NFL Star, Plaxico Burress

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In this year's Super Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona, the players that have been getting the most attention are Tom Brady and Randy Moss of the New England Patriots and Michael Strahan and Eli Manning of the New York Giants. However, not too much has been said about Plaxico Burress, the outspoken wide receiver for the New York Giants, other than the words that have been coming out of his mouth. Burress, or Plax, a nickname that he is often referred to, predicted that the New York Giants would defeat the New England Patriots by a score of 23-17.Many feel that he is putting pressure not only on himself but on his Giants teammates as well. Patriot wide receiver, Randy Moss, said, He is entitled to say anything, but the only thing about a prediction is that you have got to make it happen. I think the pressure is more on them now since they've guaranteed this victory. Patriot quarterback, Tom Brady's response to Burress was a bit more light-hearted. Brady responded by saying, Only going to score 17 points? Is Plax playing defense? I wish he'd said like 45-42 or something like that. At least he'd give us a little more credit for scoring a few points. However, Burress feels that when you step on the playing field of any type of competition, you are not looking to tie or come in second. You are looking to win. Burress went on to say, When [the Giants] step on the field, we intend to win. That's why you play. You don't play and say, Ok, I played good enough and we lost.' I don't know of anybody who thinks like that as a player. When you step on the field, you're supposed to be confident enough to say, Hey, we want to win this football game.' That's just the bottom line of any athlete. We want to win.Plaxico Burress can afford to have this kind of confidence because he and his teammates were the only team this season that came close to putting a blemish on the New England Patriots' undefeated season. The Giants lost 38-30 in their only meeting with the Patriots in the last game of the season on December 30th. Burress caught two touchdown passes in that first meeting at Giants Stadium. He has quietly had an all pro type of season despite playing on an ankle that he initially injured in the Giants' season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on September 9th, which he aggravated in the very next game against the Green Bay Packers. It remains to be seen how healthy his ankle will be during the big game.Plaxico Burress' toughness has continually been questioned from the start of his career. But, it is Burress' toughness that will make the difference in the game. Everyone has been talking about the size, speed, athleticism, and abilities of New England Patriots receiver, Randy Moss. What most people don't realize is that, at a strapping 6ft 5in. tall, the 232 pound Plaxico Burress has the same type of skills set and will be a formidable force on the offensive. On this Super Bowl Sunday, Burress will definitely be playing with a chip on his shoulder. He will be a tough cover for the Patriots' secondary.Burress has come a long way since his rookie season. Over time, he has matured into a savvy NFL veteran who, through trials and tribulations, has become one of the most respected professionals in football.So, as you are sitting in front of either your own or a friend's flat screen, projection, or black and white (WOW! Did we say that?) television, or, if you are listening to the Super Bowl on the radio this Sunday, remember the name Plaxico Burress or just Plax. This is not only a name that you will remember now but a name that you will continuously hear being mentioned for years to come.