Plaxico Burress is perhaps the most high-profile NFL free agent who remains unsigned. But he knows where he wants to go: The Carolina Panthers.

"No doubt about it," Burress told WFNZ in Charlotte.

"My brother lives right there in Charlotte, my cousin lives there in Charlotte, and all my family is there in Columbia, South Carolina. It would just be a great situation all the way around and being close to everybody.

"Not just that, but playing with Cam (Newton), who I think is one of the top five quarterbacks in all of football, and as long as I can remember (wideout) Steve Smith has been one of my favorites. I just think it's a great situation."

In reality, any job would probably be a great situation for Burress, who's also expressed great interest in playing with Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles.

After spending nearly two years in prison on a weapons charge in New York, Burress returned in 2011 to catch 45 balls for 612 yards and eight TDs for the Jets. But the 6-5 target believes he has far more to offer with the rust off.

"I feel great," said Burress, who will be 35 this season. "Last year, I was really just trying to get my legs under me from the two-year layoff, and I think people are going to be surprised by the shape I'm in. I got my spring back, and I'm just waiting (to sign with a team), and I think everyone else will see for themselves."

And he hopes the witnesses include Newton, Smith, head coach Ron Rivera et al. in Carolina.

"I just want to put myself in a position to go out and have success, and to go out and make guys around me better. And obviously play with a quarterback who can really play the position," said Burress. "It's about me picking my spots and seeing where I'm a good fit.

"You just look at a situation like Carolina, and you can't come across a better situation than that."

Hat tip: SportsRadioInterviews.com