Player Spotlight: Plaxico Burress (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2008 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. Last year, we published more than 140 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters. This year will be no different.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Plaxico Burress, WR, New York Giants

Player Page Link: Plaxico Burress Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsNow let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[Jason Wood]

I've been tough on Burress over the years but it's hard to argue the value he's brought to the Giants. Last year he played on a bum leg for almost the entire season and was still a fantasy force. Before he aggravated his leg, he was on pace for a historic season and, even as a virtual decoy, was still a factor when it mattered most. While Burress certainly has a bit of the primadonna in him that so many NFL WRs are now known for, I think it's important to give credit to those guys who play hurt and rise to the occasion. He's one of those guys.

Now what I'm not sure about is how healthy he is entering training camp. He's griping about his contract; but I suspect the Giants will work that out quickly enough as long as he doesn't hold out [which I don't suspect him to do]. If he's 100% this year, how can you not love him as a virtual lock for top-10 fantasy production? Even if you discount him a bit for injuries, I still see him as a solid bet for 8-10 TDs and 1,000-yards. He's Manning's top target and really the engine that makes that offense work.

Don't forget that Manning completes a low percentage and his YPA is woeful. Without Burress downfield to make tough catches and score touchdowns, it's hard to believe many people would think of Eli as an elite passer [or even an above average one].

I currently have him at 74/1100/10; but there's an upward bias to those numbers if he's in camp and healthy from start to finish.

 

[shadyridr]

64-1088-9

#13 WR

 

[gheemony]

I think MOP gets credit for qualifying Burress with the "knucklehead factor". I owned Burress last year and after the game in London, he was hard to start because of his injury status. So he didn't provide the value to my starting lineup that his final year-end stats would indicate. I think it will always be something with him. Once I decide what tier of WRs he belongs in, he's going to the bottom of it (unless he's in a tier with another knucklehead like Marshall).

I think the key with guys like Burress is to buy him after a season where he was a total knucklehead. Either you'll pay below market at auction or his ADP will be real low. But after a Super Bowl and a phenomenal start to 2007, you'll have to pay fair market value (if not higher) to get Burress. For that reason, it's highly unlikely that he'll end up on any of my teams.

Only take Burress if he's an obvious value because the knucklehead factor increases the downside risk.

 

[The Man with the Plan]

I liked him better when you could draft him as a #2 receiver. That won't happen this season so I won't draft him this season.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

WR with back to back double digit TD seasons are hard to find. WR with back to back to back double digit TD are even harder to find.

But it does appear that Eli has developed over the past couple seasons with the climax in the Super Bowl, so maybe he simply undertands when to find Plax near the end zone. Just using his 3 yr avg since he got to New York...

70/1,100/10...

I just see him pre-occupied with his contract, has the SB ring so he might not feel the need to try quite as hard...I just think he ends up with slightly less numbers than what he has been averaging.

And he is a knucklehead

 

[Manster]

i dont care if he's a knucklehead. he's gonna score.

and if Steve Smith or any other guy can produce on that team, better for plax.

80 1300 12

 

[bostonfred]

Posted this in another thread, but Burress was keeping pace with Randy Moss through the first 6 weeks of 2007, when he had 30 catches for 503 yards and 8 TDs. By comparison, Moss had 40 catches for 610 yards and 8 TDs in the same six weeks.

Burress' ankle was clearly an issue and he ended up with "only" 70 catches for 1025 yards and 12 TDs. But he is far and away the best receiver on the team, and Eli loves to look at him anywhere on the field, especially in the end zone. I believe Eli is on the way up, and I believe a healthy Burress could not only be one of the top receivers this year, he could be the #1. There aren't too many receivers I feel that strongly about.

 

[rzrback77]

Plaxico Burress has finished as WR11, WR12, and WR10 in his three seasons with the Giants. Last year he was on pace for a top three finish until he tailed off down the stretch with his nagging injuries. Despite his super bowl season, I doubt that he will be drafted as high as his current ADP based on a general consensus that he's a little off tilt. Personally, I think that he is a very competitve player that makes plays when needed. I think that he and Eli furthered a comraderie that has been building since they joined the Giants.

I also think that the younger Giant WRs, especially Smith improve and allow Burress to occasionally face single coverage, which he frequently exploits.

His current ADP is WR12 and overall 34. I think that if he holds out or even if he is held back during pre-season games, folks will focus more on the nagging injuries from a year ago. I think that he could drop down in the 40s and as low as WR15. I think that he would be a great pick there as a WR2.

Plaxico Burress 142 targets 82 catches (57.7%) 1270 yards 15.5 ypc and 11 TDs

 

[Jon_Moore]

He's been boringly consistent since coming to NYG, he's averaged just under 16 games, 70 catches, 1075 Yards, and just under 10 TDs. He's probably a very safe bet for 70, 1100 and 10.

He's been dinged up a decent bit during his stay in NYG, but he's been tough as nails and played through the injury. If not for that, the numbers could have potentially really ballooned last year.

Having just won it all, the offense should be full of confidence, but they may look to run a tad more this year with 3 very capable backs on the roster entering the season healthy.

77 Receptions

1193 Yards

11 TDs

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Plaxico Burress when healthy is undeniably a top 10 WR and to some, arguably a top 5 player. I think at this point you have to sprinkle in the knowledge of how good he is and also the fact that he may not be 100 percent, crunch that together and come up with some numbers.

75 receptions for 1100 yards and 11 td's

 

[The Jacket]

65 rec., 950 yards, 9 TD.

 

[Max Power]

Bumping for more recent thoughts.

Please correct me if I am wrong... currently Plax is holding out for a new contract, at the same time claming to injuried?

During the Preseason the other NYG WRs have looked great and the team doesn't seem to be missing him much.

What is going on here fellas?

ETA: Latest from Roto

Plaxico Burress (ankle) has not played in the preseason yet.

Burress has honestly been day to day since 2006. If his inability to practice doesn't have something to do with his contract displeasure, we'd be surprised. The Giants just don't seem to be rushing to extend the 31-year-old's deal.