[News] Eisenberg: Ravens Could Use 90 Percent Version Of Vontaze Burfict

[BR News]

Teams everywhere would love a dominant player that can keep his poise. That player is hard to find.

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[WNC-Raven]

People love to talk about the right thing to do but in the end he won't be cut and if he was he would be picked up by some desperate team for a huge contract. If life were fair and the league's owner's actually cared about sportsmanship, players like Burflict would be cut and not picked up by anyone. Thats a fantasy world though.

[geaux_ravens]

You can't blame the man for his hatred of those Sqeelers. It's football

[RavensAllDay1987]

YES YES YES

[Whantzes]

pretty insulting article to CJ Mosley dont you think?

[Bob21043]

So,is there a player that meets Eisenberg's criteria in the draft ??

[roamingcharges]

• Okay I get that we, Ravens fans, wouldn't want Burfict after that hit on Antonio Brown.
• I get that the Ravens eventually got CJ Mosley in the first round of the 2014 draft making the issue somewhat moot.
• I get that the Ravens cooled on Burfict after he flunked the interviewing process of the draft.

 

What I just can't understand is why the "cooling" was more like "freezing" on Burfict. Why not draft him in the 7th round?!!! Some of these draft decisions are maddeningly stupid. It is the same thing I felt about La'el Collins; your 6th and 7th round picks should be those 1st round talents that are head cases of sorts. If they don't pan out you cut them-- that happens to more than 80% of late round picks eventually anyway! At best they will clean up their act (see the Honey Badger) at worst you will get a few good seasons out of them before the issues show up again (see Mr. Burfict and Pac Man Jones).

Edited January 12, 2016 by roamingcharges

[FloridalovesRavens]

Yes the league would rather give Burfict several chances on the same problem but Ray Rice could not get a second chance on something that had never happened in his life. Go figure right.

[salamander]

Burfict's 10% of bad flaws are 100% of the reason he isn't worth the trouble.

Edited January 12, 2016 by salamander

[raveninct]

I tend to disagree that the Steelers/Bengals have become the prime rivalry in the AFC North. First, I think most people were disgusted by what Burfict did in that game. And they were also disgusted by Shazier's reaction after spearing Bernard. My next door neighbor, who is a rabid Steelers fan, thought it was awful. The main reason why the Ravens/Steelers rivalry was downgraded this yr was because the Ravens essentially stunk. Even still, they swept the Steelers! How great is that?!?! That's the essence of a rivalry - even though one team may not be having a great season, they rise up to defeat their nemesis. And I think football fans, in general, prefer Ravens/Steelers to what they saw from the Bengals/Steelers. Ravens/Steelers games are always incredibly hard-hitting, but they're not crazy-brutal like Sat night's game (and in particular, Burfict's plays). I'm very glad we don't have Burfict. If I was a Bengals fan, I would be tearing my hair out over the Antonio Brown hit. And Pacman's penalty would've put me over the edge. No, give me CJ, Sizzle, Joe Cool, and SSS. I'll take them any day of the week over Burfict and Pacman.

[steelcityraven]

Burfict is like the scare crow from the Wizard of OZ (IF HE ONLY HAD A BRAIN). The kid can play ball but needs to be much smarter moving forward!

[descent into the maelstrom]

I hate seeing pictures of this guy - or any opponent - featured on the Ravens' site over and over.

[TruRavensFan52]

This is Eisenberg's worst article that I've read thus far.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Umm no. The Ravens DO NOT need "nastiness". What a foolish thing to say. The Ravens need a physically and mentally tough attitude. So called "nastiness" only brings more free chunks at 15yards a pop, usually when you least want it too. That's why the Ravens are a special team. They play like their "nasty" but don't actually cross the line, and keep it between the whistles. That is why teams do not like playing BMore ever, even this past season. Each team knows they are not getting anything for free.

[PsychoRaven52]

"pretty insulting article to CJ Mosley dont you think?" - No not really. Mosley is a great player, he's had 2 stellar seasons, probably top ten at his position for BOTH years he's been in the league. However, he's not a "nasty" player. He doesn't have that same bone crushing impact the great #52 brought to the table. That's specifically what this article is talking about. Mosley is solid - I wouldn't trade him for a Burfict, no way. But he doesn't "deliver big hits from sideline to sideline, intimidating opponents, and dominating games" anything like either Burfict does (or Ray did). Burfict brings the same intensity as Ray did.... Rayjust did it with class and respect. He never went out there to intentionally injure. He played his game clean (mostly) and earned the respect of his opponents. Burfict has earned zero respect... he's earned fear for a players safety going across the middle.

[PsychoRaven52]

Also - repeat offenders should be receiving fines a percentage of their yearly salary...increasing by 10% for every offense. 25K to a guy who made $3M last year (and stands to make another $8M over the next 2 years) is equivalent to the average joe taking his family out to dinner... Make it mean something, and he might just clean it up....

[SUGGStobeDUMED]

Eisenberg should save us all some trouble and just go work for Cinci. Eisen's near constant push to paint the Bengals as the team of the future has been SO over played in the past decade that at this point it makes him look LESS connected to the world of football rather than more. The Bengals will always be a show team that doesnt have the heart or intransigencies of the Ravens and (i hate to say it) Steelers.

 

 

 

THE BENGALS ARE NOT NEW NOR SPECIAL; STOP TRYING TO FORCE THEM ON US!

Edited January 12, 2016 by SUGGStobeDUMED

[bioLarzen]

What is this article suposed to tell us after all?

[NCMan]

John......the Ravens haven't "sighed deeply about the fact Burfict got away from them". He got away from them? The team didn't WANT him. I doubt much "sighing" was done.

[NCMan]

What is this article suposed to tell us after all?

Let us all know if and when you find out, Walter.

[trevorsteadman]

We just need a guy who can consistently get plays. Suggs is that guy that could get it done and get to the quarterback and also set his edge. His loss was huge. Upshaw is not an every down linebacker unfortunately, he is one of the best in run defense, but he has not shown his pass rush ability and Za'Darius took most his snaps in the pass rush department. Dumervil is not an every down linebacker, he is one of the best at getting to the quarterback but he will get ran over every play. We need someone who can make those big plays when needed. Ed Reed comes to mind with turnovers, even when he was 30 he was still a threat to quarterbacks. We have a bunch of good players, but we have very few play makers... And Carolina this year showed that their defense isn't great and gives up a bunch of yards, but what they are good at is getting turnovers and that is important to give our offense more chances to score.

[NCMan]

Also - repeat offenders should be receiving fines a percentage of their yearly salary...increasing by 10% for every offense. 25K to a guy who made $3M last year (and stands to make another $8M over the next 2 years) is equivalent to the average joe taking his family out to dinner... Make it mean something, and he might just clean it up....

I agree. In addition, it might be time to start taking a serious look at ejecting players from games (way more often). I know the league doesn't want to do that, as it could remove game-deciding players from games and fans want to see the stars playing. Plus, it leaves a lot of judgement up to game officials when to actually eject someone. For now, all that ever happens is suspensions/fines. Something else needs to be done, as some fans feel the zebras let games get out of hand w/the fights, etc. I have a feeling it will be a topic of discussion at the Owners Meeting. 

Edited January 12, 2016 by NCMan

[cushrinada1986]

It shows at the time how smart the FO was for not picking him up and having to deal with that headache down the road.

[Drew P]

He should be banned from the league for life

[BBoogieMan]

Huh? We could use 90% of...who/what? I often don't understand Mr Eisenberg's takes or why submit a take, at all. Another uncompelling article coming from where? Pull this guy's journalist card.

[ellicottraven]

There is dirty Suh and then there is mini-Suh - Burfict! I must admit that Burfict is about the dirtiest player that is currently playing in the NFL. I don't want 90% dirty or even 10% dirty. I like who we have Mr. Eiserberg.

[catgirl54]

Both Ray Lewis and Ed Reed were ferocious defenders, but they delivered clean hits. I get steamed when trolls from other teams trash Ray Lewis or the Ravens, calling us dirty players. Our guys are tough, but very seldom just out to hurt the other player by any means necessary. I noticed Burfict back in 2011 and knew he was bad news. Glad we stayed away from him.

[Purple Dawg 96]

Hats off to the research dept and the Ravens coming to the conclusion that burfict could not and would not become a Baltimore Raven! The Ravens get it done NICE AND LEGAL! LOL

[Grapple Raven]

I gathered from the premise of Eisenburg's article that the Ravens probably could benefit from a little more "defensive swagger" as it relates to attitude but not at the cost of being reckless when looking toward future acquisitions for the team.

 

It is difficult to walk that tightrope between ability, attitude and a propensity for ill-advised foolhardiness. Hopefully the Ravens can find the right balance in the right player.  Burfict was not it, and it was good decision making on the part of the Ravens to see that.  I for one am thankful that they passed him by.  Burfict = body by Fisher, brains by Mattel.

[52liveforever]

Honestly, I wanted Burfict coming out. When he bombed that .40 yard dash I got so excited knowing his stock would significantly drop. Then the interviews he bombed I thought wow we are going to steal this guy in like the fifth round. I thought surely if there is a group that could straighten him up it would be here. Then the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds passed and there he sat.

Fast forward to 2015. Ozzie made the right move. We are a different team then. I think that unit would have been a good fit for him. I don't think he's good for the unit we have now.