"WOODSON PRAISES BURNETT

[swede]

I'm on the Pat Lee koolaid train.

Were there many of you in that ticket line?

[rbaloha1]

The next Darren Sharper. Big upgrade over Bigby in terms of interceptions and breaking up passes.

AB is actually best at the line of scrimmage blitzing or playing the run. Drew Rosenhaus is really messing up his client.

[vince]

Here's a review from Burnett's pro-day that I don't remember seeing before. It certainly backs up his performance in shorts thus far.

http://rob-rang.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13682485/21002498

S Burnett -- the "wow" workout no one knows
Posted on: April 16, 2010 12:21 pm

It happens every year. There is a workout or two that slip through the cracks when the Pro Days are going strong that somehow doesn't get the attention it deserves.

This year that workout was the Georgia Tech Pro Day.

While all of the attention on that day was placed upon defensive end Derrick Morgan and running back Jonathan Dwyer, in reality, free safety Morgan Burnett was the star of the show.

His numbers, while all impressive, were led by a 3.92 second short shuttle -- the fastest verified time from any player tested at the Combine or any Pro Day this year. His 11'08 broad jump is also a spectacular number.

As a point of comparison, Fresno State cornerback A.J. Jefferson led all Combine participants with a 4.00 second time in the short shuttle and Virginia cornerback Chris Cook led all in Indianapolis with an 11 foot broad jump.

Burnett was unable to workout at the Combine due to a strained hamstring.

Measuring in at 6-1 (3/8) and 209 pounds, Burnett was clocked at 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash, among the fastest times of any safety tested this year. He also posted a 39.5" vertical jump, an 11'08" broad jump and a 6.87 second 3-cone drill.

Folks, those are staggering numbers that deserve attention.

I've spoken with teams who feel that Burnett is a lock for the middle of the second round. Based on these numbers, Burnett should have been included in my previous post -- which identified five players who could be surprise first round picks.

In reality, the people who matter -- NFL scouts -- fully know Burnett's impressive workout results. An estimated 20 teams were represented at the workout, including three head coaches. While Gil Brandt and the staff at NFL.com typically do a fabulous job of posting the "official" results from each workout, this one inexplicably was not reported.

[mission]

Nice one, Vince... I guess that hamstring injury during the combine was a blessing for us. I'm really surprised where he went, even with the trade up...

[red]

good news

it would still be nice to see one of the other cb's also take a step forward

[KYPack]

Nice one, Vince... I guess that hamstring injury during the combine was a blessing for us. I'm really surprised where he went, even with the trade up...

What is your "Burnette report", Mish?

I know you see a lot of GT games down there.

[Patler]

The next Darren Sharper. Big upgrade over Bigby in terms of interceptions and breaking up passes.

You think so? In the last 3 years, Bigby has played 36 games, starting 33. Basically, two seasons worth. He has 10 interceptions and 19 passes defensed. In a number of those games he left after only a quarter or two when they tried to get him back from injury two years ago.
On a per game basis, for the games he has played, Bigby's numbers aren't far off of Collins'.

[RashanGary]

The next Darren Sharper. Big upgrade over Bigby in terms of interceptions and breaking up passes.

You think so? In the last 3 years, Bigby has played 36 games, starting 33. Basically, two seasons worth. He has 10 interceptions and 19 passes defensed. In a number of those games he left after only a quarter or two when they tried to get him back from injury two years ago.
On a per game basis, for the games he has played, Bigby's numbers aren't far off of Collins'.

Sometimes I think people forget, around the league, there aren't many safeties who make as many big plays as Atari Bigby.

[KYPack]

Brace yourself, you two.

[mission]

Nice one, Vince... I guess that hamstring injury during the combine was a blessing for us. I'm really surprised where he went, even with the trade up...

What is your "Burnette report", Mish?

I know you see a lot of GT games down there.

Well, I'll try to spare you guys what you already know.

Watching him the last three years, I always thought of him as kind of an Ed Reed type of guy. Instinctive beyond belief, able to almost Woodson-bait QBs into throwing to spots they shouldn't be throwing to. At one point I just kind of assumed he was a first round guy; how could he not be, he's all over the place. Looks like he's playing on step ahead of everyone.

Then this year something happened. Not necessarily with Burnette but with the GT defense. They would run up 500-600 yards on offense and still just getting their back broke on defense... guys completely lost, huge gaping holes up the middle (10 yards untouched). Picture the GB/AZ playoff game but that same feeling for most of the season. Teams didn't really even think about passing on Tech... they didn't have to. They made no adjustments from team to team and many feel were lucky to have the W/L they had.

Then Morgan started having some multi-sack games and everyone was talking about him and Dwyer and how they had two sure-fire 1st rounders... Morgan (burnette) was kind of the forgotten man, he didn't have a lot of opportunities and often found himself picking up for poor coverages around him and having to cover too much ground. The view that he is out of position sometimes I don't necessarily agree with. Just the whole defense in general, and how frustrating it was for everyone, it's easy for a top talent on a team (largely) of bozos to freelance a little bit and have a little more freedom to do it.

They were so poorly coached on D that the entire staff got let go ... it was a topic of sports talk radio for much of the year from techie callers. They couldn't believe how bad the front 7 was playing considering having guys like Morgan and Burnette.

To summarize: I think he's the kind of guy that will shine with veteran leadership and coaching around him. He's bright from a football standpoint and just GETS the game, loves to play football and is hungry to be a successful. He's a south side Atlanta guy and that's kind of hood but I feel he looks at it more as an opportunity to change his legacy and isn't going to take it lightly. I think GB is a good place for him to be focused on football.. I don't even really partake in the Bigby vs Burnette arguments because I really don't think it's even close. Maybe from game 1, or early in the season, Bigby would be the better guy. But give both guys equal understanding of the playbook and Burnette is a potential Pro Bowler. It's not even close... he could have Clay Matthews impact early... Woodson/Collins later in his career.

I'm not really even down on Bigby, I like the guy... but he's not that TALENTED... his ceiling isn't as high as Burnette's, and I think that's why Ted took him. You'll see, I love watching him play. He's gonna be a big little secret.

[rbaloha1]

The next Darren Sharper. Big upgrade over Bigby in terms of interceptions and breaking up passes.

You think so? In the last 3 years, Bigby has played 36 games, starting 33. Basically, two seasons worth. He has 10 interceptions and 19 passes defensed. In a number of those games he left after only a quarter or two when they tried to get him back from injury two years ago.
On a per game basis, for the games he has played, Bigby's numbers aren't far off of Collins'.

Decent stats. MB puts up better stats. Bye Bye AB. Thank you Drew.

[Joemailman]

The next Darren Sharper. Big upgrade over Bigby in terms of interceptions and breaking up passes.

You think so? In the last 3 years, Bigby has played 36 games, starting 33. Basically, two seasons worth. He has 10 interceptions and 19 passes defensed. In a number of those games he left after only a quarter or two when they tried to get him back from injury two years ago.
On a per game basis, for the games he has played, Bigby's numbers aren't far off of Collins'.

Decent stats. MB puts up better stats. Bye Bye AB. Thank you Drew.

That might be a convincing argument if the ACC were as tough as the NFL.

[rbaloha1]

The next Darren Sharper. Big upgrade over Bigby in terms of interceptions and breaking up passes.

You think so? In the last 3 years, Bigby has played 36 games, starting 33. Basically, two seasons worth. He has 10 interceptions and 19 passes defensed. In a number of those games he left after only a quarter or two when they tried to get him back from injury two years ago.
On a per game basis, for the games he has played, Bigby's numbers aren't far off of Collins'.

Decent stats. MB puts up better stats. Bye Bye AB. Thank you Drew.

That might be a convincing argument if the ACC were as tough as the NFL.

Just wait until the season starts. MB is the starter since AB is being screwed by DR.

[Joemailman]

I'm on the Pat Lee koolaid train.

Just stay away from any Kool-aid that Johnny Jolly tries to give you.

[Joemailman]

I think Bigby is figuring that the Packers have drafted his replacement, and have no interest in giving him an extension since they only need him for one year. He may be right. I think he's going to try to get that extension from the Packers, and if he can't, try to force a trade to a team who will.