Kevin Burnett

[Galian Beast]

Who thinks 2005 second round draft pick Kevin Burnett is going to play a larger part in our defense not only on sunday, but as the season progresses?

I think he made a huge statement during the Titans game. I believe he could really be key in the fact that he can play both outside linebacker positions. Using him to spell both Ware and Ellis means they can play with a higher motor during the entire game. Especially from the end positions in the nickel.

Obviously he starts in the nickel at linebacker. But I think we're going to see him in on a lot more downs. He has coverage ability, and the speed to get to the quarterback.

I'd like to see him involved in about 75+% of the downs. 100% of the nickel downs, and 25%-50% of the 3-4 downs.

I would like to see Bobby Carpenter step up to take a similar role, but more so on the inside spelling Ayodele, and maybe Bradie James. And taking James' spot in the Nickel.

 

[austintodallas]

Burnett was a terror vs. the Titans.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Burnett was a terror vs. the Titans.

For and against us

 

[LaTunaNostra]

Vela's usual pretty detailed write up gave some props to Burnett.


I've felt for awhile he's ready to either take on a greater role or a steadier niche one. His hip and the other injury last year slowed his progress somewhat, but he strikes me as being the most instinctual of the young backers, even more so than Ware.

 

[austintodallas]

For and against us

True. :laugh2:

 

[ComicBookGuy]

I think Burnett took the brunt of the hit with Newman...

 

[Yeagermeister]

I think Burnett took the brunt of the hit with Newman...

True but Newman looked like he was just about to break the return for a long one.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Burnett was a terror vs. the Titans.

Just ask Terrence Newman what he thinks of Burnett's tackling ability.

 

[lane]

i'm quite pleased with kevin's progress.......

 

[tomson75]

I think Burnett will see an expanded role on defense against teams with mobile quarterbacks and tendendies for short passes. Teams with more traditional running gameplans will see a lot more of Ellis. Given that, this could be a huge game for Burnett.

 

[big dog cowboy]

There is a reason we drafted him as high as we did. The dude has a great game and now that he is completely healthy he can start making plays for us. Many started to write him off last year and now look at him.

 

[wileedog]

Only worry with Burnett is it looks like he is not going to get much bigger. Parcells commented earlier in the year that he seems to have topped out in the high 230's, which means he will have trouble ever being an every-down LB in the 3-4.

Love him as a nickle LBer, but a 2nd round pick for that is a bit high.

 

[Galian Beast]

Simply because he had trouble keeping his weight up doesn't mean he isn't going to gain size. He is coming off of an injury that set him back last year. You do know that he is coming off of an acl injury right?

And he was the 2nd best linebacker in the draft slightly behind Derrick Johnson. Getting him in the 2nd round was a complete steal.

He'll probably put on a lot more weight during the next off season.

And NFL.com has him listed at 240. Don't know how up to date that is. But I could definitely see him playing at 250 something in the next couple years. Which is a pretty good size.

 

[wileedog]

Simply because he had trouble keeping his weight up doesn't mean he isn't going to gain size. He is coming off of an injury that set him back last year. You do know that he is coming off of an acl injury right?

And he was the 2nd best linebacker in the draft slightly behind Derrick Johnson. Getting him in the 2nd round was a complete steal.

He'll probably put on a lot more weight during the next off season.

And NFL.com has him listed at 240. Don't know how up to date that is. But I could definitely see him playing at 250 something in the next couple years. Which is a pretty good size.

I'm just going by Parcells comments. He said something to the effect that some guys, no matter how hard they work, seem to settle in at a certain weight and there is nothing you can do about it.

I'll be as happy as anyone if Burnett can make 250 and be an every down guy, because I think he has even more potential than Carpenter. I'm just sayin what Bill said though.

 

[Clove]

If Burnett makes 245, I would be more than happy about that. His coverage skills is something that jumps out at me, he was involved in atleast 2 pass break ups.

 

[Q_the_man]

Kev will be a fixture in tha Cowboyz plans for a long time barring injury, he was raw in High SCHOOL, College, and will be a nice LB in the pros, period!

 

[ddh33]

I thought he was a bust? Remember, a lot of folks called him Jacob Rogers part two. He was always injured and too soft to be drafted so high?


Anyway, I love Burnett's upside and ability. He's one of the guys on this defense who has a real burst about him. You can see it when he comes after the QB. You can see it when he covers. You see that explosiveness in his tackling. Add to that his confidence (cockiness?) and more cerebral game, and I'm excited about his future. I have a hard time seeing how he doesn't work his way on to the field more.

As for the record, I feel like Bobby Carpenter may travel a similar path so we might all need a little perspective from time to time. Someone who has Burnett's ability and potential makes the wait worthwhile.

 

[cowboyed]

Vela's usual pretty detailed write up gave some props to Burnett.


I've felt for awhile he's ready to either take on a greater role or a steadier niche one. His hip and the other injury last year slowed his progress somewhat, but he strikes me as being the most instinctual of the young backers, even more so than Ware.

Instinctual is a good description but smart with an agile mind may be apropos as well. Burnett thinks quickly and strikes effectively. He overcame injury but is also a complete student of the game. That is why I am also not jumping to conclusions with Carpenter.

 

[lspain1]

Love him as a nickle LBer, but a 2nd round pick for that is a bit high.

Serious question...is this true? We have spent a lot of time in the nickel in the past. Fair number of snaps.

 

[Juke99]

My favorite pick in that year's draft.

He has an energy level that is impossible to not notice.

I'm expecting big things in future games.