Say what? Burress talks the talk

By Paul Eide  |   Thursday, November 09, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Chicago Bears
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!

Hasn't it become somewhat passé to call out or disrespect an upcoming foe in an attempt to fire up your teammates? When does it ever end positively for the instigator? Chad Johnson tried it last week and the Bengals lost. Kellen Winslow Jr. also tried it last weekend and the Browns lost.

It seems especially odd in the case of Plaxico Burress, who wasn't even healthy enough to play in last week's game. The temperamental Burress opened his mouth to reporters after Thursday's practice, a practice Burress wasn't healthy enough to participate in, and shared his thoughts on facing the Bears and the top-ranked passing defense in the NFL.

"I don't think they're the best corners I've played against or we've played against this year. By far, no," said Burress. "Those guys make plays on balls that are thrown straight to them, but they're not just covering guys straight up and just shutting them down. I haven't seen any of that."

Unless he has a sleeping disorder and dozed off during film study, it should be pretty obvious why the Bears aren't 'covering guys straight and beating them'; the Bears don't play that style of defense. The Cover 2 is designed to lock down certain zones on the playing field, not the individual.

Statistically, Burress has had a very solid year prior to being held out of last week's game with back spasms, averaging 16.5 yards per catch and scoring five touchdowns in seven games. However, it's almost as though his potential and inability to maximize it has been the thing his pro career is most noted for, his immense talent proving impossible to live up to. Burress' short-sighted comments do nothing to dispel the notion of him being a player whose attitude usually hinders his performance before opposing defenses even get the chance to.

Whether Burress likes it or not, he is not the focal point for the Bears' defense this week. That title belongs to the NFL's leading rusher, Tiki Barber, who is the key to the Giants' offensive scheme. The entire offense flows through him just as the entire Bears' defense revolves around Brian Urlacher, and the two will engage in a wonderful chess match before a national TV audience on Sunday night.

The Giants may be forced into action without their top two wide receivers, placing the load squarely on Barber's shoulders more this week than ever before. In addition to Burress' back injury, the Giants learned this week that starting wide receiver Amani Toomer will be out for the rest of the year because of a season-ending knee injury.
With Toomer out for sure and Burress looking more doubtful with each passing day, the Giants could be forced to start inexperienced backups Tim Carter and David Tyree at the wide receiver position and rotate in rookie Sinorice Moss.

Injuries have also hit the defensive side of the ball as the Giants will definitely be without pass-rushing ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora and starting linebacker LaVar Arrington. Questionable for the game are starting linebackers Carlos Emmons and Brandon Short and cornerback Sam Madison.

The Giants are as thin as they could possibly be and still be competitive. The Bears are facing New York at its weakest moment and must win this first game to ensure the three-game road trip will be a springboard rather than their undoing.

Even if Burress is able to play, it will take more than that for the Giants to walk away with an easy victory. Burress may be able to talk the talk, but walking the walk against this Chicago defense is quite another story. Need proof? Just ask Roy Williams.

Follow the Chicago Bears season at RealFootball365.com
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report