Plaxico Burress is getting out of jail on Monday after 20 months of incarceration.  He’s looking to pick up where he left off as one of the top rated receivers in the NFL, despite his venerable age of 33.  However, according to his friend and former teammate, Brandon Jacobs, Burress isn’t interested in going back to the New York Giants.  He’d rather play for a different NFC team.  One that doesn’t seem to mind taking a chance on ex-convicts.  According to NFL.com:

What’s on Burress’ plate, Jacobs believes, is joining the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles — a possibility that has been recently speculated and later supported by the team’s quarterback, Michael Vick, who served 19 months in a federal prison on dogfighting charges.

“No, he ain’t coming to the Giants,” Jacobs said Thursday, according to The Star-Ledger. “That’s out of the question. He’s got options, and it’s good he can weigh his options. I would love him to be a part of the Giants, but I don’t think that’s even on his plate.”

Burress pleaded guilty of attempted criminal possession of a weapon after he shot himself in the leg at a nightclub in November of 2008.  That, by the way, is rarely ever good for your 40-time.  In fact, that’s about the worst thing that could happen to a guy who relies on his legs as much as his hands in his job.

Jacobs also said Burress has told him he wouldn’t mind playing for former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, now coach of the St. Louis Rams.

Jacobs’ comments about Burress mirror those of Giants left tackle David Diehl, who told NFL.com last month that he’d like the receiver to return but doesn’t see it happening.

“If I were Plaxico, I don’t think I would want to …,” Diehl said. “If I were in that position, in order to move on and start fresh, you have to get back to square one. That’s getting back to playing football. That’s getting back to yourself, and not only enjoying your family, but enjoying your life and being happy again. For him, I think that’s somewhere else.”

Regardless of where Burress ends up, he’ll be a the #2 guy at best and more likely a #3.  His Age combined with the fact he sat in the pokey for nearly 2 years after shooting himself in the leg is almost a guarantee that he’s lost a step or two.  And if this lockout doesn’t let up, Burress may just exit prison only to enter early retirement.  I hope he’s saved some of that All-Pro jack he’s made over the past decade.

[PhotoSource: CBS Sports]

Feels like a million bucks after Dancing With The Stars?

That’s right.  According to the sports and marketing agency, MAXX Sports and Entertainment, former New York Giants running back, Tiki Barber, has filed papers to come out of retirement.  No word on who he wants to play for, but New York might be happy to have him back.  The agency posted this on Twitter today:

BREAKING NEWS #maxxclient Tiki Barber has filed the papers with the NFL to officially come out of retirement.

Tiki’s agent later confirmed the “un-retirement”.  According to a tweet by Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal:

Breaking–Tiki Barber’s agent confirms he is coming out of retirement. Mark Lepselter: “It’s true.” #NFL

Perhaps Tiki thinks this will encourage the NFL to come to it’s collective senses and affoid a lockout in 2011.  Then again, Tiki wasn’t that good.  More likely, his divorce from Traci Lynn Johnson wiped him out and he’s not working for NBC anymore, therefore…

[PhotoSource: Star Celebritys]

He was drafted out of Notre Dame in 1983.  He was a member of arguably the greatest NFL defense of all time with the Chicago Bears in 1985.  He went on to play with the Super Bowl XXV Champion New York Giants.  Today, former NFL safety and four-time Pro Bowler Dave Duerson was found dead at his home in Sunny Isles Beach, Fl.  The Associated Press reports:

The Bears released a statement Friday saying they were “stunned and saddened” by the news and called Duerson “a great contributor to our team and the Chicago community.”

“Today is a difficult day for all of us who loved Dave,” the team said. “We’ll miss him. Our prayers are with his family.”

Miami-Dade Police Detective Robert Williams says the body of a Dave Duerson was found Thursday in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla. Computer records show that the Duerson who lived at the address was born the same month and year as the player.

Investigators have not determined the cause of death. Williams says detectives are awaiting the medical examiner’s report.

Duerson was loved by many people in and out of football.  According to friends and colleagues, he enjoyed his life after football and was very proud of his accomplishments “off the field”.

[PhotoSource: The Huffington Post]

*STORY UPDATE: Check out photo of Sanchez’s 17-year-old girlfriend, Eliza Kruger.

*Also, read more about the intimate details and how the story evolved.

As if there weren’t enough off-the-field activities to keep the Jets busy in spin control for the next six months, Deadspin is reporting that starting quarterback, Mark Sanchez, has a 17-year-old “ladyfriend” who is still in high school.  The girl’s name has not yet been revealed, likely for legal reasons.

According to their website, Deadspin plans on releasing the full story – with bedroom photos – this week.  However, the “friend” has hired – most likely through her mommy and daddy – an attorney who sent the following legal communication to Deadspin:

Although the above legal-ese claims there is nothing to the 24-year-old Sanchez allegedly “seeing” the young lady, Deadspin claims it has, at the very least, circumstantial evidence:

We won’t publish this young lady’s full name, but if the photos she sent to us from her Blackberry of Mark Sanchez’s bedroom — supposedly taken on her cell phone after she spent the night with him a few weeks ago — were not sent by her, then there’s more to this than previously suspected.

There was a time when 24 and 17 was, well, pretty normal.  But times have changed significantly since the 1950’s.  Today, the average 17-year-old has the mentality of a 7th grader.  Most haven’t been expected to grow up like their grandparents did.  The world is just different.

That said, this isn’t exactly Roman Polanski here, but there are some important issues that can arise when an adult with the full rights and responsibilities thereof is spending intimate time with a legal minor.  There are serious statutory concerns for Sanchez.  And depending on the laws in New York, it’s possible her parents could be looking to another lawyer down at the district attorney’s office to prosecute their little girl’s new boyfriend.

Okay, so they’re probably hoping he’ll marry her, but you never know.  Her father could be a Patriots fan.

[Source: LA Times]

As fans, we’re always hoping our teams will gamble just at the right time.  We’re constantly rooting for coaches to ‘go for it’ on 4th and short almost any time our favorite offense creeps over the other teams’ 50 yard line.  It’s in our nature…we’re fans, as excited about the potential for championship glory as any actual player or coach.  And in this two week down time between conference championships and the Super Bowl – I won’t count the Pro-Bowl here – even lukewarm fans are choosing sides and hoping to see high flying, gun slinging, riverboat betting antics on February 6th.

According to Vic Carucci at NFL.com, the Super Bowl tends to reward teams that take chances.  And Carucci sets the losers aside and takes a look at eight of the greatest gambles – that paid off – in NFL History:

No one saw it coming. Not the 74,059 fans in Miami’s Sun Life Stadium. Not the millions watching on television. And, certainly, not the Indianapolis Colts. It came off exactly as its name, “The Ambush,” implies it should.

The New Orleans Saints truly blindsided the unsuspecting Colts when they opened the second half of Super Bowl XLIV with an onside kick. They recovered the ball and quickly turned a halftime deficit into a 13-10 lead. Although they would fall behind again, the play provided the momentum boost necessary to carry the Saints to a 31-17 victory and their first Super Bowl championship.

And here are some others – quite a few in recent memory – that make the list:

The Washington Redskins‘ fourth-and-1 handoff to John Riggins that resulted in a 43-yard gallop to the end zone, the pivotal score in their 27-17 triumph over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII.

The New York Giants’ flea-flicker that produced a 44-yard gain and set up a touchdown to open the flood gates in their 39-20 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI.

The Giants’ decision to use only two defensive linemen, essentially daring the Buffalo Bills to run, an approach that was key to their 20-19 victory in Super Bowl XXV.

The New England Patriots choosing to go for the win with a young quarterback named Tom Brady — rather than playing it safe and going to overtime — in the final moments of their 20-17 upset of the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.

The Steelers using wide receiver Antwaan Randle El to throw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass off a reverse in their 21-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.

Carucci includes Former Kansas City Chiefs’ coach Hank Stram’s use of kicker Jan Stenerud and the legendary “65 Toss Power Trap” play in Super Bowl IV and Chuck Noll’s decision to run on 4th and 9 with 1:29 left in the game against the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X.

Now, this is an impressive list.  However, Noll could have punted on 4th and 9, pinning the Cowboys deep.  Instead, the got the ball on the 39 yard line.  He actually put the Steelers in a worse position with that gamble.  That Steelers’ free safety Glen Edwards intercepted Roger Staubach a few plays later has little to do with the 4th down call.  I suppose Noll thought, since Dallas was out of timeouts, running 30 more seconds off the clock was more important.

I take serious issue with Carucci’s idea that using a young Tom Brady – with the score tied 17-17, 1:20 left in Super Bowl XXXVI – to move his team into field goal position against the Rams was ‘gutsy’.  Isn’t that what your quarterback is supposed to do?  Even if Brady were a rookie at the time, all he did was dink and dunk the ball to receivers who had the presence of mind to get out of bounds.  Playing for overtime is rarely, if ever, a good decision.  Playing to ‘win the game’, as Herm Edwards famously said, is how you play in the NFL.

Well, there you go.  A trip down memory lane; a couple of controversial plays; everything a good top 10, er, 8 list needs to stir up the fan in all of us.  I wonder what kind of gambles this year’s game has in store.

[Source: WIRED]

At this time of the year, every true football fan has a horse in the race – even if their favorite team’s season has long since ended.  So FOX Sports took a shot at ranking the remaining teams vying for a shot at NFL glory and a Super Bowl Championship.  Then analysis is impressive, ranking every part of each team from the quarterback to the defensive line to coaching.

A few of the teams playing for their conference championship this weekend are quite surprising.  The Pittsburgh Steelers began their season with their starting quarterback riding the bench for the first four games, yet finished the regular season at 12-4.  The Chicago Bears looked more like the Three Stooges when they gave up 10 sacks to the New York Giants in Week 4.  Yet a porous offensive line gelled as the season progressed and helped the Bears finish 11-5 with a first-round bye in the playoffs.

The Green Bay Packers – the closest remaining team to be considered a Super Bowl favorite at the beginning of the season -  saw their playoff hopes crumble late in the year.  Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was out with a concussion and the team was not quite the same without him despite a tough defense led by linebacker Clay Matthews.  In week 15 the Pack was sitting at 8-6, needing to win two-in-a row – with a little help – just to lock up a wild-card spot.

Then there’s the New York Jets.  Despite a rather large combination of inconsistent quarterback play, a couple of blowout losses to finish 3-5 at the end of the season, ‘Trip-gate’, a little foot fetish video and a blowhard head coach, the Jet’s have done the improbable.  They’ve beaten both the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots on the road.  Whatever, Rex Ryan has been selling all regular season, I guess you’ve got to buy it now.

Whichever team wins it all, there are few this year who can legitimately say they saw it coming.

[Source: VC Sports]

It’s that time of year again, kids!  No, not the NFL Playoffs.  It’s the yearly coaching “carousel” that begins spinning at the end of every football season.  Underachievers are sacked – and often hired someplace else – and coordinators have an opportunity to step into the limelight has head coaches.  So let’s look at who’s likely fired and who might be hired.

John Fox of the Carolina Panthers is gone, but that’s not really news.  Everyone knew he was leaving months ago.  There will be no ‘in-house’ hirings as the entire staff has been let go.  There are no high-profile names being tossed around, but Perry Fewell – defensive coordinator for the New York Giants – is currently in the running.

The San Francisco 49ers are looking to hire Jim Harbaugh away from Stanford, but there are other candidates in the mix in case the Harbaugh deal falls through.  According to Niners’ Nation, Jason Garret of the Cowboys, Jeff Fisher of the Titans and Leslie Frazier of the Vikings are all being considered.  But although these coaches would all be big improvements over recently fired Mike Singletary, Harbaugh is far and away owner Jed York’s first choice.

Eric Mangini of the Cleveland Browns has been fired according to Dawgpound Daily.  Mangini doesn’t seem to have what it takes to be a successful head coach but he could be an effective coordinator for another team.  He could take over as d-coordinator for the Giants or the Texans, especially since Houston has just fired Frank Bush.  Along with the Panthers opening, Perry Fewel of the Giants is also in the running for the Browns job.

To say that Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals is on the hot seat is like saying Terrell Owens doesn’t mind a little media attention.  The ‘Bungles’ simply fell apart this season after making it to the playoffs in 2009.  Lewis no longer seems to be the answer in Cincinnati.  It’s difficult to say who would be willing to take over there, but Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden are – technically – still available.

Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano still has his job, but could be fired in the next couple of days.  Sparano was expected to lead Miami back to the playoffs with a stingy defense and a much improved offense, but quarterback Chad Henne has not quite been the saviour they were hoping for.  There were rumours that Bill Cowher might take the job, but if those rumours were true, Sparano would have been fired a week ago.

There are a slew of coordinator openings, some of which we’ve touched on earlier.  A couple of notables are o-coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs and d-coordinator for the New York Giants.  We’ll let you know when anything new happens on those fronts.  Until then, enjoy the playoffs and good luck snagging that head coach you’ve been dreaming of ever since your team was eliminated from the post season.

[Source: Who Dat Dish]

Cleveland Browns (5-8) at Cinncinnati Bengals (2-11)

Backed by a power running game featuring the surprising Peyton Hillis and a decent passing game with rookie quarterback Colt McCoy, the Browns have turned a miserable start to the 2010 season into what may very well be a mediocre finish.  That’s a lot more than can be said for the Bengals, whose star free agent receiver TO has been blaming the coaching staff for their lousy record.  The Bengals are done.  The Browns still have something to prove. Browns 24, Bengals 17

Washington Redskins (5-8) at Dallas Cowboys (4-9)

The Cowboys have shown they have way too much talent to be as bad as they looked the first six weeks of the season.  Sure, they lost to Philadelphia at home last week, but there’s nothing about the Eagles that remotely resembles the bumbling Redskins.  Any team that has to bench Donovan McNabb for Rex Grossman is in serious trouble.  If the Redskins finish the season any better than 5-11, it would be a minor miracle.  Cowboys 28, Redskins 17

Houston Texans (5-8) at Tennessee Titans (5-8)

Both of these teams had promising starts.  The Texans took down Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts and the Titans routed the Oakland Raiders.  But for the past 5 weeks or so it’s mostly been downhill for these clubs.  At this point, neither one is threatening to win the AFC South.  The Texans, however, still seem to care about their season.  Vince Young is out in Tennessee.  Chris Johnson’s quest for 2,500 yards rushing is looking more and more like a bad joke.  And in the NFL, rule #213 is this; never bet on Kerry Collins as your starting quarterback.  Texans 28, Titans 20

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5) at Indianapolis Colts (7-6)

Unlike Texans v. Titans, this one is probably for all the marbles in the AFC South.  If the Jaguars win, they will likely take the division, given their two game lead and very winnable games in weeks 16 and 17 (vs Washington and at Houston).  If the Colts win, however, they hold the tiebreaker over the Jaguars with games at Oakland and vs Tennessee.  Unfortunately for the Jags, their not the San Diego Chargers.  Manning will pull this one out, but Jacksonville will keep it close. Colts 28, Jaguars 24

Buffalo Bills (3-10) at Miami Dolphins (7-6)

Miami still has a shot at the playoffs (with some help) and it all starts here.  Figuring out how to win a game at home would help.  The Bills aren’t really as bad as their record would indicate, but they have trouble moving the ball against good defenses.  If Chad Henne can have an efficient game,  they Dolphins should handle the Bills.  If the Bills find a way to win this one, the Dolphins’ playoff hopes are officially ’squished’.  Dolphins 20, Bills 17

Philadelphia Eagles (9-4) at New York Giants (9-4)

Okay, this game is one to get excited about.  Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson against a stout Giants’ defense with a game lead in the NFC East on the line should be enough to get any football fan jazzed.  Both teams will make the playoffs, but this game could mean the difference between a third seed division champion and a sixth seed wild card.  If the Giants take this one, they not only grab a one game lead but the tiebreaker as well.  The Eagles have extremely winnable games at home against Minnesota and Dallas to finish the season.  The Giants still have to go to Green Bay.  I think it’s safe to say whomoever wins this game takes the division.  The Giant’s will find a way to slow down Vick, but it’s almost a pick ‘em. Giants 27, Eagles 24

Detroit Lions (3-10) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5)

Prediction: The Lions will be good…one day…within the next decade.  Given Detroit’s history, I’d say that’s a bold prognostication.  Sadly, that doesn’t help them this season.  Tampa Bay, though still hard to figure out, is playing well behind quarterback Josh Freeman.  Eh, well, at least the Lions will be in good draft position in 2011…again. Buccaneers 28, Lions 20

Arizona Cardinals (4-9) at Carolina Panthers (1-12)

Look, at one time this season, Arizona had some say in the NFC West divisional race.  Not anymore.  Face it, if you’re not a fan of one of these teams, you really don’t care anyway.  Ah, what the hell. Panthers 44, Cardinals 17

New Orleans Saints (10-3) at Baltimore Ravens (9-4)

The Saints have found ways to win on the road and the Ravens have shown that their defense is not as dominating as in seasons past.  But it’s still very good.  After an incredibly emotional win last Monday night, though, the Ravens will find it difficult to keep up with the New Orleans and a pass-happy Drew Brees.  The Saints will find a way to hold off Ray Lewis and the boys, and Joe Flacco will have a tough time with the Big Easy’s defense.  But if the Ravens can get their running game going, they could just beat the NFC’s second best team. Saints 24, Ravens 20

Altanta Falcons (11-2) at Seattle Seahawks (6-7)

The NFC’s best team takes on the division leading Seahawks.  Too bad that division is the NFC West.  Seattle has a beautiful stadium with a great game day atmosphere, lots of crowd noise and Tom Skerrit It won’t be enough.  The ‘Hawks will put up a good fight, though…just before they get trounced.  Lucky for them, somebody in the NFC West is going to win it with a 7-9 record.  Ugh! Falcons 31, Seahawks 17

Denver Broncos (3-10) at Oakland Raiders (6-7)

The AFC West has become a two-horse race, but the Raiders can still make the playoffs if they win out, San Diego loses one of it’s two remaining games and Kansas City loses one of theirs – that’s not including the game the Chiefs would have to lose to Oakland in week 17.  Yeah…good luck with all that.  Denver is beyond bad and is currently paying TWO head coaches, neither of which actually work for the team anymore.  Oh, and Tim Teabow is starting in place of an injured Kyle Orton – they guy who has produced 90% of the Broncos’ touchdowns this season.  It won’t be the 59-14 spanking that Oakland laid on Denver back in October, but the Raiders should win this one handily. Raiders 27, Broncos 10

New York Jets (9-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)

Three weeks ago, this would have been a great game.  But the last two weeks the Jets have scored a total of 9 points, and quarterback Matt Sanchez has looked more like a clueless rookie that a franchise player.  Pittsburgh’s home-field advantage is just too big.  And unless the Jets can figure out a way to win a game without using their coaches to trip opposing players, New York will be sitting at 9-5 by Sunday evening.  It won’t be ugly, but it ain’t gonna be very pretty, either. Steelers 24, Jets 17

Chicago Bears (9-4) at Somewhere in Minnesota Vikings (5-8)

Assuming the field is ready, the Vikings will host the Bears to Minnesota’s 9th loss.  Brett Favre probably won’t start, but does anyone really care anymore?  The streak, and Favre’s career with the Vikings, is over.  It is really time they both moved on.  In their defense, the Vikings have shown a little fight over the past 5 or 6 weeks, but the 2010 season has been an abyssmal failure for a team that finished 12-4 in ‘09.  The Bears are surprisingly good given the fact that most people thought Jay Cutler sucked. Bears 28, Vikings 20

Kansas City Chiefs (8-5) at St. Louis Rams (6-7)

It’s the battle for the Governor’s Cup in the Show-Me-State.  That’s Missouri, by the way.  I could tell you were wondering.  Both teams lead their respective divisions and have been nothing less than pleasant surprises for their fans.  Rookie Quarterback Sam Bradford has done wonders for the Rams and Matt Cassel – before his appendectomy – was on a pro-bowl pace, winning AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November.  The Rams have played well at home but they’re catching the Chiefs at a bad time – one week after an embarassing shut-out at the hands of the San Diego Chargers.  Look for the Chiefs to be focused and get the job done.  Of course, if Brodie Croyle is in at quarterback again, all bets are off.  The Chiefs will probably win this one, but not by a lot. Chiefs 27, Rams 21

Green Bay Packers (8-5) at New England Patriots (11-2)

Okay, am I the only football fan who is officially sick of the Patriots.  It must be nice to draw the Packers at Foxboro just when their starting pro-bowl caliber quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, is out.  Green Bay still has a strong defense led by linebacker Clay Matthews, but it probably won’t be enough to beat the home team.  Tom Brady continues to look like Superman in a football helmet, leading the league in TD passes with 29 while tossing only 4 picks.  It makes me urp up a little to say it, but the Pats will win another one on Sunday. Patriots 31, Packers 24

[Source: Dotsperiod]

Tiki Barber has joined the ranks of Tigerdom by leaving his 8-month pregnant wife Ginny Cha to be with his girlfriend, 23-year old NBC intern Traci Lynn Johnson.

Those close to Barber were shocked by his actions in wake of Tiki’s disdain for his father’s philandering ways.

“I don’t give a [bleep] that the relationship didn’t work,” he said of his parents’ split in a 2004 Post interview. “Not only did he abandon her, I felt like he abandoned us for a lot of our lives. I have a hard time forgiving that.”

Upon the birth of the twins, Tiki and Ginny will have four children together.  They already have two boys, ages 6 and 8.

Jason Whitlock was arguing that a 23-year old is golden and that he couldn’t blame Tiki on his Twitter.  However, Tiki will quickly find out that 23 can be bought any night in Vegas for pennies on the divorce settlement dollar.

Photo of Tiki’s Hot Blonde Mistress/Girlfriend Traci Lynn Johnson

The 35-year old Barber retired from the New York Giants in 2006.  He appeared in three Pro Bowls.

[image: nypost]

Here is the released prison mugshot of jailed New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress.  Burress started serving a two year sentence for criminal possession of a weapon earlier this week in New York.

The last time Burress was in a green uniform was back in his college days at Michigan State for the Spartans.

He is serving his sentence at Fishkill Correctional Facility in New York.