Plaxico Burress is out of prison, which means the veteran wide receiver will soon be back on the free-agent market. Not every team is interested in the playmaker, however.
The Cleveland Browns could use additional weapons to help second-year quarterback Colt McCoy, but Burress isn't in the discussion, *The Plain Dealer* reported on Tuesday, citing a league source.
Browns coach Pat Shurmur said he feels his team is already well stocked at Burress' position.
"I feel like we've got some veteran receivers," he said. "Although they're younger, they've played NFL seasons, so I'm looking forward to working with the guys that we have. I feel like we have a good team to start and move forward with, and that's the way we're gonna approach it."
Shurmur said character plays a role in players the Browns look for.
"We want to try to bring in players that obviously are competitive, are guys that can win and have good character," he said. "So you always evaluate all those situations in a player. We're trying to do what's best and bring in the best players for the Cleveland Browns. Everything about a player is always evaluated, so I think that's important that we keep that in mind."
The Miami Dolphins are another team looking to rev up their offensive attack, but a source told *The Miami Herald* the Dolphins are "absolutely not" interested in Burress.
A homecoming with the New York Giants, the team Burress achieved Super Bowl glory with in February 2008, is also unlikely.
Sources close to Burress told New York Daily Newsit isn't likely the receiver would return to New York.
Former teammate David Diehl believes Burress will want to move on in his life. Brandon Jacobs, known to be Burress' closest friend on the Giants, initially said it was "out of the question" Burress would return to the Giants before backtracking on those comments on Sirius NFL Radio.
Burress' troubles began in November 2008, when he walked into a Manhattan nightclub with a handgun tucked in the waistband of his pants. The weapon slipped down and discharged as Burress tried to grab it, injuring him in the thigh.
He pled guilty in August 2009 to attempted criminal possession of a weapon and was sentenced to two years in prison. He was released on Monday morning, about three months early for good behavior.
Burress will be 34 by the scheduled start of the 2011 season. Originally selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the eighth overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, Burress has 505 career catches, accumulating 7,845 yards and 55 touchdowns.
Upon his release from prison, Burress' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, indicated a big market for his client.
"He's going to be a top free agent," Rosenhaus said. "There are going to be multiple teams interested in signing him. I expect him to get a good contract. I expect him to absolutely be playing."
