Just 5 Minutes: Rams Should Avoid Plaxico Burress

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo may have a history with
Plaxico Burress, but avoiding Burress may be what is
 best for his quarterback Sam Bradford and young,
 growing team. - Photo courtesy of Getty Images

The St. Louis Rams are likely still looking to find some new weapons to give to new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and second year quarterback Sam Bradford.

The Rams drafted a pair of wide receivers in April's NFL Draft to address the teams inefficiency in the Red Zone last season.  But neither Greg Salas or Austin Pettis project to be the type of game-breaking wide receiver that the Rams covet.

Rumors and speculation have swirled and many believe that the Rams could be interested in Plaxico Burress, the former Giants wide receiver who was recently released from jail.

In his prime, Burress represents the exact talent that could fill the teams need.

The problem is, Burress just spent time in a jail cell.

So while signing Burress might seem enticing to the Rams and head coach Steve Spagnoulo, a former Giants coordinator, the Rams should avoid Burress like  plague.

Here are three reasons why.

1. Burress will be a shell of his former self.  In Michael Vick's first season after returning to the NFL after spending time in jail, his legs were not there.  He was not the explosive play-maker that he was prior to his jail sentence in that first season and was rusty.  

The problem for the Rams is that can not afford to sign Burress and have him be rusty in the first season while he gets his legs under him.  The Rams would need Burress to be an impact play-maker immediately.  At the age of 35 and from analyzing Vick's experience, there is a very high risk that Burress would not be the down-field threat that he was earlier in his career.  If Burress is not a top 10 wide receiver right now, then the Rams are wasting their time.  

2. The Rams still have other major needs.  The Rams have already addressed the wide receiver position in the draft while neglecting to address major holes in a roster that was still just 7-9 last season.

The Rams will need to look at acquiring an impact safety, outside linebacker, corner-back, defensive tackle, and back-up running back once free agency starts, whenever that may be.

The team can not afford to be wasting time going after Burress when there are so many other areas that still need to be addressed if they plan on competing for the NFC West title in 2011.

3. The young Rams are still growing and need time to mature.  Giving a contract to Plaxico Burress almost guarantees that one of the Rams young wide receivers will see less playing time and possibly be left off of the roster.

Players like Danario Alexander and Donnie Avery have the talent to be legit threats in this league and should be given an opportunity to prove that they are both finally healthy.

Plus, this team is so young and has so much room to grow around Sam Bradford.  Last year's 7-9 season was encouraging, but this team is still a long way from competing with the "big boys" in the NFL.

Given time and another season with Bradford learning under center and throwing to his newly drafted receiving corp, the Rams would be better off in the long run.

Avoiding Burress is a must for the Rams.  He likely will be a shell of the explosive wide receiver and not worth the risk.  Burress would be a distraction for this team and its main goal, which is to continue to improve and mature around their future star quarterback.

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