Plaxico Burress: 3 Reasons the Giants Should Bring Back Ex-Con

Plaxico Burress is expected to be released from prison next month, and since he's only 33—not to mention the success Michael Vick had last year—there is a great deal of interest about a possible return to the field.

He still possesses a huge frame, has a few huge playoff moments on his resume and, considering the frequency with which teams use four- and five-receiver sets, should find his way onto the field early.

Who knows which teams will take a flier on Burress once the lockout is lifted, but you'd have to figure several will at least consider it. One of those teams should be his most recent employer—no not the state correctional facilities of New York—the New York Giants.

Here's why.

Although Donovan McNabb's tenure in Washington proved otherwise, teams really don't want to see big-name, potentially "over the hill" players go to a division rival: If they end up panning out, teams end up with egg on their face.

If the Giants don't bring Burress back, there are two NFC East teams that might show serious interest in the former Pro Bowler.

The Redskins corps of wide receivers is going to be extremely young in 2011: Niles Paul and Leonard Hankerson will be rookies and Anthony Armstrong—clearly their best receiver—is only entering his third NFL season.

Just as likely to show interest in Burress are the Philadelphia Eagles, who have two great receivers in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, but could use a big body for the red zone.

Should the Giants pass on Burress, it could come back to bite them twice a year.

The Giants receiving corps was so depleted last season they had to sign Michael Clayton and Derek Hagan off the street in the middle of the season.

Most of that was due to injury: Hakeem Nicks was injured late in the season and so was Steve Smith, their best pass-catcher.

Along with Mario Manningham, Nicks will be back, but Smith might not be.

He's a free agent and worth a great deal of money, but the Giants could be hesitant about giving a long, lucrative contract to a player coming off of a major knee injury.

In case he gets that offer elsewhere, they will have to replace him.

In this year's draft, they selected Jerrel Jernigan, who is extremely talented. But as an undersized player from a smaller school, he might not be ready to play in 2011.

Burress can bridge the gap for at least a season while being a mentor to the youngster from Troy.

The Giants have never been accused of being sentimental. They let David Tyree go only a year after his famous Super Bowl catch.

So maybe it's not surprising that after only a few seasons, many of the stars from that championship team are gone.

Michael Strahan, Antonio Pierce and Amani Toomer have retired. Brandon Jacobs, Mathias Kiwanuka and Steve Smith could be gone by next season. Don't discount what a stroll down memory lane can do for a club that's suffered terrible collapses down the stretch the past two winters.

If they have a chance to bring back the man who caught the winning touchdown in the final two minutes of  that historic victory at very little cost, they should take it.