I knew what Jason Avant was going to say before he answered the question. He was asked if he would feel threatened if the Eagles were to sign former New York Giants wide receiver, Plaxico Burress.
“I want him to succeed in whatever he does,” Avant said yesterday in Evesham Township, New Jersey after his workout with Mike Kafka. “If that means Philadelphia, that would be great. We definitely can use him in the red zone, I can tell you that.”
“We can always use a guy that’s a basketball 6-9 and a football 6-7 in the red zone,” Avant said.
I concur with him that they could use Burress in the red zone. As for the acquisition of Burress threatening his job, Avant talked about how he had helped teach DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper the Eagles passing system. He said he’s not threatened in the least.
In the Eagles locker room, Avant is a big brother first then a football player. Fans who don’t get a chance to get up close with the team, probably don’t know why the players were quick to give Avant the Ed Block Courage award. It’s because of his tough upbringing in the ghettos of Chicago, but it’s probably even more because of his influence in the Birds locker room.
Avant has been a steadying voice amongst the players. Yes, he’s a key player on the field as a slot receiver and third converter, but he’s probably just as important when it comes to keeping everybody going in the right direction while counseling and advising his young teammates.
I can remember him staying in DeSean Jackson’s ear during some turbulent times in the young gifted receiver’s time here in Philadelphia. Numerous times I saw him talking to Jackson before the young wide out talked to the media. He’s the guy ushering his teammates into the weekly Bible study on Thursday nights.
He was encouraging Donovan McNabb when all of the verbal guns in town were aimed at him. Avant is one of the players who has been in Michael Vick’s ear, advising him and encouraging him during his time here in Philadelphia.
I could see the receiver being a coach on the college or professional level when he retires.
YEAH, Avant is saying that now. Wait til playing time & catches get taken away from him. Burress is going to have to play a top 3 WR, because he doesn’t play special teams.
LOL@DDCar……. Look at the end of the day….. it’s not about stats…… on a personal/individual level…… It’s about team victories……. Winning makes things more simple……. We know that Avant’s #’s will fall if Plex is on the roster…… But everyone can eat like the GB packers WR core…… They seem to have no problem….. Anyone of those guys can be a solid #1 or 2 on an NFL team……. J. Nelson, Driver, J. Jones, and G. Jennings…….. So why cant we follow suit……..
Avant doesnt talk out of the other side of his mouth. If playing time is taken away from him it will be deep in the red-zone. Avants knowledge of the playbook gaurentees him snaps in this offense.
So not only am i on here saying we need help in the redzone but someone that is on the current eagles roster has said they need help in the redzone, i really think only Gcobb and myself have the most sense on this site. You have the chance to add a big receiver 6’5 220 that is a “proven” RedZone threat! Cmon man even ray charles could see we need a proven red zone threat in the form of a plaxico burress..
Did Plex grow while in Prison,
He’s listed as 6’4″ and using the word proven is a stretch, since he has played zero downs of NFL Football in over 2 years, who knows he he will bounce back,
I thnik he will be able to contribute 10-15 plays a game and mostly down in the red-zone, but to say he can be a major force and place 50-60 snaps a game is a stretch at best..
Onto Jason Avant who is probably one of the nicest players in the NFL will probably be out of the NFL by 2013, he doesn’t not have enough speed, He’s a great person,teammate and mentor but has limited athleticism..
plax is tall and a type of wr we dont have, we need help in the redzone
we could possibly get him on a bargain deal and cut him for anything
he comes out of prison in a phillies hat and vick reached out to him
coach reid possibly wants to help him out and only good can come from it
he will have rust but when he gets in rhythm then what?
everyone will make a huge ordeal how he is playing at a high level
and how smart the eagles are by continuing the trend of helping players out
regardless, stop worrying about the defensive pieces, we will address that
we never just stand pat even if its minor transactions so trust the F.O.
this is just an opportunity to upgrade an already potent offense tremendously
its better than having sinorce moss or a random 5th wr active on gameday
jon hart – i think gcobb is against getting plax not for it and you are delusional if you feel you have sense, let alone being the only one with it, wake up!
avant is a good guy and a hard worker and we all know that
if you’re gonna post something G why dont you interview some eagles
or layout your an orchestrated offseason plan when the CBA gets settled
of course i have my wish list that consists of nnamdi & posluszny
what do you guys feel about the LB position? and other options at CB??
do you wanna make a run at jason babin or charles johnson?
how bout one of the ol from N.O. or even ATL…
Paul, 6’4 6’5 is it really a big deal? He plays big. two years isnt ten years. Get a grip on reality. The guy is healed, healthy and ready to train to make a serious comeback, he plays the easiest position that being wr, he never was a speedster he used his height, strength and leaping ability to go get the ball, cmon man i understand you enjoy being the guy to disagree with most posts but this would make alot of sense and everyone knows it… Whos the redzone threat on this team?
And yest burress is proven, whether he was in the league last yr or not he is a proven redzone threat bottom line…
Womanell, If you would actually read the articles instead of commenting first youd see that Gcobb said he concurs with avant saying they could use burress in the redzone, guy i know football dont play yourself… What do you ever say of logic on this site? Nada, kick rocks
With drafting Watkins,Valverrde and Kelce,
and the return of Jackson,Peters,Herrmans,Justice,McGlynn,Dunlap,& Howard I don’t see the Eagles pursuing an OL at all..
Defensively, I see 2-3 pieces to add
At DE – Charles Johnson or Jason Babin
At DT – B Coefield or B Mebane
At OLB- B Leber,or S Tulloch,or J Anderson, B Rudd
At CB – James Jospeh,or Carlos Rogers,or Ike Taylor or R Marshall
If they can get 2 Players/Postions off this list, they will be in good shape
Paul, nobody cares what you do or don’t ‘see’. You’re the only one concerned with your chrystal ball, or any of your balls for that matter.
That is not true Schiller, Penelope Cruz likes my balls too…
Also, I see a bad case of “Poison Ivy/OaK” hitting you this weekend… Enjoy..
Guys change the topic when there proved wrong, its hilarious. Alota guys on here were saying the eagles dont need plaxico in the red zone, now today we get word that a guy that is on the current roster said they could use him in the red zone… Okay, they do need defensive help but dont turn your head to the fact that they were ineffective in the redzone area, bottom line..We need Plaxico Burress on this team…
jhart – Avant was asked the question by a reporter. That’s the answer you give in that situation. If someone asked Jreu Holiday right now what he would think if Monta Ellis came to the sixers, the correct answer for him to give is “We could definitely use some scoring/shooting from the 2”. If Cliff Lee was asked about the Phillies signing Tim Linsicum, he should say “He could help us in our rotation”. You act like Avant took out an ad in the inquire to say that about Burress. You have some real blinders on when it comes to this issue. We get it.
jhart – gcobb agrees with avants comment, doesnt mean his writing expresses his excitement to do so
its called reading between the lines, theres only 5 names worth to comment on this site
(i barely comment, i follow religiously but im not included in that 5, i choose to do so because i hate wasting time and effort with ppl that cant simply hang…hint: read between those lines…)
those 5 know who they are, i appreciate what you guys write
a fraction of my thoughts make you look elementary
if you read my comments from the other article about plax you wouldnt look stupid yet again, get out ur “funk” or comment better pal…
we dont need ur mediocrity around here, dont be like ernie sims…
He can’t see that, his head is splitting time between Plaxico’s and LeBron’s legs.
The Biggest reason the EAgles Strruggle in the Red-Zone is not have tall targets to throw to, it’s their continued inability to be physical at at the point of attack and Run the ball, If you are a Coach with a system that doesn’t value a strong committment or calur in the running game, then guess what, in the games and especially in the Red-Zone nad short-yardage situations, you probably are not going to be very good at it and this has been a problem with Coach Ar’s Philosophy all these years in my opinion which is why they will never be a real legitimate threat to win a Super Bowl…
HAHAHA!! Makes my day coming on here. We are all sarcastic smart asses, & I love it. Boys go easy on Paul, his monthly meds are done early & he broke his magic 8 ball. Kidding, Paul. 😀 Would be nice to have him, but why waste money on a luxury, when you have so many holes to fill on DF- RCB, LB’s, DE, DT & depth all over. Sign & trade for 2+ DF studs. Man it would be nice to get Asomugha & C. Johnson. Instant NFC Conf. contenders with GB & NO.
Paulman, they already have a solid running game mccoy is more than capable, i ll agree they need to run more, but when in that red zone and teams pack it in to stop the run, the birds gotta have a big time threat in there, someone that can create space and can go up and get the ball,someone like plaxico burress, i may sound like a broken record but its the truth… He makes the most sense…
And Father Andrew could use weight watchers. REID could have the NFC pro bowl team and lose. I hope one day that fat slob rolls outa Philly. He makes me sick. I
I thought Avant would be threatened, but considering the Eagles Offense has shifted far more towards WR passing and Burress would be seen as a red zone target…Brent Celek and whoever the other TE is would be the most effected.
Personally I’d rather see the Eagles pass on Blue Light special Burress and get Vincent Jackson even if that meant trading Micheal Vick and his $22-$24M salary to Washington for McNabb and all of the controversy that that would bring.
The truth of the matter is Burress is old and hasn’t played professional football in two years. The guy could be totally ineffective this season and then what? Vincent Jackson would hit the ground running being almost ten years younger and only out of playing football for 3/4s of a season.
Picking up V Jackson and then trading Vick to the Redskins for McNabb..
Atr you crazy Butch.. I thought I got a little crazy when running out of my meds… Are you ok… Open a window, get some fresh air..
Sorry, Paul you’re resident Gcobb.com headcase and NO ONE will ever be able to take that title from you at this point Paul…you’re just too far gone. I don’t think people should get too comfortable with Vick anyway since the Eagles didn’t work out a long term deal for him while they were negotiating towards the end of the season and before the CBA implosion, given they have Kolb behind him I don’t know why they wouldn’t have just figured out a way to extend Vick beyond a year other then they have reservations about the guy. As badly as Shannahan wants McNabb out of there I wouldn’t be surprised if the Eagles could get a 2nd round pick out of that deal as well.
The other left field thing that could happen that people will need to prepare themselves for is JaMarcus Russel in midnight green. It’s not a guarantee, but given Vick’s age, Kolb’s low trade value after probably every prior Eagles assistant coach turned head coach bashed him the Eagles will need someone and they won’t have franchise QB level draft picks anytime soon. (hopefully). All I have to say is don’t be shocked if it happens.
Which prior Eagles assistant coaches have bashed Kolb, Butch..
Butch, can’t disagree with you regarding Pualman’s lack of sanity. BUT – you are SERIOUSLY giving him a run for his money (unless you’re joking). First, Vick’s on field rebirth (when he actually started playing really well) was AFTER the CBA debachle, so NO, the couldn’t have redone his deal (or at least not wisely). And even if you are correct and Vick doesn’t work out (for any reason), to suggest Russell as the next best or only available QB option…um…. that’s just plain Fing stupid.
what the hell is this jibberish, that Butch is talking about…I haven’t called someone a dumb ass in a long time…Butch tread carefully, my friend!