One game and one catch is sometimes all it takes. On any stage, even a meaningless preseason game against a team whose best player recently decided to retire rather than continue his career there, Plaxico’s debut was enough to sway any on-the-fence Jets fans, or even some in this media organization who questioned how good the 34-year-old could still be (okay, that was actually me ... my bad) after his two-year hiatus from football while serving time in prison.
After teasing us with a zone-busting 20-yard reception to their new wideout on their first play from scrimmage, and another equally long route to open the second quarter, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez’s near-perfect 26-yard teardrop pass to the corner of the end zone put the Michigan State alum in perfect position to show the NFL what talent is still left in his tank.
His subsequent diving, over-the-shoulder catch, replayed on TV countless times Sunday night, which capped a 99-yard drive, seemed to answer any doubts about the whereabouts of his once-potent abilities. Said Burress afterward, “It just feels good to get back into the flow, to get into the game and get live competition—to get hit, catch the ball, just get the gist of it again.”
At 6’5” Burress’s tall frame may allow for him to keep catching the ball for several years to come ... unless he’s picked up by the Bengals, of course.
Plax’s debut wasn’t the only performance turning heads in East Rutherford, though. Joe McKnight’s impact on only nine touches (36 yards rushing, TD reception) was significant if only for his great bounce-to-the-left run that netted 11 yards on a play that was clearly designed to go right, which opened the second half.
The 23-year-old, who poured in 158 yards in last year’s regular season finale against Brad Smith’s new team (Buffalo), suffered a concussion last week, but had recovered enough to earn Ryan’s praise afterwards: “He made that big bounce. Everything was shut off and he’s so explosive. ... That’s what Joe can do. He’s a mismatch. I thought he played really well.”
After teasing us with a zone-busting 20-yard reception to their new wideout on their first play from scrimmage, and another equally long route to open the second quarter, Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez’s near-perfect 26-yard teardrop pass to the corner of the end zone put the Michigan State alum in perfect position to show the NFL what talent is still left in his tank.
His subsequent diving, over-the-shoulder catch, replayed on TV countless times Sunday night, which capped a 99-yard drive, seemed to answer any doubts about the whereabouts of his once-potent abilities. Said Burress afterward, “It just feels good to get back into the flow, to get into the game and get live competition—to get hit, catch the ball, just get the gist of it again.”
At 6’5” Burress’s tall frame may allow for him to keep catching the ball for several years to come ... unless he’s picked up by the Bengals, of course.
Plax’s debut wasn’t the only performance turning heads in East Rutherford, though. Joe McKnight’s impact on only nine touches (36 yards rushing, TD reception) was significant if only for his great bounce-to-the-left run that netted 11 yards on a play that was clearly designed to go right, which opened the second half.
The 23-year-old, who poured in 158 yards in last year’s regular season finale against Brad Smith’s new team (Buffalo), suffered a concussion last week, but had recovered enough to earn Ryan’s praise afterwards: “He made that big bounce. Everything was shut off and he’s so explosive. ... That’s what Joe can do. He’s a mismatch. I thought he played really well.”
Another newcomer who played well was rookie quarterback Greg McElroy. The seventh-round draft pick from Alabama, who led the Jets in two second-half scoring drives, finished six-for-nine passing for 59 yards, zero interceptions, plus the aforementioned TD pass to McKnight.
In two preseason games, the 23-year-old has completed 29 of 48 attempts for 267 yards, two TDs, and still no picks as he battles for the third-string quarterback job behind Sanchez and the injured (calf) Brunell. “The first two quarterbacks [Sanchez was 12/20 for 173 yards, two TDs, zero ints] had a 121 rating or something like that. So obviously, we’d sign up for that anytime,” said a seemingly-pleased Ryan.
Though no one is generally thrilled about the upside of a last-round pick like McElroy, the odds aren’t that far against him in the NFL. For good measure, Cowboys starting QB Tony Romo went undrafted in 2003 out of Eastern Illinois before being selected to three Pro Bowls (and counting) in Dallas, while former MVP and three-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady was now-famously taken in the next-to-last round by the Patriots three years earlier.
In addition, former Broncos/Ravens TE Shannon Sharpe was selected by Denver in the final round, 192nd overall, way back in 1990. The eight-time Pro Bowl selection, four-time First-Team All-Pro, and recent Hall of Fame inductee is surely considered one of the best to play his position and probably the best seventh-rounder ever. I’m sure the Jets will settle for a solid backup though, for when the soon-to-be-41-years-old Brunell retires, a fifth-round choice himself in 1993.
As far as Brunell’s health status goes, Ryan doesn’t seemed too concerned. “I hope he’s (Brunell) ready for our first game against Dallas. I’m sure he will be but again, I’ll leave it to the experts, because every time I talk about things, I get it all messed up,” said the always-down-to-earth Ryan afterwards.
In two preseason games, the 23-year-old has completed 29 of 48 attempts for 267 yards, two TDs, and still no picks as he battles for the third-string quarterback job behind Sanchez and the injured (calf) Brunell. “The first two quarterbacks [Sanchez was 12/20 for 173 yards, two TDs, zero ints] had a 121 rating or something like that. So obviously, we’d sign up for that anytime,” said a seemingly-pleased Ryan.
Though no one is generally thrilled about the upside of a last-round pick like McElroy, the odds aren’t that far against him in the NFL. For good measure, Cowboys starting QB Tony Romo went undrafted in 2003 out of Eastern Illinois before being selected to three Pro Bowls (and counting) in Dallas, while former MVP and three-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady was now-famously taken in the next-to-last round by the Patriots three years earlier.
In addition, former Broncos/Ravens TE Shannon Sharpe was selected by Denver in the final round, 192nd overall, way back in 1990. The eight-time Pro Bowl selection, four-time First-Team All-Pro, and recent Hall of Fame inductee is surely considered one of the best to play his position and probably the best seventh-rounder ever. I’m sure the Jets will settle for a solid backup though, for when the soon-to-be-41-years-old Brunell retires, a fifth-round choice himself in 1993.
As far as Brunell’s health status goes, Ryan doesn’t seemed too concerned. “I hope he’s (Brunell) ready for our first game against Dallas. I’m sure he will be but again, I’ll leave it to the experts, because every time I talk about things, I get it all messed up,” said the always-down-to-earth Ryan afterwards.
