DMN Blog: Can Kevin Burnett be a starter?

[YosemiteSam]

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

(((chokes zrinkill)))

I'm so sick of hearing that ****! We are a 3-4 DEAL WITH IT!

 

[Chocolate Lab]

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.

I think he's too small to be anything but a special teamer, but he's one reason I'm so excited about this draft. I think we're going to get guys just like him (and like Polk, and like Tra Battle at safety) that are enthusiastic and aggressive and hard-hitting like those guys, but with enough talent to start.

 

[big dog cowboy]

He reminds me of Stanback.

It might be time to move on and try with someone else.

 

[Rampage]

Kevin got hurt so much as a nickel linebacker you guys seriously think he could make it through a quarter of a season before he gets hurt?

 

[CATCH17]

He is to small to put at middle linebacker and we are already light in the britches up the middle because of Ratliff.

If you want Burnett to start I suggest getting a bigger Nose Tackle.

 

[Woods]

If we keep Burnett, we HAVE to get a massive NT.

Otherwise, we need to get a bigger ILB.

Personally, I'd get a big NT in FA, and I'd also try to get a bigger ILB and part ways with both Z Thomas and Burnett.

 

[ddh33]

It has occured to me that you might be able to get Burnett to sign cheaper than Canty...

You might convince yourself that you need another good young defensive lineman to replace Canty, and Spears is getting closer his free agent payday too. You could potentially draft a NT in Round 2 and move Ratliff over to end.

Ratliff's versatility allows you to look at a couple of different options. In this scenario, Burnett would be protected more by a bigger NT, so you might feel more comfortable keeping him and paying him.

 

[AsthmaField]

I think he's too small to be anything but a special teamer, but he's one reason I'm so excited about this draft. I think we're going to get guys just like him (and like Polk, and like Tra Battle at safety) that are enthusiastic and aggressive and hard-hitting like those guys, but with enough talent to start.

I understand what you are saying... but he's listed at 6'0" which is a decent amount taller than Zach Thomas and the same exact height as James Harrison. He's pretty stout and while he might indeed be too small... in Phillips scheme, I've seen plenty of too small defensive guys excel. Indeed, with guys like Harrison, Dwight Freeny, Sam Mills, etc., their lack of height is one of the things that gives them their terrific change of direction and dynamic movement skills. It can actually give them an edge in some ways.

If we still played Parcells system, we would all KNOW he's too small. With Phillips scheme though, I'm not so sure.

Octavien was the most noticable player on special teams the second he set foot in Valley Ranch, and the guy is as dynamic a player as I've seen in a while and he seems to just have a nose for the ball.

Goodness knows I've got excited about these kinds of players before for no reason... but I think he might sneak in and make a good LB for us.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

I can promise you that if Burnett is a starter he will play in 10 or less games. Every year it's something with the guy and he doesnt even start! Imagine when he finally does start and all the pounding he's going to take. I know he's going to want to get paid, and he simply isnt worth it for what he actaully brings to the team.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I understand what you are saying... but he's listed at 6'0" which is a decent amount taller than Zach Thomas and the same exact height as James Harrison. He's pretty stout and while he might indeed be too small... in Phillips scheme, I've seen plenty of too small defensive guys excel. Indeed, with guys like Harrison, Dwight Freeny, Sam Mills, etc., their lack of height is one of the things that gives them their terrific change of direction and dynamic movement skills. It can actually give them an edge in some ways.

If we still played Parcells system, we would all KNOW he's too small. With Phillips scheme though, I'm not so sure.

Octavien was the most noticable player on special teams the second he set foot in Valley Ranch, and the guy is as dynamic a player as I've seen in a while and he seems to just have a nose for the ball.

Goodness knows I've got excited about these kinds of players before for no reason... but I think he might sneak in and make a good LB for us.

Hey, that would be great. We don't just need a starter, we need backups at both positions, too, so I'd love it if he were able to stick around for a while. I've always thought that Parcells put too much emphasis on pure size and not enough on nasty, aggressive attitudes. Of course he and every coach would like both, but those guys are top of the draft type players. I'd trade a couple inches of height and a few pounds of weight for guys that are a little smaller but play with reckless abandon.

 

[28 Joker]

Kevin got hurt so much as a nickel linebacker you guys seriously think he could make it through a quarter of a season before he gets hurt?

Burnett has missed 2 games in the last two years. He's 26, and you are not going to draft or sign anyone who can run like him. He's young and homegrown.

 

[Clove]

I wouldn't mind giving him a chance. I know it would be hard to throw on the guy, he's pretty dang good in coverage.

 

[KingintheNorth]

Jerry almost never lets the guys he likes hit the open market. He usually re-signs them before the free agency period begins. There's stilll some time before March 1 but the fact that Jerry hasn't already re-signed Burnett makes me think he is a goner.

 

[Rampage]

Burnett has missed 2 games in the last two years. He's 26, and you are not going to draft or sign anyone who can run like him. He's young and homegrown.

he's always coming out of games cause he gets hurt. Jerry is stupid if he thinks KB is a starter.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

he's always coming out of games cause he gets hurt. Jerry is stupid if he thinks KB is a starter.

I agree. KB is not a starter in this league. He is a nickle ILB that plays great in coverages, and he will always be that.

 

[BAT]

The real question is, how is Octavien like in coverage. He doesn't have great timed speed.

 

[wileedog]

Burnett has missed 2 games in the last two years. He's 26, and you are not going to draft or sign anyone who can run like him. He's young and homegrown.

And too small to be an every down ILB in a 3-4, unless we put some serious beef in front of him.

Not that I'm against that, just saying.

 

[RealCowboyfan]

I like Bobby Carpenter at that position...