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Morris says Bucs have not discussed signing Burress

By ANWAR RICHARDSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 16, 2009

TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were rumored to be very interested in acquiring former New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress, but head coach Raheem Morris says that speculation was untrue.

Morris was asked about his team's interest in Burress after Tuesday's mandatory minicamp and said there has been no dialogue about acquiring the troubled receiver.

"To be honest with you, there was never really discussion about bringing him in," Morris said. "He has close friends on our team [Derrick Ward and Antonio Bryant] and he contacted those guys and showed interest himself. We got no problem with that."

Burress faces two second-degree felony charges, which carry a minimum sentence of 3-1/2 years in prison, after a November incident in which he shot himself in the leg with an unlicensed gun at a New York City night club.

His next court date is Sept. 23, at which time he could face indictment. If indicted, a trial likely will not occur until 2010, leaving Burress free to play the 2009 season.

He also could be suspended for violating the league's personal conduct policy, though NFL commissioner Roger Goodell may wait for the outcome of the court proceedings.

Many reports said Tampa Bay was interested in acquiring Burress and lining him up with Bryant, but Morris said Tampa Bay has not been monitoring the receiver.

"I don't know if you ever monitor it. You can't help but monitor it with the coverage it's getting on ESPN. If I look at TV, I guess you can say I'm monitoring it," Morris said. "We're aware. He's aware of what's going on."

Morris would not rule out Tampa Bay pursuing Burress in the future, but said the receiver's situation needs more clarity before any decisions are made.

"He's a great player," Morris said. "Anytime you get a chance to add a great player to your team, you've definitely got to have some sort of interest, but again, we're talking about a ghost [a player who isn't around].

"We don't know what's going on with his legal problems. We don't know what's going on with his suspension with the league. All of that stuff. Until that stuff is resolved, it's not even worth talking about in my opinion."

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