What's the deal with Artie Burns, anyway?

[GoSlash27]

I mean... I think he'd be a decent CB if he'd just quit making so many mental errors. As it stands, opposing QBs are singling him out like the lame zebra in the herd.
Is dude not being coached right? Not capable of picking up the fundamentals? Distracted?

Best,
-Slashy

[fansince'76]

I honestly believe it's (lack of) coaching. It was well known that he was a raw talent coming in and we have nobody on the coaching staff who can coach him up properly.

[Moose]

He's so terrible no other team would even trade anything for him. Evidently we're stuck with him. Maybe he could serve his time just helping pack equipment when traveling, just please keep him off the field.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I honestly believe it's (lack of) coaching. It was well known that he was a raw talent coming in and we have nobody on the coaching staff who can coach him up properly.

But, does Coaching teach him not to give Tyler Boyd a 5 yard cushion in the end zone for a TD?? That is pretty much peewee level CB stuff.

I agree that he still has the same lousy backpedal and change of direction technique that he had in college at Miami and I would have thought some fundamentals would improve, but they haven't. He still gets caught looking to jump the first move and miss the WR on the break, but it goes beyond coaching IMO. I hope he has been smart with his money, as he will likely be getting paid in Canadian dollars in a season or 2 IMO.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

:cfl: I didn't know this emoji existed. Perfect for Artie IMO.

[Steeldude]

He sucks mentally and fundamentally.

[Fire Goodell]

Shamarko thomas syndrome. Talented as hell, dumb as rocks

[Shoes]

The deal is he isn't a R1 talent like J Jones & Bud Dupree weren't. The FO & coaches have a hard time facing crow dinner, so they keep playing them with the same results...stuck in the mud. Every excuse was given and played out for Jones and Dupree, too light, too heavy, technique, switching left to right, they must have an injury and on it goes. I don't think Jones and Dupree (were) are slackers, I think they work hard, you just can't put in what God left out. Burns is another issue, he has talent but there is some type of block between the ears. I really wonder if the guy is teachable.

[Born2Steel]

I mean... I think he'd be a decent CB if he'd just quit making so many mental errors. As it stands, opposing QBs are singling him out like the lame zebra in the herd.
Is dude not being coached right? Not capable of picking up the fundamentals? Distracted?

Best,
-Slashy

I agree. There is something different this season. And not a good something. I don't know what it is.

[AtlantaDan]

Shamarko thomas syndrome. Talented as hell, dumb as rocks

P-G article today on Burns being on the edge of being benched due to "lapses in concentration" indicates that is an issue

[A]fter being pulled mid-series on Cincinnati’s final drive Sunday afternoon, Burns could be permanently benched if he doesn’t show improvement over the next week....

One way the Steelers might be able to help Burns is by lining him up and playing him in more man coverage. That would reduce how much he has to think

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2018/10/16/contract-artie-burns-benched-Tom-Bradley-db-coach-Mike-Tomlin-Coty-Sensabaugh/stories/201810160138

[86WARD]

When do the Steelers need to decide on his Option year? Is that this coming off-season or the next?

[AtlantaDan]

When do the Steelers need to decide on his Option year? Is that this coming off-season or the next?

They must decide by May whether to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. The option likely would be in the neighborhood of $10 million for the 2020 season.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2018/10/16/contract-artie-burns-benched-Tom-Bradley-db-coach-Mike-Tomlin-Coty-Sensabaugh/stories/201810160138

[Mojouw]

They must decide by May whether to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. The option likely would be in the neighborhood of $10 million for the 2020 season.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2018/10/16/contract-artie-burns-benched-Tom-Bradley-db-coach-Mike-Tomlin-Coty-Sensabaugh/stories/201810160138

But just like Dupree, they can pick it up and let Burns play in 2019 and then walk away from it. I think. I found this on the internet:

"Fifth-year options are guaranteed for injury only between May 3 and the start of the following league year. As such, they’re not entirely risk-free, but as long as the player remains healthy, a team could exercise his fifth-year option, then cut him before his option year gets underway without being on the hook for his salary. When the league year begins, the player’s fifth-year salary becomes guaranteed for skill and cap purposes, as well as injury."

So you can hang onto a guy for his cheap 4th year of his rookie year and hope like hell the lightbulb goes off. If it doesn't you can just cut him. Almost certainly what they do with Burns.

[AtlantaDan]

But just like Dupree, they can pick it up and let Burns play in 2019 and then walk away from it. I think. I found this on the internet:

"Fifth-year options are guaranteed for injury only between May 3 and the start of the following league year. As such, they’re not entirely risk-free, but as long as the player remains healthy, a team could exercise his fifth-year option, then cut him before his option year gets underway without being on the hook for his salary. When the league year begins, the player’s fifth-year salary becomes guaranteed for skill and cap purposes, as well as injury."

So you can hang onto a guy for his cheap 4th year of his rookie year and hope like hell the lightbulb goes off. If it doesn't you can just cut him. Almost certainly what they do with Burns.

Yep - although the Steelers did not even exercise the option for Jarvis Jones

Thank goodness the guaranteed for injury only clause existed for Ryan Shazier

[Moose]

I just scratch my head all the time as to HOW some of these guys become 'so-called' professionals. Just seems like college ball would be his challenge, especially as a CB.:scratchchin:

[Mojouw]

Yep - although the Steelers did not even exercise the option for Jarvis Jones

Thank goodness the guaranteed for injury only clause existed for Ryan Shazier

I strongly suspect that Burns gets his option exercised. Everyone will lose their minds.

Burns and Dupree are very different than Jones. Both have more than enough physical capabilities to play in the NFL, potentially even excel. An NFL team is going to hold on that to lottery ticket until it crumples to dust in their hand.

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I just scratch my head all the time as to HOW some of these guys become 'so-called' professionals. Just seems like college ball would be his challenge, especially as a CB.:scratchchin:

If you have the physical tools for an NFL team to select you in the first round, or even consider doing that, college football was likely laughably easy for you.

[86WARD]

So you can hang onto a guy for his cheap 4th year of his rookie year and hope like hell the lightbulb goes off. If it doesn't you can just cut him. Almost certainly what they do with Burns.
I think the lightbulb is already off...lol. ;)

[86WARD]

I strongly suspect that Burns gets his option exercised. Everyone will lose their minds.

Burns and Dupree are very different than Jones. Both have more than enough physical capabilities to play in the NFL, potentially even excel. An NFL team is going to hold on that to lottery ticket until it crumples to dust in their hand.

- - - Updated - - -



If you have the physical tools for an NFL team to select you in the first round, or even consider doing that, college football was likely laughably easy for you.

Yes people will go nuts but if it’s not guaranteed, it’s obviously can’t hurt to do it and then cut ties if it doesn’t work out.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I just scratch my head all the time as to HOW some of these guys become 'so-called' professionals. Just seems like college ball would be his challenge, especially as a CB.:scratchchin:

In College, Burns played against the likes of Bethune-Cookman, Florida Atlantic, Nebraska, etc. Not a lot of the QB's there were going to the NFL. Stats nerds love the INT's and Burns got some cheap ones off of lousy QB's, by cheating off his coverages or being around tipped balls. I recall looking up some of his picks in college and it wasn't because of good CB play.

He got drafted because of the stopwatch and 6INT's in the ACC were seen as "potential". Bill Parcells said...."potential is a fancy French word that means you haven't done nothing yet". IMO, the Steelers should have drafted somebody that demonstrated they know how to play CB....but again, Burns was the best "boundary CB" left when they picked. Lots of guys felt Alexander, Fuller were slot CB's and they didn't need somebody in the slot, so they reached.

[86WARD]

In College, Burns played against the likes of Bethune-Cookman, Florida Atlantic, Nebraska, etc. Not a lot of the QB's there were going to the NFL. Stats nerds love the INT's and Burns got some cheap ones off of lousy QB's, by cheating off his coverages or being around tipped balls. I recall looking up some of his picks in college and it wasn't because of good CB play.

He got drafted because of the stopwatch and 6INT's in the ACC were seen as "potential". Bill Parcells said...."potential is a fancy French word that means you haven't done nothing yet". IMO, the Steelers should have drafted somebody that demonstrated they know how to play CB....but again, Burns was the best "boundary CB" left when they picked. Lots of guys felt Alexander, Fuller were slot CB's and they didn't need somebody in the slot, so they reached.

He got drafted because the Bengals stole William Jackson right from under the Steelers and Colbert and crew panicked and reached for a need at CB, in Burns instead of drafting the best available player on their chart. There were plenty of good LBs and a couple Safeties available that would’ve been better choices than Burns. That draft is starting to look pretty terrible in the big picture...

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

He got drafted because the Bengals stole William Jackson right from under the Steelers and Colbert and crew panicked and reached for a need at CB, in Burns instead of drafting the best available player on their chart. There were plenty of good LBs and a couple Safeties available that would’ve been better choices than Burns. That draft is starting to look pretty terrible in the big picture...

They said they were fine with either CB and there was also talk that year that Chiefs wanted Burns if the Steelers didn't draft him. Of course most of us wish they left Artie to goto KC. I liked Jackson as a cover CB much better, but as a tackler in run support he is horrible.

[st33lersguy]

Porous coaching is part of it. Carnell Lake may have been a great player, but he was a horrible coach, didn't seem to get the best out of anybody. The only DBs that seemed to perform well under him were veterans that were already playing well years before he was hired. Not to mention Keith Butler who seems to foster a culture of miscommunication. Bradley, it is still early yet, but the results after 6 games aren't favorable. Artie Burns being a knucklehead is another part of it.

I said this earlier, but it is worth repeating, you continue to draft guys with no actual football playing ability and hand them over to bad coaches, it's a recipe for disaster, and something has to change.

[Born2Steel]

Artie Burns' 1st 2 seasons he has averaged 13 PDs per season. So far only 1 this season.

Joe Haden's 8 seasons before this season he averaged 13 PDs per season. 7 so far this season.

I am not saying these numbers mean Burns is equal to Haden. Obviously Haden has done this every single year for nearly a decade. The point is these numbers and others like them is the reason Burns was drafted in the 1st round. NO, stats do not tell the whole story, but there is also no 'magic bullet' as to why a player has struggles. This kid can play CB at the NFL level. How to put Burns in the best place to succeed is what we're looking for. He has the skills.

[AtlantaDan]

This observation on Burns by Gerry Dulac in his P-G chat today would appear to be a problem for a third year NFL CB

He doesn't always understand down, distance and assignments.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2018/10/17/Gerry-Dulac-s-Steelers-chat-10-17-18/stories/201810170110

[SteelMember]

Porous coaching is part of it. Carnell Lake may have been a great player, but he was a horrible coach, didn't seem to get the best out of anybody. The only DBs that seemed to perform well under him were veterans that were already playing well years before he was hired. Not to mention Keith Butler who seems to foster a culture of miscommunication. Bradley, it is still early yet, but the results after 6 games aren't favorable. Artie Burns being a knucklehead is another part of it.

I said this earlier, but it is worth repeating, you continue to draft guys with no actual football playing ability and hand them over to bad coaches, it's a recipe for disaster, and something has to change.

I'd agree Lake didn't do much for him, and the fact that Bradley is still trying to hammer technique into him. Unfortunately, in his head, he's probably thinking way too much to give himself a chance... "Give a 10 yard cushion, backpedal, backpedal, backpedal, turn your hips, locate the ball, oops I'm out of position, where's the ball, grab his jersey, push him in the back, throw hands in the air in protest, jaw with the opposing sideline."
See, his head is swimming...

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

This observation on Burns by Gerry Dulac in his P-G chat today would appear to be a problem for a third year NFL CB

He doesn't always understand down, distance and assignments.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2018/10/17/Gerry-Dulac-s-Steelers-chat-10-17-18/stories/201810170110


Wow! I didn't think Burns was that challenged in the fundamental part of football. But, they do call it the "U" because most of their players cannot spell "Miami".

If that is true, then he is going to suffer the same fate as former Bears D lineman Alonzo Spellman. He had " the skills of a worldbeater, but the head of an egg beater" and never lived up to expectations.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I'd agree Lake didn't do much for him, and the fact that Bradley is still trying to hammer technique into him. Unfortunately, in his head, he's probably thinking way too much to give himself a chance... "Give a 10 yard cushion, backpedal, backpedal, backpedal, turn your hips, locate the ball, oops I'm out of position, where's the ball, grab his jersey, push him in the back, throw hands in the air in protest, jaw with the opposing sideline."
See, his head is swimming...

That's really unfortunate if that is the case. I have a 16 year old that gets his stance, shade, backpedal and hip turn down easy. He adjusts his tech to play backpedal, or bail technique based on the coverages his team is playing. He doesn't have 4.4 speed, (but isn't slow)so his technique is his friend.

[AtlantaDan]

Wow! I didn't think Burns was that challenged in the fundamental part of football. But, they do call it the "U" because most of their players cannot spell "Miami".

If that is true, then he is going to suffer the same fate as former Bears D lineman Alonzo Spellman. He had " the skills of a worldbeater, but the head of an egg beater" and never lived up to expectations.

Dulac and fellow P-G writer Ray Fittipaldo have both stated this week, presumably based upon talking with coaches, that Burns is pretty dim - hard to coach up stupid

[GBMelBlount]

Wasn't he part of the "Smarts & hearts" draft strategy?

If I am not mistaken Tomlin grabbed him so quickly when we were on the clock it seemed as though he thought he was getting the steal of the draft.

[Steeler-in-west]

Looks like we’re going corner and ilb in the next draft. Hopefully whoever is picking these corners has learned their lesson and we get it right finally. if there are no good corners trade for or squire one through FA, no more reaches, obviously we haven’t been successful coaching these ‘raw’ talents up.

[GBMelBlount]

I almost feel like we should just draft offense early and keep it loaded and acquire our defense through FA.

Depressing.

[Mojouw]

I think that this discussion is trending towards the "Artie Burns can't play and everyone involved in his evaluation was an idiot" end of the spectrum.

That's a bit of an exaggeration. After his rookie year, he looked comparable to almost any corner drafted in his class and seemed to hold some of the highest potential due to his inexperience playing football overall.

Last year, he made some improvements but also just didn't improve at some things.

This year, he just seems to have regressed in everything but run support. I see a player that is waaay too far into his own head and just can not seem to play with any instincts - at all.

But the draft pick wasn't such a fundamental misstep as some are making it out. Looking at the rest of his class, there is Ramsey and then a TON of question marks.

Apple was garbage last year and now seems okay across from Jenkins for the Giants.
Hargreaves has not been playing well prior to getting injured.

Jackson looks to be better than any other CB in the class not named Ramsey. With Xavien Howard pushing for 2nd or 3rd. Then you have to take a look at Kendall Fuller. But after that, Burns for all his many problems and total cratering in 2018 is just as good as anyone else in the class.

http://pfref.com/tiny/nZpWl

TL:DR - Drafting CBs is hard. Few teams are any good at it.

[GBMelBlount]

TL:DR - Drafting CBs is hard. Few teams are any good at it.

So just grab good ones through free agency which we have an opportunity to do?

[Mojouw]

So just grab good ones through free agency which we have an opportunity to do?
Maybe. But planning on ignoring a weakness and then just expecting the FA market to provide is not a great idea. But then again, what the heck do I know? :)

[GBMelBlount]

Maybe. But planning on ignoring a weakness and then just expecting the FA market to provide is not a great idea. But then again, what the heck do I know? :)

Truly enjoy your posts and insights Mojo.

I guess my point was just that with the high risk at certain positions perhaps you just do not take the risk and draft the more sure payoff picks in the early rounds?

Let somebody else take the high risks and pay for the winners.

[Mojouw]

Truly enjoy your posts and insights Mojo.

I guess my point was just that with the high risk at certain positions perhaps you just do not take the risk draft the more sure payoff picks in the early rounds?

Let somebody else take the high risks and pay for the winners.

That might work. In fact, I suspect we could use the smoking wreckage of DB draft picks in NE but their totally functional secondary built through the FA market on an almost annual basis as direct proof of your idea.

In fact, your almost certainly on to something here! Maybe just draft pass rushers and lineman and buy everything else?

[GBMelBlount]

That might work. In fact, I suspect we could use the smoking wreckage of DB draft picks in NE but their totally functional secondary built through the FA market on an almost annual basis as direct proof of your idea.

In fact, your almost certainly on to something here! Maybe just draft pass rushers and lineman and buy everything else?

LOL.

I get your point.

Although some would argue it all starts in the trenches. :wink02:

I would imagine there is an actuarial science to this and those who employ it to some degree will fare better than those who don't, all other things being equal.

Perhaps not tripping over oneself with glee and urgency when picking the 8th or 10th rated cornerback in the first round is a good start? :chuckle:

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

TL:DR - Drafting CBs is hard. Few teams are any good at it.

I think you take the strategy of drafting good DB's instead of rolling the dice that somebody could be "great", or has "potential upside".

Lots of guys over the years that I liked, who were not gonna be first round picks, but could help a secondary or were worth the value. Guys like Kurt Coleman from Ohio St, Jordan Poyer from Oregon St, were later rounders that the Steelers could have used, but took other guys that didn't work out. Steven Nelson was another Oregon St guy that was mid round who is a good slot CB, while Eric Murray from Minnesota was a big zone corner that ended up moving to Safety... and Fuller or Alexander were good DB's that could have played bigger roles than Burns IMO. I think Sutton was a good pick and one that will work out.

The issue is that the Steelers reached for Burns, when he really was more hype than substance. If you cant get a guy in the top 25 with good skills and production, then get good secondary players in the mid rounds like DeShea Townsend in the 4th, Keenan Lewis in the 3rd, Jason Simmons in the 5th, or shoot for some late round projects like Ike Taylor was in the 5th I think.

Burns just looked so bad to me on tape, games, and his combine workout looked anything but smooth.

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LOL.

I get your point.

Although some would argue it all starts in the trenches. :wink02:



Perhaps not tripping over oneself with glee and urgency when picking the 8th or 10th rated cornerback in the first round is a good start? :chuckle:

I'm that guy that says it all starts up front in the trenches.

I also thought the Steelers reached for the 8th best CB in Bryant McFadden, but it kind of worked out.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

I remember someone on here awhile back saying he sucks and sees no potential in him!

[GBMelBlount]

I think you take the strategy of drafting good DB's instead of rolling the dice that somebody could be "great", or has "potential upside".

Lots of guys over the years that I liked, who were not gonna be first round picks, but could help a secondary or were worth the value. Guys like Kurt Coleman from Ohio St, Jordan Poyer from Oregon St, were later rounders that the Steelers could have used, but took other guys that didn't work out. Steven Nelson was another Oregon St guy that was mid round who is a good slot CB, while Eric Murray from Minnesota was a big zone corner that ended up moving to Safety... and Fuller or Alexander were good DB's that could have played bigger roles than Burns IMO. I think Sutton was a good pick and one that will work out.

The issue is that the Steelers reached for Burns, when he really was more hype than substance. If you cant get a guy in the top 25 with good skills and production, then get good secondary players in the mid rounds like DeShea Townsend in the 4th, Keenan Lewis in the 3rd, Jason Simmons in the 5th, or shoot for some late round projects like Ike Taylor was in the 5th I think.

Burns just looked so bad to me on tape, games, and his combine workout looked anything but smooth.

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I'm that guy that says it all starts up front in the trenches.

I also thought the Steelers reached for the 8th best CB in Bryant McFadden, but it kind of worked out.

Agree & point taken!

It would also be nice if we picked up McFadden's cousin, Patrick Peterson.

[Hawkman]

Agree & point taken!

It would also be nice if we picked up McFadden's cousin, Patrick Peterson.

I see what you did there.:chuckle:

[Steeldude]

I remember someone on here awhile back saying he sucks and sees no potential in him!

More than one.

It was a horrible pick. A total reach.

I wonder how many on here will be clamoring for the Steelers to exercise the 5th year option on Burns.

[polamalubeast]

1057018546562035712

[Steelerchad]

I've never seen a last name more fitting for a corner back.

[Steeldude]

1057018546562035712

Burns is worse. At least Blake didn't refuse to tackle.

[Neversatisfied]

The last 10 years 1st round Defensive draft picks have been hit and miss for the Steelers

2009- Hood
2011- Hayward
2013- Jones
2014- Shazier
2015- Dupree
2016- Burns
2017- Watt
2018- Edmunds

[polamalubeast]

1057319161771315200

[DesertSteel]

The last 10 years 1st round Defensive draft picks have been hit and miss for the Steelers

2009- Hood
2011- Hayward
2013- Jones
2014- Shazier
2015- Dupree
2016- Burns
2017- Watt
2018- Edmunds
Worst first...
1. Jones
2. Burns
3. Hood
4. Dupree

[Edman]

Coaching has been Subpar for the Defensive backfield since as long I can remember. Even Sean Davis regressed.

Artie Burns was fine in 2016, regressed in 2017, and is even worse in 2018. You don't come into the league and regress after a rookie season if not for bad coaching.

Just goes to show how important coaching is in the grand scheme of things. Burns sucks now, but the coaching has been even worse.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Worst first...
1. Jones
2. Burns
3. Hood
4. Dupree

I don't think Hood was as bad as fans try and make him out to be. The guy has played a decade of interior line in the NFL and was strong at the point of attack. Its not like he was out of the NFL and non productive like Jarvis Jones.

That being said, I think Blake was worse than Burns as he was always gonna give up receptions, cushion and yardage on a consistent basis. Burns is more of a guy that likes to give up big plays due to dumb mistakes. A 5th round talent drafted in the 1st because of size and speed.

[pczach]

I don't think Hood was as bad as fans try and make him out to be. The guy has played a decade of interior line in the NFL and was strong at the point of attack. Its not like he was out of the NFL and non productive like Jarvis Jones.

That being said, I think Blake was worse than Burns as he was always gonna give up receptions, cushion and yardage on a consistent basis. Burns is more of a guy that likes to give up big plays due to dumb mistakes. A 5th round talent drafted in the 1st because of size and speed.


Hood wasn't that bad. He was played in a scheme that didn't fit him. He was a 4-3 DT in college. Steelers drafted him and projected him to play DE in a 3-4. That's on the team. I'm not going to destroy the player for not being able to physically handle the position he had never played before. He trained his ass off and he played hard.

Hood was just signed by the Dolphins a couple days ago. You can't last this long in the NFL if you are complete garbage. He has also played significant snaps in his career. He hasn't just sat on the bench or been inactive for games for his whole career. The guy is a legit NFL player....just not for the Steelers in the scheme they played at the time.

[Mojouw]

Burns needs to be in a press man scheme. He plays zone now and is too dumb for it.

They thought a combination of coaching band work by Burns could get him up to speed on playing zone at the NFL level. It hasn't yet.

[LambertsLunatic58]

Sorry, but I think it's time to move on and let him find his life's work. It's seems pretty obvious from that he can't cut it. He's not the next coming of Polamolu and just "needs to grasp it". Nope, he reminds me of a less talented Ike Taylor. Seems like one of the problems that really plagues this front office/organization, is admitting they made mistakes after drafting people who just aren't cutting it.

[teegre]

Burns was okay in year one, pretty good in year two, and crappy right now. He has taken his benching well, which is a good sign. I’m hoping for a breakout season in 2019... circa Ike Taylor in 2007.

[st33lersguy]

1057018546562035712

Oh come on that's a stretch. Burns is bad, but Burntwon would get burned by a 5 year-old girl. He couldn't cover an ant if he sat on it. I mean you cannot adequately describe with words how pathetic he was. I still have absolutely no idea what the hell Tomlin was running through Tomlin's head to have him keep that clown in the lineup the entire year.

[43Hitman]

Burns was okay in year one, pretty good in year two, and crappy right now. He has taken his benching well, which is a good sign. I’m hoping for a breakout season in 2019... circa Ike Taylor in 2007.The way I look at is that he is having his sophomore slump this year instead of last. We might as well hang with the guy because it's not like the Steelers are gonna give up on him anytime soon. Unless he just totally devolves into a player that can no longer play in the NFL.

[Shoes]

He's a grabber, hot head and dumber than a pile of rocks. Cortez Allen will be by to pick him up on the river barge.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Burns needs to be in a press man scheme. He plays zone now and is too dumb for it.

They thought a combination of coaching band work by Burns could get him up to speed on playing zone at the NFL level. It hasn't yet. Burns would be a penalty machine in press man. He doesn't have the technique to jam anybody, because he doesn't even like to line up square on WR's, but rather already has his hips turned in bail coverage. Also, I remember looking at his college tape where he liked to cheat off his man to try and make plays....that kind of lack of discipline wont play in the NFL. He could play man in college, but not the NFL.

We can hope that he improves, but in season 3 if he still cant develop technique, understand zone concepts and is losing WR's for big plays, its not likely he is going to develop into anything more than a guy that should be a slot or dime CB in sub packages.

[Mojouw]

Burns would be a penalty machine in press man. He doesn't have the technique to jam anybody, because he doesn't even like to line up square on WR's, but rather already has his hips turned in bail coverage. Also, I remember looking at his college tape where he liked to cheat off his man to try and make plays....that kind of lack of discipline wont play in the NFL. He could play man in college, but not the NFL.

We can hope that he improves, but in season 3 if he still cant develop technique, understand zone concepts and is losing WR's for big plays, its not likely he is going to develop into anything more than a guy that should be a slot or dime CB in sub packages.
oh, I didn’t think he would be good at it. Just pointing out that he’s too dumb to play zone.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

oh, I didn’t think he would be good at it. Just pointing out that he’s too dumb to play zone.

Yeah, bad combo. Too dumb to play zone and too sloppy of technique to play man. Oh well I guess....:cfl:

[FrancoLambert]

Did he get any snaps against the Ravens?
Didn’t hear his name called which probably means he didn’t play.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

D plays better without him!

[GoSlash27]

D plays better without him!

I think this is one of those rare instances where we all agree. Sensabaugh acquitted himself well enough to be the starting LCB.
Perhaps Burns will be worth fielding if he ever learns how to play.

[lipps83]

I thought Burns played alright his rookie year, but never seemed to really improve.

Too bad.

[Edman]

At this point, its time to pull the plug on Artie Burns. Nice project that never panned out. When journeyman Coty Sensabaugh is more reliable than you, you need to sit.

Cortez Allen 2.0. A talented player but doesn't have his head in it.