#42 - 2nd Round - Dallas Kevin Burnett, LB Tennessee

[Hostile]

Cowboys select...Kevin Burnett, LB Tennessee.

[DallasEast]

Khalif Barnes, OT, Washington

[Nors]

Blackstock!

Odell Thurman ILB

Corey Webster - FS

Mathis - WR

[Shotgun Dave]

Barnes would be a blessing should he fall to Dallas.

Bullocks, Burnett, Blackstock, Jerome Mathis...lots of options here.

[flashback]

Barnes, Bullocks or T. Murphy

[jterrell]

Barnes, Thurman, Terrance Murphy, Burnett
Jerome Mathis.

Pretty good fall to us again. Especially the inside OL run.

[adbutcher]

Blackstock!

[JsnSA]

Dan Cody is still left too right?

Would you take him? He has dropped a lot. A lot of value in him. Even though we already took a DE.

[Woods]

Miller, or
M. Johnson, or
Tuck

[DallasEast]

Dan Cody is still left too right?

Would you take him? He has dropped a lot. A lot of value in him. Even though we already took a DE.Cody would be a good pickup, but we've already invested twice in this draft basically at the DE position. We're going to be looking to plug another position, imo.

[StonetheCrow77]

FS, RT, or WR...

[Nors]

Cody is BPA on my board.

Thurman/Blackstock are there as well at LB. This just might be the draft to stock up on D. We can buy a year at WR.

[StarHead69]

Blackstock - Bullocks - Barnes - Hawthorne

I wanted Bradley in the 4th, I guess he really climbed today!

[Woods]

Blackstock - Bullocks - Barnes - Hawthorne

I wanted Bradley in the 4th, I guess he really climbed today!

I thought that was a HIGH pick for Bradley

[MichaelWinicki]

Some nice players still left...

[Woods]

Some nice players still left...

Heck, maybe we trade down?

[StonetheCrow77]

Heck, maybe we trade down?

not many teams trading...

[MichaelWinicki]

not many teams trading...

No there aren't are there?

[Woods]

not many teams trading...

That's for sure. Quite a few good players still here. Well, I guess that's what they said before the draft - the value was right around this area.

[Shotgun Dave]

Dan Cody is still left too right?

Would you take him? He has dropped a lot. A lot of value in him. Even though we already took a DE.

He's available and, yes, I would take him and make him a 3-4 LB.

I thnk he's great value here, no doubt. But if Barnes is there he solves a problem for us on the line.

Bullocks just went...that sucks.

[StarHead69]

Now its Vince Fuller VT or S. Considine IA in the fourth? Or do we reach for a FS at #42?

[jterrell]

The question with Cody is does he pass all the mental tests as far as his depression and stuff.

And if you are going to deal with that do you want to go to a position you have filled twice.

[StonetheCrow77]

Guys on ESPN radio said most GMs are grading the players too close to matter right around this area.... no need to trade... don't like one guy, another works...

[JsnSA]

Since the top FSs are gone...Marlin Jackson will surely be considered.

following is ESPN blurb about him.

The dish: After slipping early in the offseason, has made a nice recovery over the last two months, and really rehabilitated his stock. The fact he can also play free safety, along with his size, will probably get him into the final quadrant of the first round.

[Shotgun Dave]

Trade Down And Get A 4th!

[jterrell]

Since the top FSs are gone...Marlin Jackson will surely be considered.

following is ESPN blurb about him.

The dish: After slipping early in the offseason, has made a nice recovery over the last two months, and really rehabilitated his stock. The fact he can also play free safety, along with his size, will probably get him into the final quadrant of the first round.
long gone.

[marchetta]

Goose has talked me into T. Murphy. Huddlereport says he has the potential to be the next Marvin Harrison. They also say he has 1st rd talent.

[Shotgun Dave]

Since the top FSs are gone...Marlin Jackson will surely be considered.

following is ESPN blurb about him.

The dish: After slipping early in the offseason, has made a nice recovery over the last two months, and really rehabilitated his stock. The fact he can also play free safety, along with his size, will probably get him into the final quadrant of the first round.

Jackson went to Indy at 29, Dude.

That's why a trade down would be good.

[fortdick]

Need to look to the offense, gang. Defense looks good now, but we need a WR and an OT. Hell, Pete hunter wants to help the team by moving to safety. Gotta love team players like him and Ricky Williams.

[StonetheCrow77]

Goose has talked me into T. Murphy. Huddlereport says he has the potential to be the next Marvin Harrison. They also say he has 1st rd talent.

Him, Barnes or Blackstock... they all work for me...

[JsnSA]

Damn...all of a sudden I was suprised to see M. Jackson still hanging in there.

Now I dont know what in the hell made me think that in the first place.

Had me feeling all giddy for a minute there thinking we could snag him this late.

Now I just feel stupid. lol

Worst part is evertime I read a thread when someone says "maybe we can still get so in so"...and so in so is gone...I'm wondering what the hell they are watching.

And then I go and do the same.

[jterrell]

Damn...all of a sudden I was suprised to see M. Jackson still hanging in there.

Now I dont know what in the hell made me think that in the first place.

I got all giddy for a minute there.

now I just feel stupid. lol
no biggie dude easy to miss scratching a guy off. gotta release the beer sometime.

[Nors]

Blackstock?

[Shotgun Dave]

It's a trade.

[QT]

Barnes

[StonetheCrow77]

Blackstock?

you know who I mean... fubar

[MichaelWinicki]

We reach and I'll snap!

[MichaelWinicki]

A trade would be good.

[Shotgun Dave]

Time is out. WHat's the deal?

[MichaelWinicki]

Good value pick.

[Eagles-UK]

dammit dammit dammit , i wanted him as an eagle,

nice pick, and he will be reunited with witten

[StonetheCrow77]

He works too... you knew they had to take a TN guy...

[jterrell]

I think he'll be a better pro than DJ.

[Juke99]

Kevin Burnett, OLB, Tennessee
Height: 6:02.5 Weight: 237

Overview: Kevin Burnett considered early entry into the 2004 NFL Draft, but decided to return to Tennessee for his senior season. Coming back from 2002 knee surgery, he felt he needed another year at the collegiate level to prove to the pro scouts that he was fully recovered. Burnett went out and had a banner senior campaign, delivering momentum-changing plays on a regular basis. The two-time Academic All-Southeastern Conference member, who earned his Sports Management undergraduate degree in May 2003, was also named to the AFCA and SEC Good Works teams. Well-respected by his Volunteers staff, assistant head coach John Chavis recently stated, "Burnett is a tremendous talent with big-play capability. He's extremely smart and gives us a great look with his pass rush off the edge." Burnett was a Prep Star All-American free safety at Dominguez (Carson, Ca.) High, where he intercepted seven passes as a senior. He also garnered All-League honors as a running back after rushing for 650 yards and 16 touchdowns on 48 carries. Selected to the "Best of the West" team by the Long Beach Press-Telegram, he led his team to the state playoffs in 1998 and 1999. Burnett immediately earned playing time as a true freshman at Tennessee in 2000, appearing in 11 contests as a free safety early in the year and at weak-side linebacker after midseason. He finished with 11 tackles (10 solo) and a pair of sacks. Burnett started two of 11 games at weak-side linebacker in 2001, posting 52 tackles (33 solo) with 3.5 sacks, 6.5 stops for losses and a forced fumble. He took over the weak-side slot in 2002, but suffered a knee injury in the season opener vs. Wyoming that forced him to miss the rest of the year. He returned to action in 2003, starting the final 12 games. Burnett appeared tentative throughout the season as he continued to recover from 2002 knee problems. While the school credited him with 90 tackles (65 solo), 1.5 sacks, 7.5 stops for losses and eight pressures, upon review of film he was charted as having 63 tackles, including 42 solo. 2004 was a different story, as his team second-best total of 120 tackles (90 solo) are unquestioned and he won AFCA All-American and All-Southeastern Conference first-team honors. However, he only had a career-low one sack, six stops for losses and one pressure. In 49 games as a Volunteer, Burnett had 28 starts. He finished his career with 274 tackles (199 solo) with eight sacks for minus-76 yards, 23 stops for losses of 122 yards, 10 quarterback pressures, three fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, seven pass deflections and an interception. Burnett is a street-smart kid who was raised by his mother. He overcame some bad influences earlier in his life and except for having a fight with a basketball player a few years ago, has been compliant and a good mentor for the younger athletes in the Vols' program. He joined tackle Michael Munoz as the first two-time team captains in school history since J.G. Lowe (1924-25).

Analysis: PositivesBurnett is a powerful linebacker who looks good on eye contact, as he has a muscular frame with great speed and strength. He has an explosive burst coming off the edge and while he does show good hand placement, will sometimes try to overpower the offensive linemen, resulting in struggles attempting to shed when working in-line. He is a very confident athlete that loves the challenge. He has made good improvement to play under control, but needs to improve his read and react ability near the line of scrimmage. His reactionary problems arise when he has to play man and zone coverage, as his stiff hips prevent him from getting good acceleration coming out of his backpedal and he is slow to react to the thrown ball. He will also bite on play action. He plays better when working in space, as he can generate a good thud behind his hits when attacking ball carriers in the open. He relies mostly on his speed to cover up his marginal ball reaction skills, but he loses his range when he takes false steps to the ball or eyes the quarterback too long. Burnett stays focused and carries out his assignment in run force. He can adequately hit and shed in on-on-one action when he brings his hands up quickly. Burnett has the speed to run with most tight ends and backs in the short area, but would rather play in space than cover. He takes good angles to the ball in run force and uses his hands effectively to disengage and shed blocks. His short area explosion allows him to be a disruptive force in the backfield. However, he struggles to defeat the reach block on the blitz and while he has the burst to close on the quarterback, he does not do this with consistency (momentum will take him out of the play, as his stiff hips prevent him from generating sharp stop-and-go action). Burnett is not considered a solid pass rusher, as he does not have effective rip and club moves to split double teams, nor does he deliver a fluid swim move to get an edge and slip off blocks. On fakes and play action, a smart quarterback can make Burnett bite. He peaks into the backfield quite a bit and is prone to taking false steps to the ball, as he is slow to read and react in the box (has better reactions when he has a clear lane working off the edge). He is a solid tackler with the range and power to drive the lead blocker back into the hole. Burnett is very effective blitzing off the edge, but seems to generate a better burst when he comes off the snap with his hand on the ground rather than when standing in a normal linebacker's stance. He plays with good urgency, but there are times (especially in pass coverage) where it looks like Burnett shuts down his motor. He lacks ideal knee bend and does not bring his feet when tackling. When he is late to locate the ball, he will revert to playing with a reckless nature and this causes him to have problems breaking down in space. Burnett is more comfortable working in space, as he likes to use his speed to avoid rather than utilize his strength to take on the offensive lineman. His range allows him to make plays outside the box, where he can make crunching tackles on the move. He lacks natural hands and is more apt to deflect a pass rather than intercept it, as he does not have the ball skills to look the pass in and catch away from his frame. Some scouts compare him to the Titans' Keith Bulluck, but Burnett's inability to locate the ball or eye the quarterback in passing situations is enough to convince me that he is not the complete player some would like you to believe. He fits and folds well, appearing to have the ability to play a nine-tech. But he has vision problems working the deep zone and does a poor job of building off of receivers and needs to get better depth in his pass drops. In a draft that is lacking in quality linebackers, some team will overlook his pass coverage deficiencies and draft him much higher than his grade indicates. I like him and feel his speed, power and special teams coverage ability will bring value. I just do not feel he is worthy of a pick in the first two rounds.

Negatives

Agility tests: 4.63 in the 40-yard dash...440-pound bench press...500-pound squat...300-pound power clean...33-inch vertical jump...32 5/8-inch arm length...9 -inch hands.

High school: Attended Dominquez (Carson, Cal.) High, playing football for coach Keith Donerson. ... Member of the 1999 Prep Star All-America team. ... Second-team All-State selection and named to the "Best of the West" team by the Long Beach Press-Telegram. ... Had seven career interceptions from his free safety position. ... Named first-team All-League as a running back. ... At running back, he had 48 carries for 650 yards and 16 touchdowns during his senior season. ... Led the team to the state playoffs in 1998 and 1999.

Personal: Sports Management major, earning Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll recognition in 2002. ... Born Kevin Bradley Burnett on 12/24/82. ... Resides in Carson, California.

Information provided by NFLDraftscout.com, powered by The Sports Xchange

[Kevlee06]

good pick. Good value. Defense looking better and better.

[Woods]

I think he'll be a better pro than DJ.

Why?

I hope you're correct, of course!

[adbutcher]

Those are bold words JT, I hope so.

[Crown Royal]

Do we keep him outside or move him to Middle (or ILB?)

[jterrell]

Those are bold words JT, I hope so.
I know, but he is more of a physical guy and I think he was a better fit in a lot of systems, specifically ours.

Ryan Young made the same ocmments a few weeks ago.

KC has lots of problems on defense but should be much improved. Still not sure about a speed guy playing those Denver OL 2x per year.

[NicholasD]

Not much to say about this pick except it's a great value and I love it. Talk about an awesome first day.

[jterrell]

Do we keep him outside or move him to Middle (or ILB?)
I think he can start at OLB over Singleton or James.

[zagnut]

Another guy that can play in a 3-4 or 4-3, though more (all?) of his experience is in a 4-3. Love the pick.

[Nors]

6-3 239 RUNS 4.55 4.6

Plays stout at point of attack, Blue chip LB with skills to start immediately.Player with leadership skills to be future Pro Bowler - draftinsiders.

[Bobo]

I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOO happy :D Yes, I'm a Vol homer :D

I'm suprised he went this far down, I think he's worth it easily. I think he will play ILB in a 3-4. He takes on blocks well, even though he's not the biggest LB (was 239 at the combine, 230 at his Pro Day and ran a 4.57). I think they'll want him around 240, and I think him and Dat inside will be good with Furgy at nose.

I gotta go do some back flips now ;)

[Avery]

What a great first day. Three impact defenders all with starting capability.

[StarHead69]

Solid

Well guys, our Defense got a LOT better today. Good Job JJ & BP.

[marchetta]

Good value pick.

Huddlereport says he's a late 1st early 2nd player. And that he's a good player that's going to be a core player for his team. And that he can be dependent upon to be in the right place at the right time by his teammates. I'd copy/paste the analysis, but I don't think Drew Boylhart would like that.

[marchetta]

Huddlereport:

Strengths
Good size and speed. Good in pass & run defense. He good strength and a sure tackler. Good leadership. Makes players around him better. Smart and good teammate. He has excellent athlete. Reminds him of Keith Bullock.


Needs to Improve
Better burst and recovery quickness. I don’t think it’s a problem; it’s just the tapes that I have of him showed a very smooth player and maybe his speed is deceiving.


Bottom Line
Safe and solid pick for a team in the later part of the 1st round to early 2nd round. He will work hard to become a core player for his team and a player his teammates and coaches can depend on to always be in the right place according to the game plan. Players like this are very valuable at the next level. I don’t see on film the burst to the ball that I like to see in an impact LB, but something tells me that it’s there and it just needs to be brought out of him. I don’t think that the team that picks Kevin at any point in this draft will be disappointed or let down by him. I know that he is rated as a first rounder and that this profile is telling you that Kevin is a first rounder. This may seem like the easy way out for me, but to be honest, Kevin is just a good player and he makes it easy to profile him. He is just what you see on film, 1st round talent that should be picked in the 1st round. Kevin (Easy) Burnett.

[Bobo]

In one mock I did I had Burnett going at 20....yet I thought it was a reach. Man either it was more of a reach than I thought or he's a steal. I'm going with Steal ;) I also had Spears at 11....ah that was just another steal at 20 ;)

[InmanRoshi]

Compares to Keith Bullocks

[adbutcher]

not a bad comparison.

[MichaelWinicki]

Ourlads had him the 27th rated player on their board.

Reminds me some of Darrin Smith.

[Bobo]

Compares to Keith Bullocks

Keith Bulluck. Not quite the athlete Bulluck is, won't be as good in pass coverage, but does take on blockers better. Both are safeties turned LB.

[Pointguard01]

If he can play effectively at ILB in a 3-4 defense, this should be a great pick.