From the Hart: Missing Burgess reportedly considering retirement
Written by Andy Hart on July 29, 2010 – 3:22 pm -According to a report on ESPN.com, citing NFL sources, the reason for Derrick Burgess’ absence from the start of training camp is that the 10th-year veteran is considering retirement.
The report states that Burgess has not reported to Foxborough and “as recently as Wednesday, Burgess told associates that he was leaning toward retirement.”
In the wake of Wednesday’s release of Shawn Crable, Burgess’ potential retirement would leave an even larger hole on the outside linebacker depth chart in New England.
Though Burgess had just five sacks last season after joining the team via a summer trade from the Raiders, the veteran did see substantial playing time. Regardless of whether he lived up to expectations as a former Pro Bowl pass rusher, he was a known commodity at a position filled with mostly unknowns at this point. Aside from returning starter and 10-sack man Tully Banta-Cain, the rest of the depth chart includes Pierre Woods, Rob Ninkovich, rookie Jermaine Cunningham and first-year Pat Marques Murrell.
Burgess seemed to draw little interest this offseason in free agency and eventually re-signed with New England on a one-year deal. Now, it seems, the 31-year-old may decide to walk away from the game rather than return to the Patriots.
If Burgess does retire, what do you think about the depth at linebacker? Who will start? Is it now a necessity that the team go out and get added talent at the position through either free agency or a trade? Let us know with a comment below!
Posted in Training Camp (2010) |
July 29th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
the tackling dummy
July 29th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Take the phone, call steelers and get Lamar woodley, maybe even hand over one of the next year draft picks.
July 29th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
I’d wait until there’s some independent confirmation of Burgess expressing specific retirement sentiments. HOWEVER, if that’s the way he actually feels, considering how difficult it seemed to be for him last season, I have to wonder how much he’d be able to contribute if he does show up with that on his mind.
If Burgess is out of the picture, we have to hope that Ninkovich makes a significant leap and/or Cunningham gets up to speed with unusual alacrity for a rookie (both of which we’re pretty much hoping for anyway). Marques Murrell and Pierre Woods certainly don’t seem to be the answer.
FA acquisition options seem limited at this point. Maybe Greg Ellis. Maybe recently released Alex Hall (6′5″/250#) from Cleveland via the Eagles.
Not sure what the trade options would be right now - possibly very slim for guys who fit the scheme - and the price for anyone decent would be pretty steep.
July 29th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
It would be a surprise if this were true, especially with the cutting of Crable. If we’re without Burgess, Crable and Thomas from last season’s squad then we look very thin on the ground opposite TBC - it’s a choice of Nincovitch or Cunningham. Cunningham had better be everything he’s rumoured to be, or the pass rush, and consequently the secondary, will be a disaster for a second straight season.
July 29th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Maybe Seau will play some OLB!
July 29th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Mankins for ??? Because, where else are their options? Woodley?
July 29th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
sign greg ellis. convince him to play in a 3-4 lol
are there any other free agents at the position that you think would fit? only ellis comes to mind
July 29th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Wait, i found the answer, its not Seau its Derrick Brooks
=)
July 29th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
at this point making a move on Merriman would really make a lot of sense.
i know about the perceived character issues (nothing BB can’t fix, imo) and his rather poor season last year, coming off his surgery, but the man, even at 50%, would still be a whole lot better than anybody else on our roster.
July 29th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
I think we’d resign crable, but his ego would obviously be bruised.
July 29th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
This is stupid…maybe he should have thought about retirement before he signed.
July 29th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
What about the rumor that a possible trade of Mankins to the Steelers for LaMarr Woodly? If not, are there any good free agents available?
July 29th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
This is a really bad situation,Burgess was slated to start opposite TBC to give Cunningham time to learn the position! This news coming a day after cutting OLB Shawn Crable hurts even more! Crable was on the PUP list,but,how bad is THIS injury? Is it a season ending injury or not?
At this point it we need to make a trade,all the top OLB’s are gone,the Bills Aaron Schobel might be around but he’s an injury prone player!
We could use Gary Guyton as a OLB,but he’s more suited as ILB. OLB’s are pass rushers,also they cover when needed,is former OLB from the Cowboys Greg Ellis still available?
We could just go with Woods and Cunningham,kinda learn on the go? That’s most likely what BB will do.At this point for him its too late to go grab new players,what we have is what we’re gonna play with!
Burgess could’ve let us know,Especially now that we cut Crable! The Hell with Derrick Burgess! BUM!
July 29th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Look, lets not lie to ourselves.This years team will be alot like last years team minus Welker for awhile plus some new faces.Give it 2 years to continue to rebuild and then it gets interesting.
July 29th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Cunningam may be a starter after all
July 29th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
This is quite depressing, with all due respect to TBC and rob ninkovich..unless rob is mike vrabel circa 03-07 and TBC is a 10 sack a year guy for sure then we r in really big trouble at OLB…
My question and worry is that how did BB and company not see this coming from Burgess..he had to have communicated this to the team in some manner…am I wrong Andy?
July 29th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
I volunteer to take him and Crable out of town on my flight. We’re only delayed for 3 hours
July 29th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Well lets see. Pierre Woods is nothing more than a 3rd string linebacker, Murell is a special teamer and Cunningham has zero experience at the position. That leaves Ninkovich who is a capable back up but, I wouldn’t want him playing every down. The team needs to fill the position but in reality I don’t think there is anyone really worth while out there unless a miracle trade happens.
And, we thought the sack total was down last year!
July 29th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Really… another departure on an already ailing defense. Granted, his stats weren’t outstanding, but at least he’s a vet with good experience in the system. We need to restock with a couple solid players… and I mean now!
July 29th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
the pats need to pick trade for a outside linebacker
July 29th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
i hate derrick burgess , he stinks and cannot play , and the patriots are going to miss him very much . i’m just saying , somehow was our biggest weakness last year and bb decided not to address it except for a rookie . they almost have to trade for a warm body don’t they ????
July 29th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
lets’s stick with the youth and develop our future. wins equal confidence equals wins.
July 29th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Well on the other side of TBC will prob. be a mix of Guyton and Cunningham. They are way better then woods, and rob. Guyton is a solid 2nd sting linebacker so with the role of Spikes, he should line up next to Mayo. So a mixture of Guyton and cunningham is what we should except from the other side. I say let Burgress retire he never lived up to his role. Cut the ties now and give a fresh guy in that spot a chance to grow.
July 29th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Unfortunately, it seems like a legitimate possibility that the Patriots will now try to add a veteran via a trade or something. I say “unfortunately” because I had faith in Burgess, even though he was underwhelming.
As for who we have now, I guess TBC and Ninkovich will start on the outside. I like Ninkovich, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like Burgess could have made more of an impact.
July 29th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
hey patriots fans dont get sad after we win the superbowl we”ll do the parade in new england how about that.
July 29th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Burgess seemed to be barely more than a backup last year, so I had no hopes for him this year. I am hoping that Mayo is AT LEAST back to his rookie self, that Tully repeats last year’s effort, that Spikes and Cunningham play like the high draft picks that they are, that Guyton over achieves and that Ninkovich justifies all of the Vrable comparisons.
That’s a lot of hopes to hang a hat on, but hey… the upside is the team is younger! Right?! Many of us have been on the GET YOUNGER train for like 4 or 5 years now. So YAY?!
July 29th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
I wonder who is still available at Middle Linebacker? Who dod we think we might be able to get in a trade for whom?
July 29th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Frightening prospect… I suppose Rob Ninkovich until/unless Belichick thinks Cunningham understands the offense enough to start. I’m certainly not the biggest fan of Burgess, but we kinda need him. Are there any free agents capable of playing OLB in a 3-4?
July 29th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Might have to trade for a veteran or move Brandon Spikes to the outside if he doesn’t start on the inside. What a shame.
July 29th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Mankins will have to be part of some type of package to acquire a olb. I’d be all for merriman (thought we shouldve pulled the trigger last year), Ellis was effective in the 3-4 in Dallas of course he was younger. Would the steelers really offer Woodley for Mankins? Seems a match with their O line issues, WTF Crable!
July 29th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Guys.. Guys.. Have a little faith in management. Do you think that I’d this “rumor” is true that Bill and Co. Is investigating all the possibilities? Also how many veterans contemplate retirement at the on set of training camp? I think Burgess will stay. It’s the first day of camp. Let’s see if he’s on the field the rest of the week.
July 29th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
no please no !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not this come on no !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! noooooooooooooooooooooo
July 29th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Ellis, if he’s healthy, is probably the best FA prospect for a veteran presence, depth and as a situational player. Alex Hall (6′5″/250#), who went from Cleveland to Philly in the Gocong/Brown trade was recently cut by the overstocked Eagles. He was a marginal reserve LOLB in Cleveland’s 3-4 in his rookie season (’08) and may only be a camp body, but has been a decent special teamer and could provide some depth.
Merriman may not fit the Pats scheme all that well, hasn’t been very good since 2007 and his asking price is a 1st and a 3rd.
Mankins for Woodley sounds like a sweet deal for the Pats, but the Steelers would probably think it’s a bad joke.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Why are we so worried? Do have have no faith in BB? Of the 24 young players from the last 2 drafts, there has to be some hidden talent in there. Let’s write off 2008 draft and assume there are some studs from the last few batches.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Nah Nah Nah Nah , Nah Nah Nah Nah
Ooh Ooh goodbye.
If you can’t strap up your helmet get off the field.
Do you know how many guys are going to be out there on the 53 man cut that want to play and can play better………………well Bill and his staff will. All people with lackluster attitudes please report to Adalius Thomas sensitivity group meeting.
July 29th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
PATS need to move on with Burgess & get a real pass rusher on that D-line. Stop being stingy BB and make a trade for a pass rusher.
July 30th, 2010 at 12:13 am
Adalius Thomas is coming back!
July 30th, 2010 at 12:21 am
Ok peeps i may be wrong but Mankins has no ! 0 ! not! nine ! nadda to the pats whatsoever……He is not on a contract with the Pats and i believe that means he has no ties to us AT ALL ! If i wrong please tell me but that the way a “contract player” and a “none contract player ” was right ? So !!That means we cant trade him (unless I’m wrong which i probably am)So if Burgess is really retiring then that sucks for us BUT ! I’m sure BB and CO will do whatever it takes to fill that hole so to speak….It will prolly be a converted rook ( I hope the gronkster will fill in myself
)But I’m sure they will find some guy to stand there and look fast
July 30th, 2010 at 1:03 am
Well this is kinda unexpected but if he does retire i would say bring in greg ellis or we call up the Cowboys and ask them what it would take to get D. Ware(even though this wont happen…i can dream cant I). I wouldnt mind LaMarr Woodley. But the thing i i wsh the most is that we would have take Clay Mathews last year when we had the chance!
July 30th, 2010 at 1:24 am
I would trade OG Logan Mankins for OLB Lamar Woodley from the Steelers in a second! Woodley would be a GREAT Pats player! He’s used to the 3-4 D,he is a better than average pass rusher,and he comes from a winning team!
This trade is all good for both sides! Though I think the Steelers will want one of our 1st round picks next season,depending on Woodley’s age,and his production,which is ample,Mankins and a 1st rounder might be worth it? Sign Woodley to a long term deal and have TBC,Cunningham and Woodley at OLB for the next 4-6 seasons,thats sounds good to me!
July 30th, 2010 at 1:33 am
On second thought, Mankins either straight up for Woodley or throw in a 2nd rounder,not a 1st! We have 2 1st round picks next season,at least 1 will be near the top 10,Raiders.We could get 2 Blue Chip players!
Another idea is look to St.Louis Rams and trade for DE/OLB George Selvie! He went in the 7th round of this seasons draft,and I doubt the Rams will keep him,so maybe it might be smart to wait and see if the Rams drop him! He’s an un-real player! He got over shadowed by Pierre Paul at USF last season because of injury,but he’s 6′5 265 pounds and can play,2 seasons ago as a junior he was graded as a 1st round pick,but he didn’t come out.We got to do something,when are we gonna find out about OLB Derrick Burgess? I wouldn’t mind keeping Burgess,he came on strong in the last 6 games last season and I think he’ll be better now with a year of this “D” under his belt.Though he is a lazy player,he takes plays off,watch the film you’ll see.
CA MON DERRICK, MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!!!
July 30th, 2010 at 1:39 am
fOLLOWING ARE NOT THE ANSEWER!
OLB Pierre Woods
OLB Rob Ninkovich
Moving ILB Gary Guyton to OLB
Bringing Seau or Colvin back
We gotta go get Greg Ellis,or another proven veteran!
Burgess needs to play,he’s only 31,he should have at least 2-3 more seasons in him? He’s good,better than anyone who’s available now!
July 30th, 2010 at 8:03 am
A 3rd and a 4th/5th for Shaun Merriman would make tons of sense right now. He’s dropped off from his early career since that ACL tear, but he’s still got something left, and it’s a decent risk-reward situation. He’s better than Burgess (and everyone else at OLB, including Banta-Cain) anyway, he’s not bad in coverage, and he knows a 3-4. And costs less than Woodley would (in picks and money).
July 30th, 2010 at 8:12 am
BB will find the way… Willie McGinest bring him back like they did with Seau. He is the locker room presence. I know he is 38 but he is like an on field coach, the young LB’s would benefit considerable with him on the field.
July 30th, 2010 at 8:24 am
He is just skipping training camp. Cut him and give Crable 1 more chance. He was a good pass rusher in collage
July 30th, 2010 at 8:44 am
This is definately a blow, but who knows? The Pats have a multitude of guys who SHOULD be able to step up and contribute on this team (at all spots, not just OLB) and they only need a few of them to actually do it.
Tate, Gronkowski, Hernandez, Butler, Chung, G. Warren, Spikes, McKenzie, D. Lewis, Brace (not holding my breath there), McCourty, Price, Cunningham, the unknowns at O-Line (Bussey, Welch, etc), Ninkovich. They have holes but they also have a TON of potential. If a FEW of these guys can make it happen, this team will be very VERY good.
Obviously, BB and co didn’t feel that the weakness was OLB. They felt the weakness was RDE (evidenced by the Ravens running at the spot all day until Wilfork went over…then running up the middle because Wilfork wasn’t there). Give them a chance to succeed or fail before you write them off.
July 30th, 2010 at 10:03 am
It’s probably fantasy to think that the Chargers would let Merriman go for a 3rd and a 4th/5th when he’s tagged with a 1st and a 3rd. And I’m not sure he’s even worth two mid-round picks to the Pats.
OTOH, the idea that Burgess is merely attempting to “pull a Favre” WRT to avoiding Camp (two-a-days) is kind of intriguing. I wouldn’t want to see the Pats cut him over that, but they could put him on “Inactive/Failed to Report” to free up another roster spot for a tryout prospect (and fine Burgess daily).
July 30th, 2010 at 10:38 am
I think its fair to say that with the departures of AD, Jarvis Green, shawn crable being cut and a mediocore at best Derrick Burgess considering retirement the Pats are in a whole lot worse shape this year at OLB than they were last year which is scary!! There OLB crew is very thin and filled with only special teams players, a rookie and a sub package rusher in TBC i feel.
I think they definately need to look at trading for lamar woodley if possible or greg ellis who is a proven veteran.
What about the likes of antwaan barnes from the ravens. I believe he plays OLB for the revans in sub-package situations and is an UFA according to espn?? Or with what someone said a few posts earlier, i really liked george selvie from USF, and wished the pats picked him up in the draft. Hopefully he gets cut or they can pick him up somehow.Reunite him with tyrone mckenzie and develop him as the next big OLB for the patriots for years to come!!
July 30th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Apparently Burgess pulled the same stunt with Oakland to avoid some training camp wear-and-tear. So maybe there’s not that much to worry about.
This also has me now thinking that the Pats may already have made some overtures to Greg Ellis (a proven successful OLB in the Dallas 3-4 through 2008), but that HE is also waiting until at least the two-a-days are over.
BTW - the Pats apparently DID put in a claim for Alex Hall, but the Giants snagged him with their higher priority claim.
July 30th, 2010 at 11:26 am
The only way they are getting Woodley is if they give up one of their firsts next year. And that’s still only a may thatbe. But I wouldn’t necessarily be against, considering that there is enough youth on this team at this point and Woodley is a proven star in the prime of his career. They have to do something. TBC cannot hold it down on his own. It didn’t sound in BB’s press conference this morning that the team was expecting this Favre-like retirement ponderance. Hopefully he gets over himself and reports to camp. It’s really ridiculous to leave the team in a lurch like this.
July 30th, 2010 at 11:33 am
Roman Phifer should come back out of retirement. I don’t think we have won super bowl without him?
Enjoy the weekend amigos.
July 30th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
I hope burgess does retire. There is to much indecision @ outside LB. TBC earned his starting spot last year. Gary Guyton is faster than Mayo had over 80 tackles last year and at 6′3″ is tall enough to play outside. So LOLB = Guyton, Mike LB =Mayo, Sam LB =Spikes, ROLB = TBC for starters. Then we still have Cunningham who could be great and ninkovich who is a very servicible “tweener” as well as Mckenzie backing up the middle. I think thats a better core than last year with A.D and Burgess. Woodley or Merriman would be great additions if they could be had but if not I still like our upside.
July 31st, 2010 at 12:27 pm
I think it time for bb to step back and say wow this is bad. We need at least 2 olb. tbc was a fluke last year 5 sacks came from playing the bills,bb has not been able to fill the void of no pass rush.he failed through draft and free ajents. Think out side the book and make some moves. use your draft pick and a player and get a elite pass rusher.