DMN Blog: Can Kevin Burnett be a starter?

[WoodysGirl]

9:55 AM Tue, Feb 03, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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That's a question the Cowboys need to answer before free agency opens at the end of the month.

Zach Thomas and his agent claim he could return to the Cowboys, but that came after his emotional postgame comments in Philadelphia that he probably wouldn't return to Valley Ranch. That leaves a hole in the starting lineup next to Bradie James.

Burnett played well in his role as a nickel and dime linebacker last season. He was also the Cowboys' best special teams player (faint praise perhaps, but true). Can he hold up as an everydown linebacker?

Burnett is listed at 6-3, 242, but that weight seems to be on the heavy side. He's undersized by inside linebacker standards and could be a liability against the run. There are also concerns about his durability after he's battled through shoulder and knee injuries.

Thomas, of course, is also undersized. But he has a much more compact frame. Lanky ILB Donnie Edwards excelled in Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme, but he played behind a 350-pound nose tackle.

If the Cowboys don't believe Burnett is a starter, it will probably be tough to sign him. Odds are that a team, perhaps one that sees him as a 4-3 outside linebacker, will give him a chance to prove he can play every down -- and the paycheck that comes along with that kind of responsibility.

 

[zrinkill]

I so wish we would move back to the 4-3

 

[lqmac1]

As much as I would like for Ray to come here, I say we give Burnett a chance he's young and who knows he might be the next best thing for us.

 

[Asa55]

let him walk

 

[ddh33]

I think that's a big part of the story...

If the Cowboys think that Burnett is starting material, they will probably try harder to bring him back. But for all we know, the Cowboys may think that Carpenter is just as likely a starter as Burnett. In that case, why overpay for a role player?

But I would love to know what they think of who they have here...

 

[Future]

Burnett would just get pounded on as a starter, especially if we don't make any moves at NT.

 

[AsthmaField]

I do think Burnett could be a starter for Phillips. Like they said... Edwards did just fine in Phillips scheme and he is probably smaller than Kevin.

If they think Burnett's head is on straight and that he wasn't part of the problem last season... then they need to go ahead and pay him *decent* starter money and let him have a shot. He's our most athletic LB by far and he's shown the ability in limited playing time to make some big plays.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I do think Burnett could be a starter for Phillips. Like they said... Edwards did just fine in Phillips scheme and he is probably smaller than Kevin.

If they think Burnett's head is on straight and that he wasn't part of the problem last season... then they need to go ahead and pay him *decent* starter money and let him have a shot. He's our most athletic LB by far and he's shown the ability in limited playing time to make some big plays.

I think any issues Burnett has are physical moreso than mental. He's yet to be healthy a full year.

Keep him or let him go, they still need to draft another linebacker.

 

[hendog]

I think any issues Burnett has are physical moreso than mental. He's yet to be healthy a full year.

Keep him or let him go, they still need to draft another linebacker.

If he can't make it thru 1 year covering kicks then how is he going to last at starting MLB?

 

[AsthmaField]

I think any issues Burnett has are physical moreso than mental. He's yet to be healthy a full year.

Keep him or let him go, they still need to draft another linebacker.

I think that you're right about that. I haven't heard anything about him being part of the problem. What I was alluding to more than anything is that I hope the front office looks at every single player to determine if they are going to be part of the solution (distractions, bad practice habits) or part of the problem... and if they think they're part of the problem... get rid of them.

Everyone needs to pull together, and if they don't, then they don't pull in Dallas.

As for drafting a LB... heck, I wouldn't mind seeing them draft about three fast, athletic LB's who have some nastyness to them. I think at minimum, we have to draft at least one.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Hell no... Let him go. Can't stay healthy, not as good as he thinks he is.

He's exactly the type of fringe-starter type player I'd replace if I were running things.

 

[Achozen]

Give Barbie a shot. I can guarantee he'll make as many plays as Thomas made for us last season...

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think any issues Burnett has are physical moreso than mental. He's yet to be healthy a full year.

Keep him or let him go, they still need to draft another linebacker.

Ding.... ding.... ding.......

It would be great if Burnett could be a starter for us but the real issue is that after 5 or 6 games, he's on the shelf.

I hate the fact that a guy like Thomas would not want to come back. I think that says more about where we are at as a team then Thomas and his contract requirements. If Thomas wanted to play on this team, it would not be a question IMO. He's easily the best tackling player we have on our defense.

 

[28 Joker]

The Cowboys were # 4 against the pass in 2008. Good luck replacing his coverage skills. The TEs will really feast on Dallas if he leaves. The SS couldn't cover them last year.

If Ron Brace was drafted, it would benefit him. Burnett can fly, and he will knock your head off (see the Steelers game). He needs to be covered up, though.

Burnett hasn't missed many games at all. He's had some injuries, but he hasn't missed very many games.

He is a good football player, and some team will benefit from his talent.

 

[AsthmaField]

Hell no... Let him go. Can't stay healthy, not as good as he thinks he is.

He's exactly the type of fringe-starter type player I'd replace if I were running things.

What do you think of Steve Octavien... the guy we picked up for special teams late in the season? He seemed incredibly athletic and was always around the ball carrier on special teams.

Do you think Phillips might could do something with him? He sure seemed to have the attitude the defense desperately needs.

 

[McCordsville Cowboy]

He would probably be a stud at WOLB in a 4-3.. a more pyhsical thomas davis and Barbie would prob be a decent SOLB in a 4-3.. oh well..

Poor drafting for the scheme. As much as I liked Bill, he didnt get great LB'rs other than Ware. James is average to me. Not Atheltic enough for Wades scheme.

 

[wileedog]

I do think Burnett could be a starter for Phillips. Like they said... Edwards did just fine in Phillips scheme and he is probably smaller than Kevin..

As the article mentioned, we better get a bigger NT then. Ratliff is great at what he does, but keeping huge offensive lineman off the LBs effectively is not one of those things.

I like Burnett a lot where he is - in fact we should have blitzed him more IMO. I would probably like him as a 4-3 OLB too. Just think he is a liability up the middle as an everydown MLB, and that's before the injury issues.

Honestly, if I were him I would be looking for a 4-3 team too.

 

[Duane]

As has been said a few other times, he's injury prone. That's the last thing you need in a starting ILB.

 

[jazzcat22]

Give Carpenter his chance, finally. Put him in one position and let him play. Can't do any worse than Thomas or if Burnett was given the chance. Why pay big money to find out if he [Burnett] can't play it, or hold up.

We have Carpenter for another year [unless tuna wants to trade for him]. So give him his cahnce that they took away by moving him around.

Also, draft a LB, as an insurance and future [if they let Carpenter walk away]. also, sign a decent veteren LB, but not for big dollars, but has some size and ability, special teams type.

 

[Yoshimitsu]

Please.

Our Middle Linebackers are weak as hell. Outside of Bradie the rest of them are situation players.

Burnett will take a physical beat down if he was a starter. I don't think he would last 3 games.

Carpenter is a diva, his long hair best suits him as he looks like a little girl out on the field.

Zach Thomas is a shell of his former self.