Hoov;1532308 said:
I thought that Burnett was supposed to be a good coverage LB. At least i think i remember reading that about him when he was drafted, i always thought he would be used more as a coverage backer than a pass rusher based on the scouting report coming out of college.
I remember reading that he was good in coverage too in almost all scouting reports. We all know that scouting reports we find on the internet are never wrong though.
Still, when all reports say the same thing... you'd think there would be something to it. That along with the fact that he played safety before he grew into a LB made me think that he'd be a good coverage LB.
InmanRoshi;1532315 said:
His M.O was that he had plenty of athletic ability, but slow diagnose and reaction skills. His Tennesee coaches liked using him as an edge rusher in nickel.
If he is slow to read and react, then that would explain why he wouldn't be good in coverage. It would also explain why Parcells didn't use him more.
I still hold out hope that Phillips scheme is a much better fit for him. He is much more like Donnie Edwards than anyone Parcells ever used at ILB. Perhaps he won't have to read as much as react in Phillips system and his athleticism will be allowed to take over... because he has tons of that.
I don't know but I guess we'll find out. I've always thought that if he were allowed to flow to the ball he would be outstanding. That's just my opinion though.
In Wade's scheme we do know that he'll use a good bit of zone blitzes, so if Burnett is on the field a lot, he'll get his chances to get after the QB, which I think he would excel at.
In a preseason game I watched him come on a blitz and he was to the QB in a flash. One of his strengths is that he goes from 0 to 60 in a flash... and that explosion was really evident on that play. That's why I use the expression "shot out of a cannon". That's what it looked like. He just closed so fast. The ball was snapped, Burnett hesitated and then, BAM he was in the QB's face.
IMO, he'll be very good on zone blitzes from the ILB spot. That is if he has the head to play in Phillips 3-4.
BouncingCheese;1532516 said:
I don't know why we drafted a 4-3 LB in Burnett to begin with if we were planning on moving to a 3-4. I don't know what BP was thinking either.
I distinctly remember Parcells calling Burnett a "bubble" player on more than one occasion. That term means playing one of Parcells ILB positions, placed over a guard. It was right after we drafted him and Bill said he looked like a "Bubble" player to him.
Does anyone else remember that?
If that's the case... then Parcells didn't look at him like a 4-3 LB only, but also someone that could play ILB in his 3-4. Of course in Phillips 3-4, the ILB is more protected and needs a little less bulk and a little more speed... which points to Burnett being better suited for Wades scheme.
IOW, Parcells apparently thought Burnett could play ILB for him... and if he thought that, then Kevin should certainly be able to play for Phillips at ILB.
Assuming of course, that he has the head for it.
BouncingCheese;1532529 said:
I think this scheme is the best if not one of the only ways he can see the field as a 3-4 LB at his size. If he can get his **** together, as Carpenter can do the same, then they have a chance to very well.
That is exactly what I'm hoping as well. I'm not sure how it will play out though.
The bad thing is though, if Carpenter (1st round) and Burnett (2nd round) both really come on and earn a starting position... then we'll have one guy who we just paid a good bit to (James) and one guy we paid a good bit in free agency for (Ayodele) sitting on the bench.
Oh well... at least no one can say we don't have depth at LB.
