Jerricho Cotchery Would Welcome Plaxico Burress to Jets

Last November, then-Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress accidentally blew a hole in his thigh at a Manhattan night club. Not long after, the Giants "Keyshawn-ed" him, and in April they released the guy who hauled in the Super Bowl-deciding touchdown 14 months prior.

Burress has been in and out of court on illegal gun charges, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg threatened to make an example of him. Assuming Burress avoids time in the slammer, there's a chance he returns to the NFL next season. And not just because his agent Drew Rosenhaus Tweets as much (while running wind sprints!). Some players would gladly welcome Plax into their locker room.

Like, say, Jets wideout Jerricho Cotchery. Via Newsday's Bob Glauber.

"I would welcome him," Cotchery said. "I know a lot of guys would welcome him because they know what kind of player he is. He's a good guy. I enjoy watching him play."

Cotchery said the team should carefully monitor Burress' situation.

"Obviously, the league is coming down on guys, even if you plead or anything like that," he said. "But I would monitor that situation. He's a great player. That was the big difference in the Giants last year. When they needed big catch, someone to make plays, he wasn't there. The year before, he made plays and carried the team to the Super Bowl. He's a guy you have to watch out for."

Cotchery also said he didn't think Burress would have any trouble fitting in, and even Alan Faneca had nothing but laudatory words for his former teammate with the Steelers: "I have good memories of Plax ... You know who he is and what he's about and what he puts together on the field."

And that's the thing: despite numerous off-field issues with the Giants, Burress was mostly trouble-free during his time in Pittsburgh. So he's capable of staying out of trouble, it's just a matter of doing it. For some team in need of a No. 1 receiver -- like, say, the Jets -- it's a risk worth taking.

And save accidentally shooting Rex Ryan in the leg, I can't imagine Burress would be as big a distraction as Brett Favre turned out to be. Not only that, but Mark Sanchez might appreciate the help.