"The black bracelet around Santonio Holmes' right arm reads: "Free Plex AKA Black" on one side and on the other "Go Getter's Pain." It was a tribute to his friend that he wore the day that the troubled wide receiver went to prison back in 2009 and one he's kept it on ever since.

Burress got one sent to him in the correctional facility.

He showed it to Rex Ryan the day after Holmes' deal was signed, when Ryan asked Holmes what kind of person Burress was. Excited, Holmes took the opportunity to do some recruiting.

"From the first time coach Rex and (GM Mike) Tannenbaum sat in the office and they asked me what do I think about this guy, the first thing I did was show them my bracelet and understanding that a football player is a football player, regardless of what goes on. The only major setbacks they have are injuries.

"He asked me what I thought of him and I said 'give me his number, and I'll tell you.' I called him that night and he was signed the next day."

Holmes called it a "blessing" to play alongside his longtime friend again and agreed with what Burress said Sunday night, that together they'll be difficult to cover. The two stood together during an offensive team walk through and joked with one another; also getting some time in to talk with quarterback Mark Sanchez."