According to USA Today, Plaxico Burress is lobbying to join the Carolina Panthers.
""My brother lives right there in Charlotte," Burress told Charlotte's WFNZ. "My cousin lives there in Charlotte, and all my family is there in Columbia, South Carolina. It would just be a great situation all the way around and being close to everybody."
Burress recorded 45 receptions in 2011 after missing the previous two seasons while he served a prison term.
Burress exited the league just months after signing a lucrative 5-year deal with the New York Giants. The deal was earned in part by his game-winning TD grab in Super Bowl XLII.
Upon his release from prison, Burress expressed interest in joining with DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick in Philadelphia. He would ultimately end up, however, with the New York Jets.
Despite his decent numbers last season, the Jets have expressed no interest in brining back one of the larger targets in the league. Furthermore, the division rival Dolphins, publicly announced that they lacked interest in the receiver as well. The very same Dolphins signed Chad Ochocinco days later.
Ochocinco played on the AFC Champion Patriots last season, but only hauled in 15 catches. Like Burress, he too is a former start receiver that has passed his prime.
Unlike Burress, Ochocinco is employed. As training camp nears, Burress is still looking for a home.
Whether that home will be in Carolina is yet to be seen. Burress pointed to Cam Newtwon's early success and the veteran leadership of Steve Smith as reasons why he feels the Panther offense would be a good landing spot.
If Carolina decides to pass, Burress is still likely to make a roster in 2012. With the preseason comes the inevitable, league wide rash of injuries. When a team that lacks significant receiver depth has a top player go down, it will be tough to ignore an available Burress.
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