DMN Blog: Kevin Burnett has hard feelings about departure from Dallas

[WoodysGirl]

2:04 PM Fri, Apr 03, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips

T.O. isn't the only ex-Cowboy who didn't appreciate the way he was treated on his way out the Valley Ranch door this off-season.

LB Kevin Burnett, who signed a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Chargers, felt the Cowboys disrespected him by signing Keith Brooking before trying to get a deal done with him.

"What other choice did I have but to leave?" Burnett told the North County (Calif.) Times. "They brought in another linebacker and then they tried to sign me, which to me was a slap in the face. On top of that, they wanted me to sign the same kind of deal, and I wasn't willing to do that."

Burnett also wasn't pleased with the fact that he was never given an opportunity to win a starting job with the Cowboys. The former second-round pick's contributions came in defensive sub packages and on special teams.

"They pigeonholed me into a certain role. There's no doubt about that," Burnett said. "It was frustrating, which is why I'm looking forward to this fresh start."

The Cowboys might miss Burnett, who was their best coverage linebacker and special teams player. But time will tell if Burnett, who got banged up a lot, is right that he's worthy of a larger role.



http://www.***BANNED-URL***/images/ice3/icons/blog.gif Comments (14) Leave comment | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail entry

 

[tomson75]

You're in SD now?

Break a leg!

 

[Rampage]

well maybe if you weren't coming off the field all the time cringing in pain while holding an arm or hamstring in only limited playing time they would've given you a chance.

 

[Stash]

Borrowing from The Count...

 

[the kid 05]

You're in SD now?

Break a leg!

that could happen seeing how hes made of glass

 

[RS12]

Another guy whose mouth is writing checks that his production cant cash.

 

[CATCH17]

He deserved an opportunity but unfortunately he didn't get a chance.

A lot of that had to do with his tackling abilities.

I appreciate the job he did while he was here. He was a good player for us.

 

[slick325]

He deserved an opportunity but unfortunately he didn't get a chance.

A lot of that had to do with his tackling abilities.

I appreciate the job he did while he was here. He was a good player for us.

I agree with you on that. He deserved at least a shot. Oh well. He played well for Dallas and I wish him luck in SD.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I agree with you on that. He deserved at least a shot. Oh well. He played well for Dallas and I wish him luck in SD.

How is playing about 40% of all defensive snaps not getting a shot? The dude got 400 plays a year and couldn't make tackles, plays and generally backs and TEs torched him. John Carlson had his breakout game thanks to the guy.

 

[Hostile]

He never lived up to my hopes and expectations.

He wasn't "given" a chance? Great players make teams "give" them a chance.

Earn it Kevin.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Perhaps if you'd spent less time on the injury list and more time on the field then you would have been signed long before Brooking.

Peace Kevin. Hopefully you do well in SD.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

This is exactly why this crybaby had to go.

Bet you anything the coaches picked up on this and it was the main reason they didn't want him back.

Good riddance, Kevin. In about three weeks we'll pick up a player who's just as good as you minus the attitude.

 

[slick325]

How is playing about 40% of all defensive snaps not getting a shot? The dude got 400 plays a year and couldn't make tackles, plays and generally backs and TEs torched him. John Carlson had his breakout game thanks to the guy.

I meant he deserved a shot at competing for the starting job this season. He got ample playing time and performed pretty well in his role.

Hos makes a good point too, he could have made the Cowboys give him that shot by playing even better or showing in practice that he deserved the spot.

 

[Temo]

When did football players get all prima donna and sensitive all of a sudden? He felt "disrespected"? Either sign on the dotted line or go on your way, no need to cry about it.

 

[tomson75]

that could happen seeing how hes made of glass

Lmao....my suggestive powers know no bounds!

 

[Aven8]

Is the the same Burnett that got ran over by 2nd and 3rd stringers in Preseason????????

 

[TheCount]

He never lived up to my hopes and expectations.

He wasn't "given" a chance? Great players make teams "give" them a chance.

Earn it Kevin.

You know what he means, and he's right.

Who was the last player to win a starting job here over an incumbant starter? Nobody won Roy's job, Nobody won Julius Jones' Job, Nobody won Patrick Craytons job, Nobody won Greg Ellis' job till they just handed it to Spencer, Nobody won Anthony Henry's job. Nobody could even be found to beat Nate Jones and Jacques Reeves in fair competition till their contracts were up. Ratliff couldn't even beat out Jason Ferguson till he got injured after playing just 1 game all season.

Burnett isn't a great player, that's true. But at this point neither is Keith Brooking, and we all know that if Burnett had stayed, Brooking would be the starter.

Zach Thomas "won" the starting job here over Burnett, for what? He didn't even like the position Burnett actually WANTS to play. It took Barber years of beating people up to get his shot to start, and Julius' contract had to expire for that to happen.

This team is not exactly known for giving the underdog a real shot to upset the established guy, unless we bring someone in from somewhere else. Here, starting jobs are assigned, not won.

 

[Doomsday101]

I hold no grudge on Burnett and wish him the best. In his mind he did not get the opportunity and sometime that is the way things go.

 

[Bluefin]

This team is not exactly known for giving the underdog a real shot to upset the established guy, unless we bring someone in from somewhere else. Here, starting jobs are assigned, not won.

There is a certain hesitancy to go with the unknown in the NFL, especially if a trusted veteran is on hand.

But it can happen.

Tony Romo earned the quarterback spot despit having a FOB sitting in the throne. And as things stand, Miles Austin is expected to make a serious challenge to become a starting receiver alongside Roy Williams though for all I know we may select a receiver in the second round.

I don't feel sorry for Kevin Burnett because he was expected to become a starter as a high second round pick. He wasn't an undrafted free agent or second day afterthought, Burn was supposed to be a building block in the draft that morphed our defense from the 4-3 to the 3-4.

It isn't the Dallas Cowboys fault Burnett couldn't add and maintain muscle to his frame to better handle the demands of our scheme. Maybe he will fare better with the Chargers and Jamal Williams eating up space in the middle.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

A good coach can tell from practice and work habits and attitude and physical ability if a guy can play. You don't just "throw guys out there" to see if they can play during the real games -- that's a great way for a coach to lose games and get fired.

Parcells was wary of Burnett from that first time he got his knee scoped at his first camp without telling the team. Wade felt the same way. If they thought he was good enough to start, he would have. It's that simple.