Burgess skipping camp?

[BlitzFritz]

Clearly,training camp is a BIG grind.
Some players have obviously skipped it yet still managed to then play a full season. Michael Strahan skipped camp entirely, basically admitted it, and then showed up to play. This is also my theory about Favre - he drags all of this out to avoid the TC grind, but will show up to play another season. Watch.

I also believe that NFL teams are complicit in this maneuver, though for obvious reasons they could never admit it.

That got me thinking, is there a chance that Burgess is also just plain sick of camp? At some point, he will "come to his senses", and rejoin the team?

Sounds far-fetched. LOL. I would go for >50% that he is playing OLB for the Pats this season, but then I love intrigue and conspiracy theories.

thoughts?

-- FRITZ

 

[patriot lifer]

it is a possibility. Until he files his paperwork to officially retire, it is a genuine possibility.

 

[DarrylS]

Would have thought that both parties would have come to some logical conclusion by now.. why drag it out???

This could make sense.. but how does that fit for other veterans who are working their butts off????

 

[JSn]

Wouldn't surprise me in the least.

 

[Sicilian]

Wouldn't surprise me, but I feel this tactic is only accepted by hall of fame caliber players (and in most cases by players who have a long history with the team, Favre being the exception to the latter). Strahan was a Giant legend, and was clearly well versed in their system. Camp at his age wasn't a necessity really.

Burgess, while playing better the second half of the season, has very little clout with the team comparatively, and certainly has a lot to prove to say he still belongs on the roster. I would have a hard time seeing Belichick welcoming him back if he was indeed just orchestrating this to get out of two-a-days.

 

[mgteich]

This has happened in the past, with Belichick giveing a knowing wink and spouting the party line to the media. HOWEVER, this time Belichick seems genuinely surprised.

Finally, I would not be surprised if the Front Office makes a strong pitch to Burgess. We could use him for this season.

 

[Pujo]

Anyone know if he's been sent the 5 day letter?

 

[tuckeverlasting]

Anyone know if he's been sent the 5 day letter?

that's what i've been waiting for. no letter might mean they know he's avoiding tc.

 

[mgteich]

It may also mean that the reports that he is "contemplating" retirement are correct, and thay he has not made a final decision.

that's what i've been waiting for. no letter might mean they know he's avoiding tc.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

This has happened in the past, with Belichick giveing a knowing wink and spouting the party line to the media. HOWEVER, this time Belichick seems genuinely surprised.

Finally, I would not be surprised if the Front Office makes a strong pitch to Burgess. We could use him for this season.

When has this happened?? I can't recall a single situation of a player under contract not reporting to TC. Even out holdouts beyond Mankins and Branch show up when the bell rings. If you're talking about Junior, he was signed year to year on an as needed basis...I recall a CB we signed who was genuinely conflicted about leaving his wife and kids to the point he contemplated retirement...but ended up coming in.

I think Burgess took the signing bonus reluctantly when no one else came knocking (he was hoping for a better deal elsewhere after coming here assuming he'd be in line for career rehab) and then lost initiative and is likely not in shape and therefore seriously considering just hanging them up rather than end up an unceremonious camp cut. Either that or a little birdy whispered in his ear recently that he could have done better money or location wise and he is trying to make the same move Schoebel just pulled in Buffalo. Feign retirement to facilitate a cut so you can shop yourself to a personally preferable situation still early in camp...

 

[All_Around_Brown]

Personally, I couldn't care less whether this guy shows or not. He was basically a no show for 10 games last year anyway, and the door to the dog house has to be fully closed by now. At least this way the younger replacements, whoever they are, will be getting the reps. The ones who actually want to play football.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Not far fetched at all.

Personally, I might be more surprised if he really did retire.

 

[Bostonian1962]

I would not be surprised in the least, and can't blame him. I hope that gives him fresh legs for a great season!

 

[WhiZa]

Personally, I couldn't care less whether this guy shows or not. He was basically a no show for 10 games last year anyway, and the door to the dog house has to be fully closed by now. At least this way the younger replacements, whoever they are, will be getting the reps. The ones who actually want to play football.

The last 4 games he had 3 sacks and 18 tackles coming off the bench. IMO, he was starting to get his groove in the new system.

This year he signed a new contract, BB probably told him he wouldn't be starting, so in his mind he is probably skipping most of camp since he knows it all and won't have an expanded role this season. I doubt BB said it was okay for him not to be there. That wouldn't send a good message to the rest of the team about a 2nd year player on the Pats.

 

[SanAngeloState]

So does he have to give back the bonus and such if he "retires"?

What's to prevent a player like him from signing a contract, like he did, then coming to camp and just dogging it so badly they cut him? That way he gets a bonus for merely showing up to camp.

I didn't like the trade then and it looks horrible now. Duane Stuarks II. 3rd and 5th for this JAG? BB likes his vets too much.

 

[Reckedtrek]

So does he have to give back the bonus and such if he "retires"?

What's to prevent a player like him from signing a contract, like he did, then coming to camp and just dogging it so badly they cut him? That way he gets a bonus for merely showing up to camp.

I didn't like the trade then and it looks horrible now. Duane Stuarks II. 3rd and 5th for this JAG? BB likes his vets too much.

So you're conclusion is that the vets BB gets are generally on the level of Burgess and Starks? Do you include Welker, Moss, Phifer, Harrison, Dillon, Colvin, Ted Washington in this generalization as well?

Of course BB has had misses as well as hits (Beisel, Chad Brown, Doug Gabriel, etc...) so I'm not saying his vet pick ups have all been great, but I think you're summary is a little ridiculous.

I agree the trade for Burgess doesn't look good NOW... but I don't think BB can see as well into the future as you can apparently.

 

[Deus Irae]

I agree the trade for Burgess doesn't look good NOW... but I don't think BB can see as well into the future as you can apparently.

The trade looked like crap from the moment it was made, so don't kid yourself.

 

[All_Around_Brown]

So you're conclusion is that the vets BB gets are generally on the level of Burgess and Starks? Do you include Welker, Moss, Phifer, Harrison, Dillon, Colvin, Ted Washington in this generalization as well?

Of course BB has had misses as well as hits (Beisel, Chad Brown, Doug Gabriel, etc...) so I'm not saying his vet pick ups have all been great, but I think you're summary is a little ridiculous.

I agree the trade for Burgess doesn't look good NOW... but I don't think BB can see as well into the future as you can apparently.

Can I go ahead and insert DONALD HAYES into that list?

 

[BlitzFritz]

Burgess reports as soon as two a days are over. LMAO

Must have been an interesting contract negotiation, including the part about being old and skipping camp.

I rest my case

 

[SanAngeloState]

If they let him get away with this they are making a mockery of the system.