Texans bringing in Burnett

[hsf09]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/6295105.html

The Texans are bringing in Dallas Cowboys linebacker Kevin Burnett for a visit today.

Burnett, 26, is an unrestricted free agent who has been a reserve linebacker in the Cowboys' 3-4 during his four-year career. A second-round pick from the University of Tennessee in 2005, Burnett played outside linebacker his first two years and inside linebacker his last two seasons. He had four starts the last two seasons and posted a career-best two sacks last season.

The Texans are looking for depth at outside linebacker. The versatility of Burnett, 6-3, 242, is appealing to the coaches.

[Brandyon]

How many times have the Texans completely failed in bring 3-4 guys into our defensive scheme?

[justtxyank]

How many times have the Texans completely failed in bring 3-4 guys into our defensive scheme?

?

If you mean converting them to a 4-3 player since Kubiak's been here, I can think of one, Anthony Weaver.

I don't get your point...

[ima_drummer2k]

He's coming from dallas? Make sure he gets a good shower before he gets here.

[Breaker]

How many times have the Texans completely failed in bring 3-4 guys into our defensive scheme?
Do you even know anything about Burnett? He played in a 4-3 system at Tenn. and didn't fit with the Cowboys in their 3-4. That why he never really produced. He was a 2nd round pick and the talent was there, he didn't fit the Cowboy's 3-4 system.

[Breaker]

His draft scouting report from SI.
BIO: Three-year starter and All-Conference selection who posted 120/6/1 as a senior. Team captain the past two years.

POSITIVES: Explosive defender who forces the action. Fast moving laterally, quick closing on the play and makes his presence felt. Gets depth on pass drops displaying outstanding range and collapses well from the outside defending the run. Breaks down well, plays with balance and rarely off his feet. Disciplined, does not bite the play action and takes good angles to ballcarriers. Occasionally placed over the slot receiver and does an admirable job. Defeats blocks and gets through the trash making the tackle.

NEGATIVES: Previous injuries include reconstructive surgery on his left knee in October of 2002. Does not always remain focused and mentally hesitant.

ANALYSIS: A tenacious, sideline-to-sideline defender, Burnett is a naturally gifted athlete with improved instincts. Lacks the great size, yet has shown consistent improvement in all areas of his game and could be the next productive NFL linebacker to come from the Tennessee program.

PROJECTION: Early Second Round

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2005/draft/players/65287.html

He ran a 4.61 forty at 240 lbs, so acquiring him would make him our fastest and second biggest LB. From reading his report, Burnett seems like a team leader, smart player, discipline tackler, and pretty good in coverage. He could push Adibi or Diles for one of their spot, and might even come cheap since he has yet to produce real well in the NFL.

It seems like he's one of those players that just didn't convert successfully in a 3-4.

[FLASH21]

I hate that they are beginning to pick up Dallas' trash...

But this guy does not look anything like trash if those articles are correct.

[The Cat]

I like Burnett a lot. Excellent, young talent who's undervalued because he was in a flawed system for his skills. Hope we can get this done.

[Brandyon]

?

If you mean converting them to a 4-3 player since Kubiak's been here, I can think of one, Anthony Weaver.

I don't get your point...

Anthony Weaver would be the best example of my point. He's been garbage.


I admittedly knew nothing about Burnett collegiate career though.

[justtxyank]

Anthony Weaver would be the best example of my point. He's been garbage.


I admittedly knew nothing about Burnett collegiate career though.

But you said "How many times have the Texans completely failed in bring 3-4 guys into our defensive scheme?"

The answer appears to be 1. Therefore your point is pretty weak.

[kaleidosky]

Anthony Weaver would be the best example of my point. He's been garbage.


I admittedly knew nothing about Burnett collegiate career though.

"best" or "only" ?

[CriscoKidd]

hmm ... I thought it was already forgone that he would end up in Miami.

Burnett is good, but his main knock has been that he has been injury prone. That's one of the main reasons he didn't shine.

He is definitely good in coverage. Was considered a good leader in college. Very athletic. Could shine if he stays healthy and is in the right situation. I think he could be a very good pick up for the Texans.

[Summer Song Giver]

Ok, another guy along with Antonio Smith, who I referred two twice as Andre Smith in the thread where we signed him, who I know very little about but MY GOD; are the Texans quietly going about filling ALL of the pre-draft holes with free agents?

I think this really sets up the possibility of the Texans pulling a shocker early on draft day.

How would the possibility of the HIGHEST rated running back or wideout not name Michael Crabtree being a Texan next year sound?

I know all of the professional ARM CHAIR Coach types would be up in arms with us not addressing Defense with every single pick of the draft; but think of the possibilities of our big short yardage back being a guy like Beanie Wells? Talk about being able to keep defenses guessing AND probably prolonging the careers of both Slaton and Wells, not to mention maximizing the productivity of your ground game by having two guys who excel at different things.

How about the possibility of not having your feet held to the fire next year when K-Dub's, that's Kevin Walter for you non-hip folks, contract is up; it would be nice to have already groomed a guy to step in for him.

I hope this gets done and not because I think Burnett is a world beater, he might be, but because with him Diles and Adibi already on board it really opens up the possibility for some shrewd moves come draft day.

Hell, what if one of the big Offensive Tackles are still on the board when it's time to turn in the pick?

The possibilities are endless and I am totally impressed with how this regime does things, it FINALLY feels good to be a Texans fan!

[redgoose]

He seems like someone who can really help the run defense with his speed. Bring him on and keep filling all the holes possible via free agency! You can't force people to succeed in a 3-4 if it's not their style as the Texans should surely know. Better to utilize a player's skills and i think Burnett should be tried in a 4-3 scheme just like anyone else who came out of college as talented as him.

Building solely via the draft hasn't panned out. It's time to use the draft to get us over the hump, not just to it. :)

[DieHard Rocket]

Ok, another guy along with Antonio Smith, who I referred two twice as Andre Smith in the thread where we signed him, who I know very little about but MY GOD; are the Texans quietly going about filling ALL of the pre-draft holes with free agents?

I think this really sets up the possibility of the Texans pulling a shocker early on draft day.

How would the possibility of the HIGHEST rated running back or wideout not name Michael Crabtree being a Texan next year sound?

I know all of the professional ARM CHAIR Coach types would be up in arms with us not addressing Defense with every single pick of the draft; but think of the possibilities of our big short yardage back being a guy like Beanie Wells? Talk about being able to keep defenses guessing AND probably prolonging the careers of both Slaton and Wells, not to mention maximizing the productivity of your ground game by having two guys who excel at different things.

How about the possibility of not having your feet held to the fire next year when K-Dub's, that's Kevin Walter for you non-hip folks, contract is up; it would be nice to have already groomed a guy to step in for him.

I hope this gets done and not because I think Burnett is a world beater, he might be, but because with him Diles and Adibi already on board it really opens up the possibility for some shrewd moves come draft day.

Hell, what if one of the big Offensive Tackles are still on the board when it's time to turn in the pick?

The possibilities are endless and I am totally impressed with how this regime does things, it FINALLY feels good to be a Texans fan!

Possible, but this front office isn't about flash or shock value. We're filling holes but by no means are these guys penciled in to start for the next 3+ years.

Number two wide receivers are too easy to find to warrant drafting one in the first round. Running back is a little more possible, but I don't think they're as worried about it as most of the fans. In Gibbs system they can turn Slaton and an average back into the best 1-2 punch in the division.

I think we'll either take an OLB with our pick, or trade down and pick up a DE or safety. Outside chance of taking a CB in the first round.

[Wooderson]

Man, if the Texans can go into the draft with the glaring holes at LDE and OLB filled, then Rick Smith deserves some serious kudos!

This will really change up how we draft, if we get Burnett. It would give us the flexibility to take a player like Beanie Wells, or better yet - trade down and pick up an extra pick or two (of 4 if you're trading with Carolina).

[gucci888]

Man, if the Texans can go into the draft with the glaring holes at LDE and OLB filled, then Rick Smith deserves some serious kudos!

This will really change up how we draft, if we get Burnett. It would give us the flexibility to take a player like Beanie Wells, or better yet - trade down and pick up an extra pick or two (of 4 if you're trading with Carolina).

Smith would definitely deserve something if we drafted Wells, but it wouldn't be kudos.

I'm starting to warm up to the idea of trading down because I don't think a lot of the guys I want will be available at #15. Now that our biggest need has been filled, if we can get Burnett, I would really like to see the Texans pick up a guy like Peria Jerry (DT) in the 1st.

[Wooderson]

Smith would definitely deserve something if we drafted Wells, but it wouldn't be kudos.

I'm starting to warm up to the idea of trading down because I don't think a lot of the guys I want will be available at #15. Now that our biggest need has been filled, if we can get Burnett, I would really like to see the Texans pick up a guy like Peria Jerry (DT) in the 1st.

If that's who I am thinking of then he would be a good guy to put next to Okoye. How far down do you think that we could go and still get him?

[Rookie34]

Burnett signed with the Chargers ... http://www.chargers.com/news/headlines/lb-burnett-agrees.htm