Plaxico Pardoning Speculation Not As Ridiculous As It Seems

So who's interested in committing political suicide this week? You there, with the inappropriate comment about Ted Kennedy? No? You'll hold off? Okay.

Yes, embattled New York Gov. David Paterson, step right up! There are rumors circulating that you might pardon the recently convicted former Giants receiver Plaxico Burress of all charges stemming from his whole capping himself in the leg incident. That is a particularly grisly political suicide, sir.

Thing is, in all likelihood Paterson is on his way out of office next year anyway, by way of his staggering lack of popularity -- recent polling shows him trailing primary opponent state attorney general Andrew Cuomo by 34 points. He doesn't stand to lose a whole lot if he does go through with the pardoning.

In the event the unlikely does happen, a lot of questions immediately spring up: Just how much outrage would flow forth if Plaxico gets the instant pardoning treatment? More or less than Vick's return? As surprising as the move would be, the sentiment that his two-year sentence for shooting himself is excessive is gaining traction. However much they might crack jokes about the incident, a lot of people don't like Michael Bloomberg making an absurd example out of the guy. Would Roger Goodell step in and issue a suspension (possibly exceeding Donte' Stallworth's full year) in the vacuum of punishment from the judicial system?

Absent any indication from the governor's office that this will happen, all the compelling cases in the world don't mean much, but as it stands weird political circumstances completely out of his control could work out in Plaxico's favor.

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.