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.”
