Derrick Burgess: Is he making improvement?

[skri65]

I really like what I see off the field from Burgess. Yes, he was late to practice, but he handled it in a very mature way (he said he was only "disappointed in himself"). Belichick has praised him off the field saying not many people have been asked to change their game as much as Burgess has.

Now, what I want to know is how he is doing on the field. Obviously, he hasn't lived up to expectations, but that's not what I'm asking. I just want to know if he has been putting on pressure and if he has been improving. I know he got a sack at the end of the game. But has he been beating his man at all? He has been getting better each weak? I simply haven't been looking at his individual play that much this season.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Well he can't be getting worse,Anything he does to contribute in a game is a step forward,He has improved in moving the OL backwards but still he looks like a severe bust FA.

 

[BTTA]

Belichick has praised him off the field saying not many people have been asked to change their game as much as Burgess has.

Obviously, he hasn't lived up to expectations, but that's not what I'm asking. .

Perhaps to the coaches, he hasn't disappointed. Yes, he hasn't had a dozen sacks like many fans wanted/expected, but then again, your comment above about Belichick's comment may be revealing.

 

[Kontradiction]

Well, the opinions in this thread should vary widely. So let me just give you a preview...

PatsFan 1: "He's beginning to play at a Pro Bowl level".

PatsFan 2: "He sucks and is a bust. BB should cut him tomorrow".

The real answer lies in the middle. He certainly looks better than he did earlier in the season (when he was a relative ghost). If he continues to pick up on the defense and be able to react naturally instead of thinking about it, that fifth round pick could be money well spent. However, that has yet to be seen. Burgess needs to keep taking baby steps. Best case scenario is that he "Gaffney's" in the playoffs (reference to Jabar Gaffney in the 2006 playoffs). As the other guy in this thread said, he can't possibly get worse than he was earlier in the season - short of injury.

 

[dalero]

I really like what I see off the field from Burgess. Yes, he was late to practice, but he handled it in a very mature way (he said he was only "disappointed in himself"). Belichick has praised him off the field saying not many people have been asked to change their game as much as Burgess has.

Now, what I want to know is how he is doing on the field. Obviously, he hasn't lived up to expectations, but that's not what I'm asking. I just want to know if he has been putting on pressure and if he has been improving. I know he got a sack at the end of the game. But has he been beating his man at all? He has been getting better each weak? I simply haven't been looking at his individual play that much this season.

Nope. A couple of good plays against a lousy team.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Well, the opinions in this thread should vary widely. So let me just give you a preview...

PatsFan 1: "He's beginning to play at a Pro Bowl level".

PatsFan 2: "He sucks and is a bust. BB should cut him tomorrow".

The real answer lies in the middle. He certainly looks better than he did earlier in the season (when he was a relative ghost). If he continues to pick up on the defense and be able to react naturally instead of thinking about it, that fifth round pick could be money well spent. However, that has yet to be seen. Burgess needs to keep taking baby steps. Best case scenario is that he "Gaffney's" in the playoffs (reference to Jabar Gaffney in the 2006 playoffs). As the other guy in this thread said, he can't possibly get worse than he was earlier in the season - short of injury.

A pro bowl level?

If Burgess is at the pro bowl he got hired as the sideline Waterboy

I know you just threw that in there but just seeing Burgess and pro bowl together in 1 sentence makes me laugh.

 

[RayClay]

I really like what I see off the field from Burgess. Yes, he was late to practice, but he handled it in a very mature way (he said he was only "disappointed in himself"). Belichick has praised him off the field saying not many people have been asked to change their game as much as Burgess has.

Now, what I want to know is how he is doing on the field. Obviously, he hasn't lived up to expectations, but that's not what I'm asking. I just want to know if he has been putting on pressure and if he has been improving. I know he got a sack at the end of the game. But has he been beating his man at all? He has been getting better each weak? I simply haven't been looking at his individual play that much this season.

He seems to be just missing a lot. He's not real big, so he's not going to bull rush much.

I did notice he made a great play besides his sack. he went in on an all out rush and they handed off, he comes out of deep in the backfield and makes the tackle on the RB. Really outstanding.

Shows he's fighting, which leads me to believe they'll find a way to get him a path to the QB. I agree with the Seymour trade, but there's no doubt his loss and Warren being dinged up hurts the rush.

 

[Raymond]

I also really like what I see off the field with Burgess. He's my favorite off the field player too.

Anyone know where I can buy one of those off the field jerseys?

 

[Brono]

In the Panthers game, according to PFF, Burgess pressured or sacked the quarterback on 23% of his rushes (3/13). For comparison, Banta-Cain pressured or sacked the qb on 20% of his rushes (5/25).

 

[mgteich]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Burgess extended.

Seymour is already gone. Either Wilfork or Green will be gone next year. It really can't hurt to have Burgess as one of the competitors for roster spots.

 

[mayoclinic]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Burgess extended.

Seymour is already gone. Either Wilfork or Green will be gone next year. It really can't hurt to have Burgess as one of the competitors for roster spots.

I wouldn't be surprised at all, if the money is reasonable - even if Adalius Thomas somehow stays on the roster. It can't hurt to have some pass rushers in place and not rely on rookies/new acquisitions being productive right away.

Burgess seems like a good guy, and he's certainly making an effort. I'd like to see a bit more production, but the effort is there.

 

[miDeuce]

Here's what I don't get... I know Burgess has played a little OLB in the 34 this year, I believe that is where BB is referring to his improvement. But 85% of the time I've taken note of him he has his hand down on passing situations to rush the QB. This is what he's been doing his entire career, so I don't really get it when he gets a free pass for needing time to pick up the system.

Given that I'd have to say I'd be surprised if he is extended.

 

[Schmo]

In a couple situations, he looked very fast off the edge, but possibly still a bit hesitant. I can see a situation where he gets permission from BB to all-out speed rush (the way Freeney does EVERY play). If that happens, we could see major dividends. Dunno what could be holding him back... watching for screens, draws etc? Now, understand I'm not comparing him to Freeney, but he looks like he has what it takes to get around the T frequently and attack the QB's throwing arm.

 

[satz]

This has been brought by a few guys and looks like burgess is around 220 or so.He is tall and skinny and weighs like lighter than mathis. The weigh is not listed so but quite a few guys who follow the team feel he is the smallest LB we have.

At that weight if he matched up for speed rushing he can be successfull against stocky RT. but the problem is in a 3-4 he is open for running downs and chip blocking.ZGood tackles can easily bull rush him and push him off the line.

 

[IcyPatriot]

He seems to be just missing a lot. He's not real big, so he's not going to bull rush much.

That's what I see also ... he's moving very well just not in the right direction.

 

[JSn]

I think Burgess is going to look good through the remaining reg. season games. So, I think, will the other LB's. We won't know jack until the PO game one.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

I thought that Burgess looked pretty good in the late 4th quarter. Then again I thought that Nikowski was putting more pressure on the QB, than any other OLB I've seen playing for the Pats this year.

What I really like out of Burguess was his play on the 4-23 play late in the game. He rushed effectively and made the QB get rid of the ball quickly to his outlet back, and then Burguess proceeded to run down the back from behind stopping him well short of the first down. A great hustle play on his part.

Burguess was brought here to play OLB and rush the passer when the opponent is in a clear pass only situation, the real problem is, the Pats have not put the oppostion in that position.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Burgess is a square peg playing in a round hole. A good guy, playing in the wring defense.

 

[JSn]

Burgess is a square peg playing in a round hole. A good guy, playing in the wring defense.

They sure are. I'm always wringing my hands when they're on the field for a crucial play.

 

[condon84]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Burgess extended.

Seymour is already gone. Either Wilfork or Green will be gone next year. It really can't hurt to have Burgess as one of the competitors for roster spots.

This is my line of thought. We did invest a 3rd round pick and a 5th rounder for him. I'm sure Belichick would want him to go through our offseason program and see if he can regain some of his speed and explosiveness he had before his injuries.