Where’s Lester Hudson’s “Linsanity?”
April 11, 2012NFL Draft: Bill Polian Says Trent Richardson is “Sure Thing”
April 11, 2012ESPN Cleveland’s Will Burge reports that the Browns have shown interest in taking LB Vontaze Burfict with a later round pick. Burfict you may remember self-destructed at the combine during interviews, blaming his poor season on his coaches and anyone else aside from himself. There were also locker-room incidents involving the once well regarded LB prospect.
“Despite the poor combine performance and questionable interview skills, Burfict is still an intriguing talent and sources say that is something Heckert recognizes.
Burfict plays middle linebacker, the same position as D’Qwell Jackson who just received a 5 year $42.5 Million contract extension. Perhaps Heckert feels that Jackson could teach Burfict how to become a professional and eventually develop him into the heir apparent at middle linebacker.
In the past, Heckert has not shied away from drafting players with a spotted history. In 2011, he drafted Greg Little and Jabaal Sheard who both had off the field concerns, but they both performed well with no distractions during their rookie seasons. Sheard led the team in sacks and forced fumbles while Little led the team in catches and receiving yards.
If the Browns do select the 6’2” 260 pound linebacker in the 2012 draft, it will be in the late rounds and he will be a project. It is exactly the type of low risk, high reward choice a team can afford to make in the final rounds of a draft where they hold 13 picks.”
Burfict followed up his disaster of a combine performance with a mediocre at best pro day. From PFT.com–
“According to SI.com draft analyst Tony Pauline, Burfict was “not good in position drills” at the Sun Devils’ Friday workout, and Pauline acknowledged that he’s “watering that down.” One scout told Pauline he “actually felt bad for [Burfict].”
Burfict managed only 16 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. With poor measurables and game tape, and suspect on- and off-the-field character, Burfict may struggle to be drafted at all in April.”
Burge is correct that the current regime doesn’t seem to mind taking chances on character guys. Is Burfict worth the trouble?
24 Comments
Picture Burfict.
My biggest fear is that he ends up in the hands of Ozzie and Ray Lewis, who speaks fluent Lunatic, conveys him a way to stick around in this league. If he wasn’t a crazy person, he’d be in the same talks as Patrick Willis.
That said, Bruce Feldman made me laugh with this: “The guy is completely out of control — there’s no way you can trust him.”
Patrick Willis?
While I understand the combine has a very limited set of values to judge a prospect on, I think it very well can expose someone (an OL who can’t lift, a physical CB who is slow, etc.).
Burfict was exposed in interviews, in drills, and in every area at the combine. Add to it how he really wasn’t that impressive last year (always going for the big hit even when it resulted in a complete miss) and there is no way you can put him in the Willis class of prospect even on talent and athleticism only.
I agree that the Ravens could get the most out of him and I would not mind using one of our compensatory picks on him (we can’t trade those anyway). But, I’m thinking he is very, very likely going to wash out.
The guys a round 1 talent .
Well worth the risk.
Definitely worth one of our 5th rounders if hes still not taken. Maybe a 4th. Could we eventually play Burfict-Jackson-Gocong all at once? like who would be moved outside?
I hope they get him because he is a beast if he wants to be. His upside for that late of a pick is huge.
Not in round 1, 2, 3 or 4 but maybe 5 or 6 besides the Browns need OLB not a backup MLB. This team needs to draft starters not backups.
I agree. At least round 2 talent at minimum.
He is not a first round talent. I remember watching an ASU game thinking how slow he was and was trying to figure out why there was hype about him. Lots of people who have watched his tape queston his skills.
No more of a risk than Eric Haag in the 7th round, Clifton Geathers in the 6th, Jeremiah Pharms or Jason Pinkston in the 5th.
We have 13 picks, not sure how more than 7 can make the team so there will have to be some included in trades and the lower ones will be told by the special teams coach, “I’m throwing one bone, boys, and whoever fetches first gets an NFL uniform.” If they think he’s worth the bother and this guy decides to report in shape and compete, great, and if not not.
Though different positions, Shaun Rogers and Albert Haynesworth were beast if they wanted to be too. We’ve had some good picks and some reaches; this is not a guy to reach on especially considering the amount of questionable characters we’ve recently drafted. Nothing has blown up yet, but another one in the mix doesn’t exactly help things.
thank you. I cannot remember a prospect getting more hype for less reason than Mr. Burfict. People completely gloss over the important parts of what are said about him.
From above:
“With poor measurables and game tape, and suspect on- and off-the-field character, Burfict may struggle to be drafted at all in April.”
But, hey, besides that, he’s great!
despite not liking Burfict, I also agree with this position. We cannot trade the 4 compensatory picks at the end of the draft. if we decide that he’s worth a complete flier, then I am fine with it. at worst, he becomes our Asante or Geathers and never does anything. no worries there.
Great? He’s Burfict! Practically Burfict in every way!
I love how I can read a comment without looking who wrote it, agree with everything in it, then look to who wrote it and see that the vast majority of the time it’s mgbode. I’m glad you’re here, broseph.
There are many types of players available later in the draft. The most common is the solid player who is limited in some way but can be a reliable backup or fill a role on special teams (Maiava). Another is the little known small school player who is athletic and perhaps can be developed (Skrine). Next is the player who was once highly regarded, but has had injuries, character concerns or poor workouts (Pinkston). Finally, there is the player that everybody missed who didn’t stand out and simply got lost in a deep draft (A. Foster). The last type is rare and unexpected. The second and third types are high risk/reward and can occasionally pay off big.
Risk/reward players we might target mid-late:
R. Broyles WR – ACL injury (rd 3-5)
C. Minnifield CB – knee injury, shorter than expected height (rd 4-6)
T. Lewis OLB- series of minor injuries, poor workouts (rd 5-7)
D. Bentley CB – small school, very athletic (rd 3-5)
D. Posey WR – character concerns, poor workouts (rd 5-UFA)
M. Brewster C/G – poor workouts (rd 3-5)
V. Burfict ILB – poor everything (rd 5-UFA)
T. Johnson FS – character concerns (rd 3-4)
C. Polk RB – poor workouts (rd 3-4)
B. Pierce RB – small school/injuries (rd 4-5)
R. Turbin RB – small school/injuries (rd 4-5)
B. Brooks G – small school (rd 3-4)
G. Childs WR – injuries (rd 3-5)
D. Paige-Moss DE – character concerns/poor workouts (rd 5-UFA)
S. Spence LB – poor workouts/undersized (rd 3-5)
A.J. Jenkins WR – underrated/lost in shuffle (rd 3-5)
J. Crick DT – injuries (rd 3-5)
A. Datko OT – shoulder injuries (rd 3-5)
F. Alexander DE – poor workouts (rd 4-6)
D. Herron RB – cahracter concerns.poor workouts (rd 6- UFA)
R. Hillman RB – small school (rd 4-6)
M. Forston DT – left school too early due to coaching change (rd 4-5)
J. Long OT – small school (rd 5-6)
B. Quick WR – small school (rd 3-4)
I’m sure there are others. Several of these players will be good. With 9 picks after the third round a couple may be Browns.
very kind words. thank you.
Wow. Just wow. I don’t know how you have the time or energy to compile a list like that – and am frankly a bit concerned that some HIPAA violations may have been committed in its compilation – but I like what you’ve done. Nice work.
I would actually be very interested to see how this list plays out in the later rounds.
He doesn’t look like he can have any impact at this level. He was terrible at ASU last year and blamed it on the coaches. Why waste it on a guy who causes trouble but has no talent for this level? At least take a chance on someone who could see playing time.
Guy is a freak… I wish we had a player on our team that would shove the ref into the offensive line to delay the game!
I am talking about a round 6 pick. As a late flier pick with some possible upside I am all for this pick. We need linebacker help so this pick would make absolute sense for me as far as upside this late in the draft.
Robert Turbin looks really good if he stays healthy. What about Chris Rainey the RB from Florida. Also there is a WR named TY Hilton that is really good going later. There is a lot of talent later with WR’s and RB’s so better load up on offensive linemen while we can early.
u are right about the rogers and haynesworth comparisons. albert could have been known as one of the most dominant to ever play his position and rogers at his best could have been a monster. burflict could and should be the top line backer coming out right now but it seems like he takes the game and life for granted smh. I actually called the lavar arrington show a couple of months ago before we made the “big trade:” and suggested that we could trade back with the pats and get ryan mallet and one of their firsts and use that first on burflict smh sounds dumb in hindsight smh
u are right about the rogers and haynesworth comparisons. albert could have been known as one of the most dominant to ever play his position and rogers at his best could have been a monster. burflict could and should be the top line backer coming out right now but it seems like he takes the game and life for granted smh. I actually called the lavar arrington show a couple of months ago before we made the “big trade:” and suggested that we could trade back with the pats and get ryan mallet and one of their firsts and use that first on burflict smh sounds dumb in hindsight smh