Vontaze Burfict

by csc06258 on Jan 31, 2012 10:47 AM EST

So with the draft coming up and our transition back to a 4-3 has got me thinking. I know we were going into this draft looking for a OLB/DE pass rusher and now it looks more evident that we may be leaning towards finding your prototypical 4-3 DE. Problem is, I don't see one at #10 worth taking a shot on at all. If we stay, I would be very content with taking one of the top Tackles, considering one will be there and they all seem to be very solid prospects. Locking up one of the most important positions in football for the next 10 years seems to be a good idea. However...

If we go the route of pass rusher we need to trade down. I know we probably won't, but there is no one worth taking at 10. The only player I would take at 10 is Upshaw. Upshaw is going to be a solid player in this league for many years, something the Bills need. However, I don't think he has the "star" potential. Vontaze Burfict defines "star" potential. I get chills watching this guy play. Every hit seems to be like a heat sinking bomb. If you haven't seen some of his tape you can go check it out, I promise you will enjoy. The only negative here, is he is a bit of a hot head, something the Bills don't even bother with usually. A trade down to the bottom of the first to nab this guy would be a great move. Nix showed he can draft, last year, he nearly hit on every player. Giving him more picks and still picking up what I think will be the best LB to come out of this draft would be a good move. The only problem is, will be taming this beast, which may be difficult. I can just see him replacing Ray Lewis for the next ten years. He is the same kind of animal and he can be taught there. I also see a team like NE getting him late in the first, or the Steelers. They will turn this freak into the next best linebacker next to Patrick Willis. I am willing to take a shot on this guy, given the lack of top tier pass rushers available at 10. If not, I would be happy with one of the tackles if we stay, but I really see an animal here folks...Do you agree? would you take a shot at him if we traded down?

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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Apparently he has trouble making defensive alignment calls

http://scoutsnotebook.com/2012/01/player-spotlight-vontaze-burfict/

Link is interesting. It sours me even more on Burflict.

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by mob16151 on Jan 31, 2012 10:57 AM EST reply actions

Its sad because he is such a talent. I can just see the Pats or Balt taking him and him being the best linebacker in the league. I am not sure our coaching staff or group could groom him. I think Ray Lewis could. Too bad he is not more polished cuz i would take him at 10 if he was

by csc06258 on Jan 31, 2012 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

I honestly wouldn't take him

till round 5. Burflict to me is a prototypical case of 10$ body .10 cent mind.

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by mob16151 on Jan 31, 2012 11:18 AM EST up reply actions

There is a downside as well. Burfict doesn’t diagnose plays well. Lacks the instincts you want in a MLB.

Phony baloney. That is not what I saw here.

I also strongly disagree with other opinions that I have elsewhere that say that he plays so out of control that he tends to take wrong angles to the football. The tape proves that wrong in my opinion.

by AP22 on Jan 31, 2012 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

*seen elsewhere.

by AP22 on Jan 31, 2012 1:41 PM EST up reply actions

What about the rumors

Magee was the one who called defensive plays for the sundevils

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by mob16151 on Jan 31, 2012 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

That really isn’t something that we can substantiate. That is going to be on the coaching staff and the scouts to figure that one out in my opinion. I do however, have my doubts about that claim though. You can see in one of the shots him motioning with his hand. I don’t think that he was trying to swat fruit flies away from his face or anything like that. :)

by AP22 on Jan 31, 2012 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

well

i respect your opinion,and we’ll have to agree to disagree.

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by mob16151 on Jan 31, 2012 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

I totally agree with you here

Vontaze is my “man crush” for the 2012 draft. Just wondering, where do you seem him playing and who do you have him replacing?

There is this belief that we are set at the MLB positon, but if CHIX sees Sheppard as the MLB in our 4-3, i defintely think we can upgrade that positoin with Vontaze or Kulechy (spelling).

by doctork44 on Jan 31, 2012 10:58 AM EST reply actions

I really like Shep in the middle. I think he will be a solid LB, especially against the run. I think Vontaze could play outside, he has the speed to do so. I don’t know where that would leave Barnett and I am not sure who would play where, but I think Vontaze is a rare talent that needs to be given a shot. He has the best potential to be one of the best and most feared linebackers in the league

by csc06258 on Jan 31, 2012 11:14 AM EST up reply actions

We should take a shot with him. And have our 3 LBs be Barnett Sheppard Burflict. that could be the best LB trio in the nfl

Ay Ay Ay Ayyyyy

by BuffaloBillsBigestFan on Jan 31, 2012 12:29 PM EST up reply actions

Totally Agree

I think the potential character concerns are more the type that are manageable at the NFL level with proper coaching and discipline in the locker room, rather than the Santonio Holmes-esque blow-up-the-locker-room type.
Also, being a Pitt student during his time there, I know that the Wannstache has plenty of exp. dealing with and getting solid production out of some of the more unruly player (link related)
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/the_bonus/02/27/cfb.crime/index.html

Watching Burfict play, he clearly has the speed, power, and aggressiveness to immediately improve our linebacking core, and possibly challenge Barnett for its top-billing.

And finally, after reading Brians article regarding who we are looking for in a SAM, I couldnt help but think that Burfict seems to possess all the necessary attributes. We already know CHIX arent shy about changing a player’s position (see: Moats, Arthur).

I almost think he looks like he would be worth the pick at 10.

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by uPitt_BillsFan on Jan 31, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

yea I am really high on him right now, I see him being an all pro. I just know the pats will probably take him. I hate seeing this stuff happen every year. Its pretty obvious how good he is too. And I would take him at 10 if their wasn’t any character issues. Knowing we can get him at the end of the first though warrants a trade down to pick up extra picks and still get our man. I have my fingers crossed for this freak. We need some attitude on defense. I don’t mind a tenacious hitter with a couple screws loose playing linebacker. Just ask Dick Butkis how he thought when he played

by csc06258 on Jan 31, 2012 3:11 PM EST up reply actions

i think this year he will step in as a starter at the sam lb position and learn even more over this year and barnett, dareus and shep will be the leaders of the defence and keep him in line.

in 2 years he will take over the nickel spot and burflict and shep will be our nickel lbs. and we will have 2 great LBs for the next 10 years

Ay Ay Ay Ayyyyy

by BuffaloBillsBigestFan on Jan 31, 2012 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

I want him.

Im hoping that Kirkpatrick is available at 10.

Buffalo, unwisely, will not want him because of his weed incident.

Dallas calls, offers a swap 1sts and we get their 3rd as well.

Dallas gets their CB they need badly, we got Burflict at 14 and have an exrta 3rd now.

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by bflo on Jan 31, 2012 3:35 PM EST reply actions

The Writeup reminds me of Donte

A guy who can hit big but lacks pieces in his game to be a top tier talent. The CB’s in San Fran were able to mask his lack of cover talent.

by NHBillzFan on Jan 31, 2012 4:51 PM EST reply actions

not in the playoffs they werent

he had to be the worst player on the field for the whole playoffs, he made one big hit. And missed probably around 10 tackles.

With the 10th Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft the Buffalo Bills select Dont'a Hightower LB Alabama.

by tomcs on Jan 31, 2012 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

the only piece he is lacking is his mental ability not to physically kill or hurt someone. He is very aware of plays. Has quick recognition, is lightning fast. Squares up like no one I have ever seen before and puts fear into other teams. He will be a force for some team. He is nothing like Whitner. All he needs is a good coach player to coach him along. I would love this guys intensity on this team of sallies. Ray Lewis is a similar player…he is such a meanie!

by csc06258 on Feb 1, 2012 12:03 AM EST up reply actions

you have it wrong

Ray Lewis is one of the best linebackers the league has ever seen.

This guy wont hold a candle to him because 1.) he will be injured he is going to get hurt throwing his body around against NFL size players….that play gets you by in college wont in the NFL.

2.) He will get suspended.

He doesn’t recognize things well he gets eaten up on blocks and he goes for hits not tackles. If you are going for the big hit you have to make the tackle and he doesn’t do that.

He is like Whitner because he DOESN’T play as a unit. He plays as an individual and on defense you need to know your team mate has your back. He takes the unnecessary risk and bails out.

by mike$bills on Feb 1, 2012 1:42 AM EST up reply actions

He is extremely durable and has the prototypical size at his position so I don’t get why you assume he will just get hurt because he loves to hit hard. From what I have seen he blows up every play. Some team will take him high. He is an outstanding talent. If trained right. Maybe under a guy like ray Lewis this guy has the potential to be great. Every report says just that. Mentally he needs support. I’m sure the good organizations can groom him and that’s what will happen

by csc06258 on Feb 1, 2012 9:05 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

He is going to get hurt this way:

He “lines” up a HB for a big hit. The back flanks him and steps around him. His foot is caught in the turf and he tears his achilles and is out for the year. This kid has no control. he is reckless. The guys in the NFL can handle him.

by suteck on Feb 1, 2012 10:11 AM EST up reply actions

He "lines" up a HB for a big hit. The back flanks him and steps around him.

That is possible but from the footage that I have seen, I haven’t seen it happen.

This kid has no control. he is reckless.

I disagree with that. To me it looks like he throws his body around more when the opposing team is around the goal line. And honestly, I think you need linebackers to be throwing themselves over the top to get the guy if they need to. Would you complain if he did that and the Bills got to the Superbowl? I don’t think so. And yes he does play physical. Troy Polamalu plays physical and is a little reckless. Do you have a problem with that? And I disagree with your statement that he has no control. He looked pretty well under control in the Youtube video that I posted.

by AP22 on Feb 1, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

You should look at some others

The plays he has been suspended for. He plays out of control. It is one thing to play at the edge of control (like Ray Lewis does), then out of control. I can see him getting fined (like Harrison) and acting like a bonehead.

I'd rather go out in a blaze of glory, then slowly fade away in the antiquities of time.

by suteck on Feb 1, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

NEVER...DONT'A Hightower on the other thand

I dislike this guy so much. He is like terrance newman just likes to hit hard.

Hightower though is a pick i can get behind.

by mike$bills on Feb 1, 2012 1:29 AM EST reply actions

I do like donta too. Would love to get both

by csc06258 on Feb 1, 2012 9:06 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

For fun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_jDyvvg4MY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2lUsCay2Ro&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VzapQ5W0V8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3z7gomDA4A&feature=related

Number 7 is Burflict

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by mob16151 on Feb 1, 2012 1:49 PM EST reply actions

In the second video, it did not look like a punch at all. It looked like he pushed him and the lineman did the Florence flop. You can even see him lightly push his teammate to show him what he did. The last one is no big deal. That probably happens all the time. The headbutt and the not listening to the coach are a big issue. He needs to change. But I definitely think that the Bills can do that. I think the Bills have the veterans right now that can deal with him. Shawne Merriman, Chris Kelsay, Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus, Andre Davis, Nick Barnett, and George Wilson could handle him and teach him if he is willing to learn.

by AP22 on Feb 1, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

Its the fact that

these videos are out there at all thats worrying. Where theres smoke, theres fire.

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by mob16151 on Feb 1, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

Uh dude just about everything ends up on Youtube. I wouldn’t be surprised if Stevie’s touchdown celebration against the Jets or the Patriots was on Youtube. And two of the videos that you pointed out are no big deal in my opinion.

by AP22 on Feb 1, 2012 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

Ok go type in Luke Kuechly

dirty player, then type in Vontaze Burflict dirty player.

That was the searches I used btw.

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by mob16151 on Feb 1, 2012 2:21 PM EST up reply actions

I will. But I have a question for you. Don’t Chiefs fans think that Stevie is a dirty player for the legal cut block that he threw against Berry?

by AP22 on Feb 1, 2012 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

But one incident

does not a trend make.

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by mob16151 on Feb 1, 2012 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

How does him smashing his helmet on the ground in frustration after he sits on the bench or him pushing an offensive lineman part of a trend? I would actually be more concerned if he took the helmet and smashed it against his own head like I saw one player do not too long ago. And I definitely don’t think that block by Stevie was dirty. I thought that it was clean and legal.

by AP22 on Feb 1, 2012 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

I have seen two videos so far on Burfict. Go to the 1:52 mark on this one real quick.

by AP22 on Feb 1, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

Notice there on the same team there

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by mob16151 on Feb 1, 2012 2:36 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah I did after you mentioned it. That just means that he will have to figure out a way to get his jersey changed to #12 once he comes to Buffalo. ;). Won’t happen because of the rules but you get the picture.

by AP22 on Feb 1, 2012 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

He does have some issues but I don’t think that they are too much for him to get over and I think he is talented enough to help the Bills.

by AP22 on Feb 1, 2012 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

It's all good

I just felt the urge to represent the other viewpoint on Burflict……..(Again lol)

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by mob16151 on Feb 1, 2012 9:53 PM EST up reply actions

And that is good that you did. There has to be a balance. Otherwise we get too crazy and go all in one way or the other and we might not really know what we are asking for.

by AP22 on Feb 1, 2012 11:03 PM EST up reply actions