James Burgess

[FTLDOLFAN]

I will predict that he will make the 53 man roster. He is a bit undersized but so was Zach Thomas. I am posting a link to his highlight reel and his speed and athleticism are impressive. I think that he is already our 2nd best MLB on the roster now and he will backup Kiko Alonso and contribute on special teams. He is also a Miami native.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPJNzoQbjQk

[AquaXI]

I say Akil Blount makes it. I like Burgess too.

[Daytona Dolfan]

If not LB how about Safety?

[FTLDOLFAN]

If not LB how about Safety?

We need him more at LB although he might be moved to SS in the future. That would probably be his ideal position.

[Daytona Dolfan]

I agree about LB, just thinking about him "being undersized". I did like his apparent fire.

[cuchulainn]

He was 210 lbs when he got to Louisville and has put on 20 lbs since. Not sure if he can bulk up to much more. Walter had him listed as the 21st best LB in this class, noting that he was a lightweight and that he did not work out at the combine, but hat he posted a slow 40 time of 4.71 at Louisville's pro day.

He might be more of a Safety project as he's going to have a hard time beating out Hewitt, Hull, or Vigil for a spot at LB.

[Alpha]

I still think Vigil, Hewitt and Hull have potential to develop into solid players...

[cuchulainn]

Vigil and Hewitt especially. I didn't see much from Hull last season at all.

[FTLDOLFAN]

He was 210 lbs when he got to Louisville and has put on 20 lbs since. Not sure if he can bulk up to much more. Walter had him listed as the 21st best LB in this class, noting that he was a lightweight and that he did not work out at the combine, but hat he posted a slow 40 time of 4.71 at Louisville's pro day.

He might be more of a Safety project as he's going to have a hard time beating out Hewitt, Hull, or Vigil for a spot at LB.

I thought he ran a 4.61 at his pro day. At 6'0 230 lbs he could either be an undersized MLB or maybe he could move to WLB. If he were to move to SS he would have to get back down to 210 lbs.

Actually he ran a 4.53 at his pro day.

[cuchulainn]

You're right. I just glanced at it and mis-read it... they said ''projected'' time was 4.71.

[FTLDOLFAN]

Not that this has anything to do with Burress but I wish we had taken Stephen Weatherly in the 7th round instead of Brandon Doughty. He is 6'4 267 and he ran a 4.61 at the combine. He could either lose a little weight and play as a SAM LB or gain a little weight and play as a DE. I don't think Doughty has much upside for the NFL. We could have just picked up Jacob Coker who was an UDRFA as our developmental QB.

[ONole1]

Not sure Burgess has the frame to keep enough weight on him to play LB. I agree with Chuch and see him as a tweener. With that being said that tweener position is gaining popularity in the NFL and we are seeing more of them. Burgess has good instincts but if he sticks it would be as a WILL/Safety. It would be interesting to see if he has the athleticism to be converted to a SS.

I wouldn't be shocked if Akil Blount makes the 53 and puts one of the young guys from last year out of work.

[cuchulainn]

Would have no problem with that. From what I saw, Vigil and Hewitt showed the most promise. I don't recall Hull doing much last season.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

My darkhorse to make the team was Hewitt, was nice that he got a chance to get some valuable playing time and looked decent while out there...Not sure if either Vigil or Hull will ever be anything more than 'JAG's', destined to be ST lifer's...

[cuchulainn]

Vigil had a few plays that very good at both LB and on STs. I was hoping he'd get more opportunity last season and was really hoping we'd draft his brother in the 5th or 6th, but the Bengals took him in the 3rd.

Agree on Hewitt. He was really flashing at the end of the season and had a solid game against the Pats.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

I hope this kid steps up & shows the same explosion & playmaking ability when camp rolls around...Definitely undersized for the LB position but it's funny, even in todays world with all of the science to measure & study a players #'s and metric's, they still haven't figured out that you can't measure heart & some guys are just natural baller's..You just can't teach pure instinct...Looking forward to seeing him in pads!

Regarding Blount; initially i didn't realize he was the son of Steelers legend Mel Blount, you'd figure with those bloodlines he'd have to know a thing or two about playin' the game!

[cuchulainn]

Agree... and considering how many LB and Safety tweeners are getting drafted the past few years, it's not a bad thing if he can fly to the ball and participate in certain packages.

[FTLDOLFAN]

Burgess could be used in sub packages for his coverage ability. For instance when its 3rd and 8 and you know the offense is going to throw the ball he could come in for Misi since he probably is our weakest starting LB in coverage.

[FTLDOLFAN]

Why cant Burgess play LB? Zach Thomas was 2 inches shorter and about the same weight and didn't have Burgess's athleticism yet he was a perennial Pro Bowler.

[cuchulainn]

ZT was built like a tank and had outstanding instincts and football intellect. Burgess is taller and has a much slighter build with much less overall muscularity. I'd be surprised in he was as effective as ZT at this level, but we'll see how it plays out.

[FTLDOLFAN]

I don't think Burgess is going to be playing MLB full-time like Zach. I think he can be effective situationally when its an obvious passing down, he can come in the game for his coverage skills. I also think depending on what kind of season Jenkins has as the starting WLB Burgess could be groomed to replace him if Jenkins has a disappointing season since he will be a free agent next year. I agree that he is too small to play MLB full-time.

[cuchulainn]

I don't think Burgess is going to be playing MLB full-time like Zach. I think he can be effective situationally when its an obvious passing down, he can come in the game for his coverage skills. I also think depending on what kind of season Jenkins has as the starting WLB Burgess could be groomed to replace him if Jenkins has a disappointing season since he will be a free agent next year. I agree that he is too small to play MLB full-time.

James Burgess

“James Burgess is an intriguing prospect. His best fit would probably be as a 3-4 ILB, but he could also play either the SAM or WILL in a 4-3. He had a great Shrine game performance, but for some reason it didn’t get him an invite to the Combine. Even then, he’s an athletic specimen at linebacker who will have to make his money on special teams early in his career. I think his ceiling could be as a rotational starter in either a 3-4 or 4-3 that should go as soon as the 5th round.”

I wish him the best, but I don't have a lot of conviction that he'll make it thru the process right now.