Oren Burks Might Not Get a Better Chance

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

4 years ago

It’s easy to see why linebacker the Green Bay Packers liked Oren Burks as a third-round pick. In 2018, the Green Bay wanted to get faster on defense, and not many prospects were better suited than Burks, a safety-linebacker hybrid out of Vanderbilt. So, they traded up to get him. However, his athletic testing aside, Burks has been a major flop. Through 26 games, he has failed to crack the rotation. And with only a couple of years left on his rookie deal, he could be running out of opportunities.

A 4.59 forty, 39.5-inch vertical, 10’11” broad jump, and a 6.82 three-cone time. For an inside linebacker, these numbers are tremendous. Even in today’s NFL where teams are looking for more athleticism out of the position than ever before. Burks fit the mold nearly perfect, however, it’s hard to gauge where Burks fit into the team’s plans. They just selected inside linebacker Kamal Martin in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

At the time of Burks’ selection, Blake Martinez was coming into his own and the Packers probably didn’t expect Jake Ryan to tear his ACL that July. Ryan’s unfortunate injury presented Burks with a great opportunity for his rookie season while everyone remained optimistic.

Continue Reading @ CheeseheadTV

CheeseheadTV wrote:

I don't know if it's his number or size, or play, or all the above, but I feel like Burks is a big Safety.

Wanna join the discussion?! Login to your PACKERSHOME forum account or Register a new forum account

Smokey
Veteran Member

4 years ago

I'd like to see Burks burst forth in his 3rd season.

A note for Zero: Will you be posting the 2020 GB Draft picks in the forums Packer Draft History? I noticed it has not been updated.

beast
Select Member

4 years ago

I don't know if it's his number or size, or play, or all the above, but I feel like Burks is a big Safety.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

1) It's because he basically is.
2) That actually MIGHT be offensive to the big Safeties who actually have more power than Burks, which at times Burks looked like he was completely lacking.

As for the start of the article saying it was easy to see why they liked him, that's only if you look at the combine testing numbers. He's extremely athletic in shorts. The film was a different story, a number of NFL CBs had more power than Burks did in college, hell a couple of kickers had more power in their tackling than Burks showed in college.

Burks is the anti-Martinez, Burk has great movement skills, but can also be easily fooled and even if he gets there quickly, there is absolutely no garentee that he'll bring the guy down, as he might just grab and fall, and pray he can hold on.

Don't get me wrong, I'm talking about him in college and he has improved in the NFL, but Russell Wilson made him look absolutely silly on one play, Burks had him one on one, and Wilson just pump faked making Burks run completely wrong direction, which gave Wilson the edge to run for like 20+ yards when he should of had less than 5 if not a possible sack.

When you have the QB, and only person on the edge for a running QB, you don't come off of them.

But this is truely a great chance for an ILB to step up, and Gute really was hyping Burks, so maybe he's shown a lot lot better in practice or something. But Burks has been plain bad on defense in games so far.

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

4 years ago

I'm not sure we can cast a guy aside because Russell Wilson made him look silly. The guy kind of has made a living out of that. Now if it was someone like Rex Grossman who repeatedly made him look silly -- THAT would be something worth mentioning, lol. (and hint to retire!)

beast
Select Member

4 years ago

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

I agree with that, and I'm not saying give up on the guy, but from everything I've seen so far, the guy looking like an amazing athlete but a horrible football player.

But I've seen Mason Crosby clearly tackle better than some of Burks hits.

And it wasn't Wilson that made him look silly, but his completely lacking instincts in football weariness... you had the QB dead to rights, and you drop back into coverage when there is no one else within 15 yards of you?

And this isn't a one time thing, but repetitive... just that was the worst looking one and it happened last year, where the others are from his rookie year, as he really didn't see the field while on defense last year.

I think he's a great athlete, but he might not be enough of a football player... PPF rated him as a 45.0 (their scores can go that low?)

Of course, who knows, he could totally shock me and pull it around, Gute hyping him, is giving me a little bit of hope that he's shown a lot more in practice than he has on the game field. But it's been extremely hard for me to believe in Burks after watching his lack of instincts and failure to finish tackles because lack of power.

I'm thinking we'll see Raven Greene as a coverage LB more and Burks less.... or may be the FA LB at coverage LB and someone else at the run stopper ILB role.

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

4 years ago

I was getting stoked about Raven Greene. I was thinking he could be a poor man's Nick Collins. And that's not a slight on him. If he can be 3/4 of Nick Collins, I call that a massive freaking win! But this topic is about Burks and I got nothing bout the dude. I hope he pans out, I just can't say I'm too optimistic.

beast
Select Member

4 years ago

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

The topic is about Burks who is basically limited to the covert ILB role, so I figure the coverage ILB role and whom else might play it, is included.

If Kirksey gets at the coverage ILB role with Summers or Martin (or an OLB on creative package roles), then that will limit Burks reps.

And basically Amos and Greene, one at SS and one at the coverage ILB role are the guys that will be competing with Burks for the coverage ILB playing time when Kirksey is at run stopper role.

Honestly I think Greene is good, but might be a bit over rated simply from the f act the games we saw him play, the defensive front just dominated those OLs. Don't get me wrong, Greene played great in those games, but it's much easier to hide flaws when the guys in front of you are dominating.

Side note: I think Savage has the raw physical potential to be better than Nick Collins. Collins had very few flaws, but one he had (especially early), was mentally overaggressive, where he would see something and lock into it and solely it. Which when that was correct, he usually made a big play. But when he was wrong, he usually blew a coverage. Savage basically has the same upside and he doesn't have that flaw.

Collins might of been a bit bigger and more physical, but Savage is quite aggressive and physical when he's allowed to come out of his deep zone too.

PS: Just because someone has the potential to be better, doesn't mean they'll reach that potential, just that in theory, they could.

gbguy20
Veteran Member

4 years ago

I'm rooting for Burks. Though I don't see how his chances are better with Blake gone than with him here. We've already got Blake's assumed replacement with Christian. Either Pettine just hates using a second LB or Burks main competition wasn't his fellow LB's but it was the safeties used in that spot. I'd like to see him be given a chance, and earn his chance, but who knows, maybe their just isn't a way for a 2nd LB to get decent playing time in this defense.

BAD EMAIL because the address couldn ot be found, or is unable to receive mail.

beast
Select Member

4 years ago

Originally Posted by: gbguy20

I believe their is a coverage LB spot, which in theory Burks should be perfect for, but as you said he's competing against the Safeties and so far and losing.

I think Kirksey, if healthy, is verstile enough to play either spot, and as you noted, he might be used as the coverage LB with Summers or Martin as the chase physical run stopping.

So I think you make a great point, that the Safeties are still here and a more versatile LB, so Burks chances of getting on the field might be worse than last year, where they just had the non-cover LBers and some injured Safeties.

Important Information:

The PACKERSHOME uses cookies. By continuing to browse this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More Details Close

Fan Shout

wpr (30-May) : It's all good.

beast (30-May) : Yeah, and I enjoyed your comments and just attempted to add to it. Sorry if I did it incorrectly.

wpr (30-May) : Beast I never said Henderson was the salt of the earth. Nor even that he was correct. Just quoting the guy.

Zero2Cool (29-May) : What did you do??

Zero2Cool (29-May) : Whoa

beast (29-May) : OMG the website is now all white, even some white on white text

beast (29-May) : Henderson, who admits to taking cocaine during the Super Bowl against the Steelers, might dislike Bradshaw as he lost two Superbowls to him

wpr (28-May) : Hollywood Henderson said Bradshaw “is so dumb, he couldn't spell 'cat' if you spotted him the C and an A.”

Mucky Tundra (28-May) : Cooper stock=BUY BUY BUY

Mucky Tundra (28-May) : Also notes he’s playing with more confidence.

Mucky Tundra (28-May) : @AndyHermanNFL MLF says there was a time last year where Cooper was at 220 pounds. Now he’s at 240 and still flying around.

Mucky Tundra (28-May) : And don't even get me started on Frank Caliendos "impersonations"

Mucky Tundra (28-May) : I got tired of them being circle jerks with them overlaughing at each others jokes.

Zero2Cool (28-May) : It used to be must watch TV for me. now it's "meh" maybe to hear injury update

Mucky Tundra (28-May) : I haven't watched the pregame shows in years and I don't feel like I've missed a thing

Zero2Cool (28-May) : Love says knee affected him all season, groin injury didn't help matters.

Zero2Cool (28-May) : I used to enjoy him on FOX Pregame. Now it's like a frat party of former Patriots.

Zero2Cool (28-May) : LaFleur on Watson: “Christian is doing outstanding. I would say he’s ahead of schedule.”

Martha Careful (28-May) : Bradshaw is a dumb ass cracker. I am so tired of his "aw shucks" diatribe. He should shrivel up and go away.

buckeyepackfan (28-May) : He wad all butt hurt because Aaron duped the media saying he was immunized.

buckeyepackfan (28-May) : Bradshaw needs to retire. He's been ripping on Rodgers ever since the covid crap. He was all hury

Zero2Cool (28-May) : Terry Bradshaw doesn't want Rodgers in Pittsburgh lol wow

Zero2Cool (27-May) : one day contract, which he also feels is pointless, but if Packers came to him, he would

packerfanoutwest (27-May) : Aaron Rodgers talks possibility of retiring with Packers, just another rumor

dfosterf (27-May) : Go watch 2001

Zero2Cool (26-May) : 1984

dfosterf (26-May) : That movie sent a chill through many. 1968.

dfosterf (26-May) : "Open the pod bay doors, HAL"

buckeyepackfan (25-May) : Haven't we all seen thus movie? It doesn't end well!! Lol

Zero2Cool (25-May) : lol Anthropic’s new AI model turns to blackmail when engineers try to take it offline

dfosterf (25-May) : Claude Opus 4

dfosterf (25-May) : AI system resorts to blackmail when its developers threaten to take it offline

beast (22-May) : Colts Owner Jim Irsay has passed away

Zero2Cool (21-May) : Well, emailing should work now. After not working for almost a year. Oops.

Zero2Cool (21-May) : Brotherly Shove did not get enough votes.

Zero2Cool (20-May) : lol our email hasn't worked in months. 7 pages of unverified users

Zero2Cool (20-May) : MySpace Screaming Lord Byron ... Brett Favre.

Zero2Cool (19-May) : Packers have signed first-round pick Matthew Golden, leaving second-round tackle Anthony Belton as their only unsigned draft pick

beast (19-May) : Supposedly he has to take his image, and name off of it... but otherwise could keep selling wine if he wanted to.

Zero2Cool (19-May) : he giving up his win business?

beast (19-May) : Speaking of Woodson, sounds like he'll be a minority owner (0.1%) of the Browns

Mucky Tundra (15-May) : Zero, regarding Woodson, that'd why I find the timing with Williams peculiar

dfosterf (15-May) : Ryan Hall y'all does a great job of tracking thesr

Zero2Cool (15-May) : Fear not!! I planned to do 33mi bike ride tomorrow morning, so ... yeah

Zero2Cool (15-May) : We got some dark clouds and nasty winds right bout now.

Zero2Cool (15-May) : Madison they had hail 4pm.

dfosterf (15-May) : Sure looks like these tornadoes are headed towards Green Bay

Zero2Cool (15-May) : Woodson of Charles fame was reluctant and then loved it. that didn't really come out until post career

Mucky Tundra (15-May) : IE "We bought into the Bears and they let us down, we have no choice to seek alternatives"

Mucky Tundra (15-May) : Or that Williams and his family are preparing an exit ramp if they don't like how things are going in a few years

Please sign in to use Fan Shout

2025 Packers Schedule

Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM

LIONS

Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM

COMMANDERS

Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM

Browns

Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM

Cowboys

Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM

BENGALS

Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM

Cardinals

Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM

Steelers

Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM

PANTHERS

Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM

EAGLES

Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM

Giants

Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM

VIKINGS

Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM

Lions

Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM

BEARS

Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM

Broncos

Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM

Bears

Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM

RAVENS

Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM

Vikings