[Merged 3x] Dolphins sign LB Kevin Burnett to 4-year deal

This defense should be absolutely scary this year as long as they stay healthy. Our DL and LB corps are top notch. Burnett adds that 3rd pass rusher we've been looking for. Our young safeties have another year under their belts. Will Allen if healthy could give our nickel coverage a nice kick in the ***.

 

Good signing.

 

I'm excited about our D this year, I think we have a top 5 squad.

 

You nailed it! Our defense got a lot better tonight, dumping Crowder and signing Burnett. Ireland takes a beating on a lot of web sites and IMHO by the media, but when you break it down, he has done a very good job!

 

I'm not sure that is enough anymore Mr C, "fans" want names.

And I do agree and think Sparano is our best coach in a decade, suspect Alen would disagree with that notion, but what I base that on:

-player development, how many "nobodies" came here and have been developed?
-we no longer beat ourselves with dummy plays, that is not to say everything goes perfectly, however the offsides on the defense, or offense, that keep opponents drives alive are a thing of the past.

Sadly, he has the same downside as Shula had...overly loyal to subordinates..

 

Until they get whacked. It's an Italian thing ;p

 

1. Irish has given the fans, some names...Marshall, Dansby, Bush, et al.

2. Do you mean Irish or Tony being overly loyal? I sure don't see anything from the former to indicate this.

 

I love this move! I have patiently waited for them to replace Crowder for a long time, and was upset that a quality ILB was taken high in the draft but looking back I understand why it was played the way they played it. Crowder was too expensive, and too injury prone. This move tells me that Ireland is paying attention, God is in his heaven, and our defense will be a step or two faster this year with less injuries and question marks. You have gotta give the FO a big thumbs up here. They are showing some major balls and I like it!

 

I was more Numtar dance of joy happy:

 

4 years, $21 million. $10 million guaranteed.

This is a guy they know and drafted in Dallas. He was mostly a nickel LB for the Cowboys as I recall. So right there you know that he doesn't have to come off the field on third downs.

Last year he finally became a starter and put up some good numbers. 95 tackles, 6.0 sacks, 5 PD's, 2 INTs (1 TD), 2 FF's. That's an impressive line for a 3-4 inside linebacker.

Last year we drafted A.J. Edds with the intention that he step right in as a nickel 'backer thanks to his exceptional coverage skills. 12 months later, we have two athletic veterans (Dansby, Burnett) that excel in pass coverage. Assuming the kid can make it back and earn some run, perhaps we see some more of those exotic fronts from Nolan with those three guys on the field, as both Dansby and Burnett pretty decent rushers.

At any rate, this is an excellent acquisition by Jeff Ireland. We seriously upgraded a spot we've long wanted to.....in a matter of a couple hours.

My question is, Dansby and Burnett (and Edds for that matter) tend to play the same position, no? Does Dansby move to the Mike as the bigger man? That's one area that 'could' fall off a tad; run support.

 

Good for you Albert!!! I just noticed I went over 20k. Didn't see it when it happened though. Closing in on Alen and Padre. Ahhh, I'll probably be dead before I can catch those boys post count.

 

Yep, he was one of the all-time greats for the Dolphins. He will be in the ring on honor very soon.

 

If I start a thread, will it be merged for [Merged 4x]?

 

I don't know much on Burnett. Any info guys? I hear that he is solid in pass coverage and I see a lot of fans saying he is an upgrade, but idk if they are just saying that out of spite of Crowder.

I mean he's getting a decent sized contract, so I'm assuming he is more than just an average LB.

 

You can't retire everyone's number.

 

San Diego radio spoke about him quite a bit the past season. He is supposed to be a quality leader and hard worker. Not an elite player but very solid person and player.

 

IMO, Burnett is a poor man's Karlos Dansby. Good all around skills, can be a 3 down LB for us, like Dansby. Last but not least, look at the interview video that bpk posted of him. He is a high character, high quality person. I'd say he'll be a good locker room presence as well.

 

Can he stack-and-shed is my only question. Otherwise it's a great addition for a league that requires coverage ILBs. His pass rushing from the inside is a major addition.

 

[video=youtube;SNxCvDYpmxE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNxCvDYpmxE[/video]

Huh? This is a good move too? Carry on.

 

All i know is that burnetts numbers from last year suggest that is an above average player. Not quite a pro bowler but a solid improvement over crowder.

 

man just arrived at work 7.20 a.m. after havin a late shift last night till 11 p.m. didnt caught any sleep really because my team were players again last night, so let the guys go to sleep get some energy and be ready when i come home from work for another run...get some sleep jeff !!!

 

This exactly. I am somewhat wary of his run defense, mostly because I don't much about him. He definitely looks to be an upgrade over Crowder in terms of pass D (something we could use since we get torched by every TE out there). If he is weak against the run though, I don't know how well he will fit as a 3 down guy.

If he can be solid behind our high quality DL's then this could be a very good pickup.

 

Finally a move I can get behind. I liked Crowder but I could see he was at best an average MLB. His absense was notable on run defense. But he was also exposed a lot in the passing game for his lack of awareness and athletic ability. He also wasn't a threat as a passrusher either. Clearly he was replaceable as soon as they came across a LB slightly or greatly more talentend then he. Burnett is a solid MLB who gives you effort on all three phases of defense(rush, pass and QB pressure). No longer will we be one dimensional at MLB. Dansby is fine in his role, we needed a better banger next to him. I think our LB unit will be solid.

Now if only we can figure out what were gonna do at QB and everything else on offense.

 

Nice upgrade if this man is healthy. I was never a fan of Crowder and his big mouth.

But if this is the "BIG" FA signing for Ireland, he has failed this organization. We needed to get better on offense a lot more than D and to once again, make defense the top priority in this FA shows that Ireland may just not get it.

FA is not over yet, but many of the best players have already found new homes, and they didn't come to Miami. So far its still looking like Rosenhaus was right.

 

We need playmakers not good citizens.

 

lol Like who? Which of the best players on offense found new homes?

 

I think you might be going a tad over the deep end a bit right now my man. We're exactly one day into free agency. There are tons of guys still on the market. Let's judge the man on when he's finished.

Defensively, we were a very good unit last year and we re-signed two of our own to remain that way. We had an opportunity to upgrade a longtime sore spot at linebacker and we did it. How many more games would we have won if we could have simply forced -- or HELD ONTO -- one or two turnovers? We made a move to improve that on Friday.

Dominant units win in the NFL and if you believe Matt Williamson, our defense has the looks of possible dominance in 2012. "Better than Baltimore" he said today.

That said, we basically went all offense in the draft. This week we've pursued a new starting quarterback, the top two running backs and acquired speed at tailback in Bush. Those are the moves we know about. But I'd say that's getting after it.

So I couldn't agree that Ireland has made defense a "top priority" right now. I feel he's clearly made improving the entire team a priority. It's not just the offense that can be improved.

 

QB wise everyone except Orton. There is other talent at the other offensive spots to be found though if our FO feels the need to make moves.

Most of the leagues big signings so far have been on D.

 

Look at Burnett's 2010 numbers.

You want a guy that makes plays? He made them.

95 tackles, 6.0 sacks, 5 PD's, 2 INT's (1 TD), 2 FF's. As a 3-4 inside linebacker.

http://www.nfl.com/player/kevinburnett/2506381/profile

 

None of the QBs besides Orton are worth a damn, imo. Kolb might be, but if people really wanted to pay that price then

 

Did I say the best players were on offense ? Reread my post. I said the best players only. But still where is the upgrade on offense ? Reggie Bush ? Really ??? That's to be our savior ?

So far, not very impressive, and IMO we fell farther behind the Jets & Patriots so far this off-season. 7 wins may be asking too much this year, unless Ireland can make some miracles happen over the next few days.

 

Jake, you don't like reggie Bush combined with our rookie?..

 

damn good numbers for a 34 insidebacker..no wonder they believed he should of gotten paid.

 

lol Well you just *****ed about how we need to focus more on the offense soooo?

Where's the great options out there?

You mad we didn't get Nnamdi? lol

 

All the Jets have done is re-sign Holmes, have Asomugha spurn them for less money elsewhere, lose Brad Smith waiting for Nnamdi and right now have a gaping hole opposite Revis. And they still need to fill Braylon's spot.

I don't know that we've fallen further behind the Jets right now when we've improved (IMHO) and they've lost players.

 

Pursued means he failed to get them. Ireland needed to go all in, and figure out this past offseason who he could sign. This is a results league, and so far, and yes I say SO FAR (its not over yet) Ireland has not shown us he understands that offense is where we needed the biggest upgrade.

Drafting and expecting rookies to make an impact is asking a lot, and especially this year without an offseason of OTA's and mini-camps. Aquiring a RB who would not restructure in NOLA to help his team, shows me that Bush is not always a team player. Still has a bit of the So Cal Trojan diva in him. Color me not impressed with this pickup. And Sparano either is delusional, or joking when he calls Bush a feature back. The man is a 3rd down guy and ST guy, and did not Sparano say in the presser, that Bush will not be used in special teams ? When you have one of the worst special teams in the league, and you won't use a guy who can shine there ? Something of a disconnect there from Sparano.

I'm still very scared about this season. But FA is not over yet. Always have hope that Ireland will have a good day tomorrow.

 

As a possible long term guy I might have looked into Vince. Talented but enigmatic - I think he can turn it around, I don't know if Sparano and Miami would be the right team to get him on his feet and get him at his full potential. I can see him going crazy (football wise) mid/late season with Vick out for a few weeks.

Orton I think is the kind of guy who you always expect to take the leap to elite but never quite makes it. You can do much worse and he gives you some victories you may not have gotten with less, but you can do way better.

McNabb and Hasselbeck I think would have been good 1-2 year options.

But yeah, nothing to inspiring out there, as is usually the case. Teams just don't let elite QBs move for the most part. We will likely sink or swim with Henne, and with Tony knowing its win or be given walking papers. At this point I am pretty much fine with it and interested to see the kind of seasons Luck, Barkley and Jones have in the NCAA.

Will be interesting to see if we make any more offensive changes.

 

It's not Madden though. You can't make guys take less money to play for you. Deangelo and Bradshaw got what, $8 million per? Should Ireland have paid that for a RB?

Who else is/was out there at QB? Are you ok with giving Orton $8 million per? Personally I'm not convinced that deal is dead yet. Next Thursday Denver may have to make a decision.

Bush is not supposed to be a savior. Sparano was clearly paying lip service. He's not going to degrade a player publicly, much less one he just traded for. But earlier he said Bush has to be used a certain way. That pretty much assures us he ain't carrying the water. That was never going to happen even in an injury situation. They ain't done at that position yet. It won't be a flashy signing and it doesn't need to be IMO. Just a veteran.

As far as special teams, I didn't catch that part if he said it.

 

Who said Burnett wasn't a playmaker? He made more impact plays last season than Crowder has in his entire career. There is nothing wrong with his being a good citizen on top of that.