Re: Olb
I'd be a pain to go through it play by play, but PFF does have where each player lined up for each play.
Thanks for the tip.
I went through the last 6 games of the regular season to take a look at where Burgess was lining up. I decided to do the last 6 games in order to save time and also because I think that will give us a better picture of where he would project to play this year.
I'm assuming that since Ty Warren is listed as a "LE" and Mike Wright is listed as a "RE" that "DLE" translates to 4-3/sub package defensive end. If not, then it doesn't appear that they're making distinction between the positions and we'll have to watch the games.
It should also be noted that PFF doesn't seem to break down when players switch positions in sub packages; for instance, they never list Banta-Cain as a DRE even though he lined up at that position frequently in sub packages. In fact, no one is listed as a DRE in any of these games.
Still, we should be able to determine Burgess role on the team by looking at the number of times he plays the run, rushes the passer, and drops into coverage.
Week 11 (Jest)
Did not start, but played 17 snaps at DLE:
6 against the run, 10 pass rushes, dropped into coverage once. He did not record any stats.
Week 12 (@ Saints)
Started at LOLB and played 26 snaps.
12 against the run, 14 rushes, 0 drops into coverage. Recorded 1 assist and 1 missed tackle.
He appears to have shared half the snaps at LOLB with Thomas in this game.
Week 13 (@ Doofins)
Did not start. Played 37 snaps at DLE:
6 against the run, 31 rushes, zero drops. Recorded a QB pressure, a tackle, and an assist.
His playing time is similar to AD, which might suggest that he again shared some time at OLB despite this not being recorded. However, since he only played the run 6 times, it seems pretty clear that the majority of his snaps came in sub packages.
Week 14 (Panthers)
Did not start. I believe this the game that AD was benched. Pierre Woods actually started over Burgess, who only played 17 snaps at DLE.
3 against the run, 13 rushes, zero drops. Recorded 1 sack, 2 QB pressures, 2 tackles, and 3 "stops," which PFF says is a play that caused an offensive failure.
Week 15 (@ Bills)
Did not start. Played 31 snaps at DLE.
7 against the run, 23 rushes, 1 drop. Had 1 sack, 4 QB pressures, 4 tackles, 4 stops.
Week 16 (Jaguars)
Did not start. 37 snaps at DLE.
6 plays against the run, 20 rushes, 0 drops. 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 1 missed tackle, 1 stop.
Week 17 (@ Texans)
It appears the Pats opened this game in some kind of sub package with Guyton and Mayo at ILB, Banta-Cain at ROLB, no LOLB, Green at RE, Wright at NT, 3 corners, 2 safeties, and Burgess again at "DLE." This sounds like a 3 man front where Burgess' role is to pass rush, not control gaps.
He played 62 snaps. 24 against the run, 36 pass rushes, and 2 drops into coverage. He had a sack, 2 QB hits, 7 tackles, an assist, and 6 stops.
-------------------------------
Again, this doesn't answer the question of how many snaps Burgess played at LB vs. 3-4 DE. Still, the team's clear lack of confidence in Burgess to play the run would suggest that they don't view him as a 3-4 DE at all, since the primary role of a 3-4 DE is to control gaps and stop the run.
That BB is obviously aware of Burgess' weakness against run blockers probably suggests that Burgess isn't going to be an every down linebacker in 2010, but should contribute as a nickel pass rusher--whether he's standing up or in the 3-point stance.
At the same time, if he really is seen as such a one-dimensional player by the Pats, then I could imagine a scenario where a younger player shows that he can play Burgess' role in training camp, and such a situation could threaten Burgess' job.
i.e., two of Cunningham, Crable, and Ninko impresses, while Murrell or Alexander makes the Pats for special teams, pushing Burgess off the roster. (I see Woods making it--he's better than Burgess against the run, knows the system, is cheap, and has ST value)