It isn't the fans that he'd be looking to stick it to, it's the team, and I can see how he'd think that playing well for another team in the same stadium would do that, as it would certainly be played up on TV and talk radio and in the newspapers. If he goes to Dallas or Philly it only gets played up in New York two weeks a year.
I would think he'd want out of N.Y. being it is the place where he got into trouble, not to mention the largest media market in the world. I think he'd get a lot less press in Chicago or Tampa.
But if you want to "stick it" to the Giants, what better way than helping their division rival. If Leon Washington got low-balled by Tannenbaum and wanted to stick it to the Jets, which team do you think he goes to (assuming they are offering similar contracts) the Giants or the Patriots? I understand that playing in the same stadium and city would garner more attention and be a more constant reminder in the media, but are you telling me if he goes to Dallas, Philly, or Washington and tears it up that doesn't warrant more attention than if he plays for the Jets? I don't buy that. And when you add in the fact that he has the chance to beat them in their own home stadium at least once a year in addition to knocking them out of the playoffs in divisional rounds, it isn't even a close comparison. Division Rival > Crosstown Rival
why should the league suspend him? For being a dope? He didn't shoot anybody but himself. Let the brother play.
I'm shocked that some here still think he won't play in '09. Either you don't want to believe he will or you just can't handle the truth. As I've said before, he is DEFINITELY playing in '09. "As far as I'm concerned, if he wants to play this year, he's able to play," Brafman said
You're assuming that knocking a team out of the playoffs is the only way (or even the best way) to "stick it" to a team. Given the egos that many professional athlets have, dismissing the appeal of being in the biggest media market in the world every day with an opportunity to run down the Giants to that media is just silly. Many players on the Giants have publicly supported him, so maybe he's not particularly looking to stick it to them, either, and views the perfect scenario playing against the Giants in the Super Bowl. As I said before, assuming that what a fan would view as the worst case scenario for the Giants is the same as what he would view as the worst case scenario is to my mind unwarranted. Players make lots of decisions that fans don't understand.
I am going to grant you that I don't understand the psyche of the professional athlete (despite what my dominance in Madden games might suggest). But I still think the "best" way to stick it to a team is to play in their division. It all boils down to what happens on the field; so what better way to get back at a team than to "bless" them with your presence twice a year? Look at past examples. TO goes to Dallas to get back at Philly, LaVar Arrington said he wanted to stay in the NFC East to "repay" the Redskins 2X a year, Brett Favre wants to get back at Ted Thompson by playing for a divison rival in the Vikings. Finally, and I say this with as much respect as possible as I do NOT want to seem like I am bashing the Jets, but all signs point to them having a fairly rough season ahead of them. You've got a 1st year HC, rookie QB, lackluster WR corps, and a future HOF QB returning to your most dangerous division rival. Does it really "stick it" to the Giants if Burress plays on a team going 6-10 while the Giants go 11-5 and make the playoffs? The Jets have some great pieces in place and may be a better team down the road, but right now the Giants are the better of the two teams. I know that I am arguing against a quote, but keep in mind it's from "a source close to Burress" so it could be BS or it could just be here say from a friend of Gloxico's. I hope you guys are right and he does end up playing for the Jets, I would much rather him go there than to any team in the NFC East.
