LB Burnett agrees to two-year deal

[joelbolt]

LB Burnett agrees to two-year deal
Linebacker Kevin Burnett, who spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, agreed to terms on Tuesday to a two-year contract with the Chargers. More... (http://www.chargers.com/news/headlines/lb-burnett-agrees.htm)

[BanTx]

great news

[Ironpump]

I bet some guys are rejoicing now.

[DutchCheddar]

Burnett tallied 38 tackles and two sacks in 2008

AWESOME!

/sarcasm

[hambone]

AWESOME!

/sarcasm

he's gonna add depth where we need it.

[BanTx]

AWESOME!

/sarcasm


You do know he didnt start right? You would want Matt Wilhelm over Burnett

AWESOME!

/sarcasm

[Gobolts1]

AJ continues to sign retreads. Get us a real ILB.

[hawki019]

This is a plus to what has been a negative offseason..

[808BOLTFAN]

Well, we finally had some action in the FA market..lol.. I still hope we get a crack at Rey Maualuga. He can start right off the back. Burnett won't be a starter for us. Atleast we depth in ILB if Cooper can't go. Burnett will start over Wilhelm.

[SuperBowlBolts]

You do know he didnt start right? You would want Matt Wilhelm over Burnett

AWESOME!

/sarcasm

You do know he had some pretty good LBs starting infront of him right? You would want Burnett starting over Wilhelm. Even with the solid group of LBs ahead of him in Dallas Burnett showed he was their best cover LB and that is exactly we need here in SD, a good cover LB to start opposite of Cooper.

[SuperBowlBolts]

Well, we finally had some action in the FA market..lol.. I still hope we get a crack at Rey Maualuga. He can start right off the back. Burnett won't be a starter for us. Atleast we depth in ILB if Cooper can't go. Burnett will start over Wilhelm.

Wait what? Unless we draft Maualuga or some other LB in the 1st round I am lost here.

[crimsoncolonel]

Well, we finally had some action in the FA market..lol.. I still hope we get a crack at Rey Maualuga. He can start right off the back. Burnett won't be a starter for us. Atleast we depth in ILB if Cooper can't go. Burnett will start over Wilhelm.

He better play ahead of Wilhelm on passing downs. If not, why sign him? I hope this results in Wilhelm being released.
As for running downs, Barnett's not a difference maker.
He is also injury prone.
We fans were desparate to sign somebody. This is a start.
We want and need more.

[MetalMydin]

I think this is A.J. being himself...he doesn't want to spend money on ILB because he thinks we have enough depth there and he just wants to find someone who can be a good (not great) player that will start oppostie Cooper...he's saving the bigger money for a saftey...and to see if L.T. calls it off or not.

[Merrimanjersey]

Argh, we just downgraded. A high upside guy like Waters for a below average player like Burnett. I hope AJ's returns to form in late April, this was a bad move IMO.

[Oldschoolbolts]

Good i think he will help us right away. I think were better at linebacker then most think. I am more worryed about safty then anything else mark my words brandon siler will be a monster one day. He is young not a starter yet but who knows he could be this year
It’s not unusual to see a late-round NFL draft pick find a way to contribute on special teams, but as a rookie, Brandon Siler did much more than that. He excelled in the kicking game. After making the squad as a seventh-round pick in the 2007 draft, Siler led the Chargers with 21 special teams tackles, seven more than the team’s second-leading special teams tackler. For his efforts, the former Florida Gator earned All-Rookie honors from Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers of America. Siler saw more action on defense as the season moved on and could see his role increase in 2008.

The unquestioned highlight of Siler’s rookie year came in a Week 5 win at Denver. After the Chargers took a 7-0 lead on their opening drive, teammate Carlos Polk knocked the ball loose on the ensuing kickoff. Siler scooped up the loose ball and raced 23 yards for his first career NFL TD that gave the Bolts a 14-0 advantage right out of the shoot.

A three-time All-Southeastern Conference selection at Florida, the Chargers may have made the steal of the 2007 NFL Draft with their selection of Siler in the seventh round. A member of the Gators’ 2007 BCS national championship team, Siler elected to leave school early and make himself available for the NFL Draft following his junior season. An academic honoree as well for his work in the classroom, Siler studied criminology in Gainesville.

To get himself ready for the draft, Siler spent several weeks training with Baltimore Ravens All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis. And when draft day rolled around and Brandon slipped to the seventh round, it was Lewis who called him during the draft to offer words of encouragement. Lewis is a native of Lakeland, Florida who attended the University of Miami, while Siler is from Orlando, less than an hour drive from Lakeland. He and Lewis have maintained a close friendship.

[JD4Bolts]

Argh, we just downgraded. A high upside guy like Waters for a below average player like Burnett. I hope AJ's returns to form in late April, this was a bad move IMO.

exactly.... I dont care who started ahead of this guy in Dallas, we could have done much better. hopefully we can get some more explosive guys.

[Johnson]

Awesome. We actually DO sign Free Agents! Word up!!! Now, for the announcement of the reason why........ somebody screwed up and is going to sit out the first four games of the season right???? Oh my bad, that was last year.. This is so we can finally cut Wilhelm!!! Even better!

[Boltheads]

AJ continues to sign retreads. Get us a real ILB. Who? Tell me who was on you list of ILB at the start of FA....who? Ray Lewis? Please.

[Steve-O-Bolt]

It's a start. I think this guy will be waaaaay better than Wilma. I also believe that if Maualuga is sitting there at #16 we snatch him up anyway. I would have loved to have grabbed Phillips at SS, but this guy should add appropriate ILB depth. Come on Charger fans, we all know A.J. will never go after tier one free agents. This is a solid pick up.

[BanTx]

You do know he had some pretty good LBs starting infront of him right? You would want Burnett starting over Wilhelm. Even with the solid group of LBs ahead of him in Dallas Burnett showed he was their best cover LB and that is exactly we need here in SD, a good cover LB to start opposite of Cooper.

I was replying to a different guy, Im happy we got him. He never had the chance to start because of injuries hopefully he can keep it together and blossom here in SD

[estradvs]

Burnett will start over Wilhelm. he's 25,000x better than Wilhelm in coverage,and Cooper has always been good in run support so as long as Burnett plays solid he'll start 4 us. unless we draft someone else 2 start.

[SuperMatt]

AJ continues to sign retreads. Get us a real ILB.

Retreads? Like Ray Lewis that everyone was screaming to bring in? Like Brian Dawkins? Like Lamont Jordan?

Burnett can hardly qualify as a retread. He's not a griseled old, worn-down, too many miles veteran who's looking for one last payday. He's young, has upside and fresh legs.

He seems like a guy who didn't have the chance to start, but showed flashes in the time he did play. Steve Foley was in a similar situation with Cincy before he came to a new system with a fresh start in SD and played really well.

[ReggieF]

Awesome, I like this move, now can we please get Seau back now? How about Harrison while we're at it?

[TurnerThaBurner]

Well at least no one can whine now about us not doing anything in free agency. :)



Welcome to the Bolts, Mr. Burnett! :Beer: :Bolt:

[TurnerThaBurner]

I bet some guys are rejoicing now.


I don't think Wilhelm is... :LightsOut:

[TurnerThaBurner]

Awesome, I like this move, now can we please get Seau back now? How about Harrison while we're at it?


Great idea! Then we can also bring back Dennis Gibson, Leslie O'Neal & Gary Washington and have ourselves another "graduation" ceremony for a bunch of Charger old-timers! :rolleyes:

[LVSupercharged]

Awesome, I like this move, now can we please get Seau back now? How about Harrison while we're at it?

Really? You meant to type in green or something, right?

[ReggieF]

Really? You meant to type in green or something, right?

No, I'm serious, why? I'm also glad he's got a #57 jersey, isn't that the point of all this?

[Ironpump]

Well, we finally had some action in the FA market..lol.. I still hope we get a crack at Rey Maualuga. He can start right off the back. Burnett won't be a starter for us. Atleast we depth in ILB if Cooper can't go. Burnett will start over Wilhelm.
You mean he can start right off the bat? Maualuga is a two down LB and I don't think the Chargers have even expressed the slightest interest in him.

[Xenos]

Argh, we just downgraded. A high upside guy like Waters for a below average player like Burnett. I hope AJ's returns to form in late April, this was a bad move IMO.
Can Waters cover the middle of the field? Because that's what was killing us last year. Burnett apparently can help us in that area which was our greatest weakness and it came at a cheap price.

[Ironpump]

Retreads? Like Ray Lewis that everyone was screaming to bring in? Like Brian Dawkins? Like Lamont Jordan?

Burnett can hardly qualify as a retread. He's not a griseled old, worn-down, too many miles veteran who's looking for one last payday. He's young, has upside and fresh legs.

He seems like a guy who didn't have the chance to start, but showed flashes in the time he did play. Steve Foley was in a similar situation with Cincy before he came to a new system with a fresh start in SD and played really well.

I wouldn't say he has fresh legs with his injury history.

[raiderhaiter619]

Awesome, I like this move, now can we please get Seau back now? How about Harrison while we're at it?



well while your at it bring back John Carney as well,lol!!!

[Ahmadi]

does anyone know how much Burnett is getting paid?
also LT??

[Ironpump]

does anyone know how much Burnett is getting paid?
also LT??
1 Trillion dollars lmao

[ThunderBOLT85]

Burnett over Wilhelm. Definitely want Maualuga

[surfer1012]

ok u havent let kevin burnett start the damn season yet and ur already startin to grill the guy he has talent and potential but its up to him if hell excel. suggestion if u wanna grill a player do it after the season is over eehhhhh

[2vang]

had two tackles in his two starting games against sf and sea. last season.....but played well in special teams. maybe aj is trying to build up our special teams? yall gotta admit it hasnt been all that great last year for special teams.

[charger1_sj]

Burnett signed a 2 year deal worth $5.5M. Four of it is guaranteed.

LT salary for 2009 has been partly turned into a signing bonus making it easier on the cap. LT will take home the same amount as he would have without the new contract for 2009. However 2010, 2011 are incentive driven and everything can change.

[stevge88]

Will Kevin Burnett get a press conference at all?

[SuperBowlBolts]

Will Kevin Burnett get a press conference at all?

Yes, at 11 today to be exact.

[riceda510]

had two tackles in his two starting games against sf and sea. last season.....but played well in special teams. maybe aj is trying to build up our special teams? yall gotta admit it hasnt been all that great last year for special teams.

Don't forget he also put up 2 sacks, 1 FF and 3 PDef. While not starting.

Not bad for a "special-teamer" we added.

I like this signing. He's an ILB that has experience in a very similar defense and definitely has potential, while also not being a huge cap hit. Props to AJ. Depending how we go in the draft, and even if he doesn't start, still a great addition for depth.

[Foresight]

Don't forget he also put up 2 sacks, 1 FF and 3 PDef. While not starting.

Not bad for a "special-teamer" we added.

I like this signing. He's an ILB that has experience in a very similar defense and definitely has potential, while also not being a huge cap hit. Props to AJ. Depending how we go in the draft, and even if he doesn't start, still a great addition for depth.


Like Burnett said, "It's what you do on the field."

I don't think he is the answer, but you never know until you see him play. He is most likely a temporary fix until a permanent guy can be found.

[riceda510]

Yeah, I'm not claiming he's the answer to our defensive woes-- just saying I feel good about the signing. The guy has potential, that can't be denied.

But you're right. We'll see on the field.

[Foresight]

Yeah, I'm not claiming he's the answer to our defensive woes-- just saying I feel good about the signing. The guy has potential, that can't be denied.

But you're right. We'll see on the field.

He does have potential. He's really more of a coverage linebacker. That's a good thing since we really don't have a good coverage guy. If He can play like Donnie Edwards did, he will be a welcome addition.

He's actually got a lot in common with Donnie. He's 6'3" and 227lbs. That's light for a LB, but if he can cover a tight end, he's going to be very welcome on this team.

[LightsOut4ever]

Even better than Donnie in the sense that Donnie was a zone-flat type cover guy (sit and read the QB), while Burnett can actually run w/guys.

[SuperMatt]

He's actually got a lot in common with Donnie. He's 6'3" and 227lbs. That's light for a LB, but if he can cover a tight end, he's going to be very welcome on this team.

Chargers roster has him at 6' 3" and 242 lbs. That's actually good size for an ILB, and while we're not counting on him to be our "Thumper" in the middle, it'll be nice if he can occasionally knock a guy backwards...-coughWilhelm,Donniecough-

[LightsOut4ever]

Chargers roster has him at 6' 3" and 242 lbs. That's actually good size for an ILB, and while we're not counting on him to be our "Thumper" in the middle, it'll be nice if he can occasionally knock a guy backwards...-coughWilhelm,Donniecough-

a lot of people here don't believe that's his actual weight as DAL's site still has/had him at 227 and ~1/2 of football sites (ESPN, NFL, Yahoo, etc) have him at 227 still. I don't care either way, but I could see it being an agent putting out bigger #s to make him look more like starter material and not just a 3rd down cover guy.

[Foresight]

Chargers roster has him at 6' 3" and 242 lbs. That's actually good size for an ILB, and while we're not counting on him to be our "Thumper" in the middle, it'll be nice if he can occasionally knock a guy backwards...-coughWilhelm,Donniecough-

I have seen both. Maybe 227 was his rookie season, and he has put on 13 lbs since then. I'm not really sure.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/7218/index.html

http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/players/Kevin_Burnett/1448

I'm not sure what he actually weighs. He does not look like he weighs 242. He is definitely more of a cover linebacker.

[matt3706]

I don't have enough posts for a new thread but saw this link on ESPN on our salary cap update. Looks like we're about $11 mil under the cap right now...

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest/0-3-1764/AFC-West-salary-cap-update.html

[darrensproles]

http://www.chargers.com/fan_zone/media_vault/

[JtBoY20]

I think Burnett will provide depth at the ILB position splitting time with Wilhelm. Wilhelm can't be a coverage LB and thats what we need hopefully Burnett will provide that.

[Arkansas Ron]

I believe this could be a really good pickup. He was at one time a 2nd round pick and so far hasn't really panned out due to injuries and talent already in place. He'll have a really good opportunity is SD where we know the talent at his position is not real good. One thing I have not seen mentioned is the fact that our DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR IS RON RIVERA. If someone can bring out his unrealized potential, it is Rivera. I'm not saying he will be a Pro Bowler next year, but it would'nt surprise me if this turns out to be a better pickup than expected due to having some great mentors in San Diego.

[boltguy87]

I think Burnett will provide depth at the ILB position splitting time with Wilhelm. Wilhelm can't be a coverage LB and thats what we need hopefully Burnett will provide that.

I don't know about this statement. Just about the only thing that Wilhelm is even decent at is coverage so I can't imagine that we will be splitting time with 2 guys that both lean toward coverage and aren't all that great against the run. Wilhelm is a major detriment to our defense because of his inability to make a tackle. I haven't seen enough of Burnett to fairly judge him but if he is worse than Wilhelm in the run game than we made a huge mistake. I think he will do a better job though because honestly a lot of guys can do better than wilhelm which is why he lost his starting spot to dobbins. If anything dobbins or siler splits time with burnett. I'm all for saying goodbye to wilhelm. He's a very capable backup but unlike before we have other guys on our roster now that are just as good of a backup