coach Coughlin are pleased with his attitude after talking to him, I am happy to have him.

“But I am preparing with the guys we have here and now,” Manning said. “I am not out lobbying for (tight end) Kevin Boss either. I think he (Burress) is a great player and would love to have him. You know the Giants know what they are doing. If they want my two cents, my advice, then I’d be happy to talk to them about it.”

Coughlin said he had a nice conversation with Burress and was happy they talked on Friday night, but he would not discuss what was said. The coach had said this was the first step in evaluating Burress, and he added there might be another.

Manning and Burress combined for 33 touchdown receptions between 2005-08, with none being bigger than the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl victory over New England in February 2008, when Manning won the MVP.

Burress, however, also annoyed the quarterback by failing to show up for offseason workouts and nothing was worse than when the receiver shot himself in the leg in a New York City nightclub in November 2008. It led to his dismissal from the team, a loss that hurt the Giants’ offense down the stretch and ultimately led to their early ouster from the playoffs in a season that seemed headed for another long postseason run.

While other players greeted Burress warmly Friday night after his visit, Manning did not talk to him because he said he was in meetings with coaches.

Manning said he talked to Burress a few weeks ago to see how he was doing after his release and to wish him well.

When pressed, Manning said Burress is a big target (6-foot-5) who can go up and get the game and make plays.

“That is always a nice thing to have in your back pocket,” Manning said.

If Burress were to sign elsewhere, Manning felt the Giants have enough talent to compensate with Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon and other young wideouts such as Victor Cruz and Ramses Barden among others. There’s also a running game that features Brandon Jacobs, D.J. Ware and possibly Ahmad Bradshaw, if he were to re-sign with New York. Re-signing Boss to play tight end also would help.

“We have a lot of skills in the offensive positions and a lot of receivers who can make big plays,” Manning said. “We have a number of guys that can step up and prove that they can be depended on, week in and week out.”

The Giants are going to have to produce with the NFC East defending champion Philadelphia Eagles adding Nnamdi Asomugha, one of the NFL’s best cover cornerbacks.

Manning said that when the Giants won the Super Bowl after the 2007, they were able to combine talent and great work ethic.

“People see the final results of the ’07 year, when he (Burress) didn’t practice all year and say we won a championship,” Manning said. “Well, we went 10-6 and barely made the playoffs. It wasn’t like everything was a breeze and we went 14-2. It was tough, we struggled, we went through low points. Everything was not always perfect. It is about being dependable, being committed to the team and showing up for practice, working hard and doing everything you can to get yourself and the team prepared to play each game.”

Notes: Manning hopes his brother, Peyton, will be ready in the Indianapolis Colts’ season opener against Houston on Sept. 11. Peyton had neck surgery in May and he won’t be on the field when Indianapolis starts its training camp. “I hope he is for his sake, football and the Colts,” Eli said of his brother playing in the Colts’ season opener “He is on the right track and hopefully he is back.”

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Eli Manning would be happy to have Plaxico Burress back in a New York Giants’ uniform but the quarterback isn’t going to lobby management to re-sign the Super Bowl hero.

Manning made it clear that it’s up general manager Jerry Reese, coach Tom Coughlin and Giants ownership to decide whether to re-sign Burress now that the gifted receiver has finished his nearly two-year prison sentence for a weapons possession violation.

Either way, Manning believes the Giants have the talent to have an explosive offence this season.

Burress, who was released from prison on June 6, visited with Coughlin, Reese and co-owner John Mara on Friday night at the Giants headquarters in an attempt to convince them that he could be a team player.

“I am going about my business and preparing myself,” the Giants quarterback said Saturday on the first day of practice at training camp. “I don’t lobby for anybody. If this is the right spot for Plaxico, if the Giants and coach Coughlin are pleased with his attitude after talking to him, I am happy to have him.

“But I am preparing with the guys we have here and now,” Manning said. “I am not out lobbying for (tight end) Kevin Boss either. I think he (Burress) is a great player and would love to have him. You know the Giants know what they are doing. If they want my two cents, my advice, then I’d be happy to talk to them about it.”

Coughlin said he had a nice conversation with Burress and was happy they talked on Friday night, but he would not discuss what was said. The coach had said this was the first step in evaluating Burress, and he added there might be another.

Manning and Burress combined for 33 touchdown receptions between 2005-08, with none being bigger than the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl victory over New England in February 2008, when Manning won the MVP.

Burress, however, also annoyed the quarterback by failing to show up for off-season workouts and nothing was worse than when the receiver shot himself in the leg in a New York City nightclub in November 2008. It led to his dismissal from the team, a loss that hurt the Giants’ offence down the stretch and ultimately led to their early ouster from the playoffs in a season that seemed headed for another long post-season run.

While other players greeted Burress warmly Friday night after his visit, Manning did not talk to him because he said he was in meetings with coaches.

Manning said he talked to Burress a few weeks ago to see how he was doing after his release and to wish him well.

When pressed, Manning said Burress is a big target (six-foot-five) who can go up and get the game and make plays.

“That is always a nice thing to have in your back pocket,” Manning said.

If Burress were to sign elsewhere, Manning felt the Giants have enough talent to compensate with Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon and other young wideouts such as Victor Cruz and Ramses Barden among others. There’s also a running game that features Brandon Jacobs, D.J. Ware and possibly Ahmad Bradshaw, if he were to re-sign with New York. Re-signing Boss to play tight end also would help.

“We have a lot of skills in the offensive positions and a lot of receivers who can make big plays,” Manning said. “We have a number of guys that can step up and prove that they can be depended on, week in and week out.”

The Giants are going to have to produce with the NFC East defending champion Philadelphia Eagles adding Nnamdi Asomugha, one of the NFL’s best cover cornerbacks.

Manning said that when the Giants won the Super Bowl after the 2007, they were able to combine talent and great work ethic.

“People see the final results of the ’07 year, when he (Burress) didn’t practice all year and say we won a championship,” Manning said. “Well, we went 10-6 and barely made the playoffs. It wasn’t like everything was a breeze and we went 14-2. It was tough, we struggled, we went through low points. Everything was not always perfect. It is about being dependable, being committed to the team and showing up for practice, working hard and doing everything you can to get yourself and the team prepared to play each game.”

Notes: Manning hopes his brother, Peyton, will be ready in the Indianapolis Colts’ season opener against Houston on Sept. 11. Peyton had neck surgery in May and he won’t be on the field when Indianapolis starts its training camp. “I hope he is for his sake, football and the Colts,” Eli said of his brother playing in the Colts’ season opener “He is on the right track and hopefully he is back.”

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—Eli Manning(notes) would be happy to have Plaxico
Burress(notes) back in a New York Giants’ uniform but the quarterback isn’t going to
lobby management to re-sign the Super Bowl hero.

Manning made it clear that it’s up general manager Jerry Reese, coach Tom
Coughlin and Giants ownership to decide whether to re-sign Burress now that the
gifted receiver has finished his nearly two-year prison sentence for a weapons
possession violation.

Either way, Manning believes the Giants have the talent to have an explosive
offense this season.

A trainer helps Eli Manning during the second quarter against the Jets. Manning suffered a big gash to the left side of his temple and was forced to leave the game.
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Burress, who was released from prison on June 6, visited with Coughlin,
Reese and co-owner John Mara on Friday night at the Giants headquarters in an
attempt to convince them that he could be a team player.

“I am going about my business and preparing myself,” the Giants
quarterback said Saturday on the first day of practice at training camp. “I
don’t lobby for anybody. If this is the right spot for Plaxico, if the Giants
and coach Coughlin are pleased with his attitude after talking to him, I am
happy to have him.

“But I am preparing with the guys we have here and now,” Manning said. “I
am not out lobbying for (tight end) Kevin Boss(notes) either. I think he (Burress) is a
great player and would love to have him. You know the Giants know what they are
doing. If they want my two cents, my advice, then I’d be happy to talk to them
about it.”

Coughlin said he had a nice conversation with Burress and was happy they
talked on Friday night, but he would not discuss what was said. The coach had
said this was the first step in evaluating Burress, and he added there might be
another.

Manning and Burress combined for 33 touchdown receptions between 2005-08,
with none being bigger than the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl victory
over New England in February 2008, when Manning won the MVP.

Burress, however, also annoyed the quarterback by failing to show up for
offseason workouts and nothing was worse than when the receiver shot himself in
the leg in a New York City nightclub in November 2008. It led to his dismissal
from the team, a loss that hurt the Giants’ offense down the stretch and
ultimately led to their early ouster from the playoffs in a season that seemed
headed for another long postseason run.

While other players greeted Burress warmly Friday night after his visit,
Manning did not talk to him because he said he was in meetings with coaches.

Manning said he talked to Burress a few weeks ago to see how he was doing
after his release and to wish him well.

When pressed, Manning said Burress is a big target (6-foot-5) who can go up
and get the game and make plays.

“That is always a nice thing to have in your back pocket,” Manning said.

If Burress were to sign elsewhere, Manning felt the Giants have enough
talent to compensate with Hakeem Nicks(notes), Mario Manningham(notes), Steve Smith, Domenik
Hixon(notes) and other young wideouts such as Victor Cruz(notes) and Ramses Barden(notes) among
others. There’s also a running game that features Brandon Jacobs(notes), D.J. Ware(notes) and
possibly Ahmad Bradshaw(notes), if he were to re-sign with New York. Re-signing Boss to
play tight end also would help.

“We have a lot of skills in the offensive positions and a lot of receivers
who can make big plays,” Manning said. “We have a number of guys that can step
up and prove that they can be depended on, week in and week out.”

The Giants are going to have to produce with the NFC East defending champion
Philadelphia Eagles adding Nnamdi Asomugha(notes), one of the NFL’s best cover
cornerbacks.

Manning said that when the Giants won the Super Bowl after the 2007, they
were able to combine talent and great work ethic.

“People see the final results of the ’07 year, when he (Burress) didn’t
practice all year and say we won a championship,” Manning said. “Well, we went
10-6 and barely made the playoffs. It wasn’t like everything was a breeze and we
went 14-2. It was tough, we struggled, we went through low points. Everything
was not always perfect. It is about being dependable, being committed to the
team and showing up for practice, working hard and doing everything you can to
get yourself and the team prepared to play each game.”

Notes: Manning hopes his brother, Peyton, will be ready in the Indianapolis
Colts’ season opener against Houston on Sept. 11. Peyton had neck surgery in May
and he won’t be on the field when Indianapolis starts its training camp. “I
hope he is for his sake, football and the Colts,” Eli said of his brother
playing in the Colts’ season opener “He is on the right track and hopefully he
is back.”

Eli Manning would be happy to have Plaxico Burress back in a New York Giants’ uniform but the quarterback isn’t going to lobby management to re-sign the Super Bowl hero.

Manning made it clear that it’s up general manager Jerry Reese, coach Tom Coughlin and Giants ownership to decide whether to re-sign Burress now that the gifted receiver has finished his nearly two-year prison sentence for a weapons possession violation.

Either way, Manning believes the Giants have the talent to have an explosive offense this season.

Burress, who was released from prison on June 6, visited with Coughlin, Reese and co-owner John Mara on Friday night at the Giants headquarters in an attempt to convince them that he could be a team player.

“I am going about my business and preparing myself,” the Giants quarterback said Saturday on the first day of practice at training camp. “I don’t lobby for anybody. If this is the right spot for Plaxico, if the Giants and coach Coughlin are pleased with his attitude after talking to him, I am happy to have him.

“But I am preparing with the guys we have here and now,” Manning said. “I am not out lobbying for (tight end) Kevin Boss either. I think he (Burress) is a great player and would love to have him. You know the Giants know what they are doing. If they want my two cents, my advice, then I’d be happy to talk to them about it.”

Manning and Burress combined for 33 touchdown receptions between 2005-08, with none being bigger than the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl victory over New England in February 2008, when Manning won the MVP.

Burress, however, also annoyed the quarterback by failing to show up for offseason workouts and nothing was worse than when the receiver shot himself in the leg in a New York City nightclub in November 2008. It led to his dismissal from the team, a loss that hurt the Giants’ offense down the stretch and ultimately led to their early ouster from the playoffs in a season that seemed headed for another long postseason run.

While other players greeted Burress warmly Friday night after his visit, Manning did not talk to him because he said he was in meetings with coaches.

Manning said he talked to Burress a few weeks ago to see how he was doing after his release and to wish him well.

When pressed, Manning said Burress is a big target (6-foot-5) who can go up and get the game and make plays.

“That is always a nice thing to have in your back pocket,” Manning said.

If Burress were to sign elsewhere, Manning felt the Giants have enough talent to compensate with Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon and other young wideouts such as Victor Cruz and Ramses Barden among others. There’s also a running game that features Brandon Jacobs, D.J. Ware and possibly Ahmad Bradshaw, if he were to re-sign with New York. Re-signing Boss to play tight end also would help.

“We have a lot of skills in the offensive positions and a lot of receivers who can make big plays,” Manning said. “We have a number of guys that can step up and prove that they can be depended on, week in and week out.”

The Giants are going to have to produce with the NFC East defending champion Philadelphia Eagles adding Nnamdi Asomugha, one of the NFL’s best cover cornerbacks.

Manning said that when the Giants won the Super Bowl after the 2007, they were able to combine talent and great work ethic.

“People see the final results of the ’07 year, when he (Burress) didn’t practice all year and say we won a championship,” Manning said. “Well, we went 10-6 and barely made the playoffs. It wasn’t like everything was a breeze and we went 14-2. It was tough, we struggled, we went through low points. Everything was not always perfect. It is about being dependable, being committed to the team and showing up for practice, working hard and doing everything you can to get yourself and the team prepared to play each game.”

Notes: Manning hopes his brother, Peyton, will be ready in the Indianapolis Colts’ season opener against Houston on Sept. 11. Peyton had neck surgery in May and he won’t be on the field when Indianapolis starts its training camp. “I hope he is for his sake, football and the Colts,” Eli said of his brother playing in the Colts’ season opener “He is on the right track and hopefully he is back.”