Luther Burden Breakdown

[msadows]

ill bite...

you point out how the entire teams numbers dropped last year, which is true

but why did Burden fail to perform against any good defenses in 2023 as well then?

he beat up on inferior competition and disappeared against top competition, even in 2023

Dont watch missouri football but he doenst throw himself the ball. Clearly cook is trash. 48 attempts against Ohio state for ~200 yards sounds like a WR's dream scenario

 

[knoxville7]

Dont watch missouri football but he doenst throw himself the ball. Clearly cook is trash. 48 attempts against Ohio state for ~200 yards sounds like a WR's dream scenario

cook was also the QB the year before in 2023 when burden put up massive numbers.

 

[WookieOnRitalin]

cook was also the QB the year before in 2023 when burden put up massive numbers.

Right. Now imagine an even better QB throwing him the ball?

 

[knoxville7]

Right. Now imagine an even better QB throwing him the ball?

sure, but also against even better defenders of which Burden struggled with

 

[WookieOnRitalin]

sure, but also against even better defenders of which Burden struggled with

So did Brady Cook...

Let's take the Georgia game. Burden broke for a 39 yarder in the first quarter. Then Cook could not get him the ball the rest of the game because Georgia took Burden out of the game and forced Cook to throw elsewhere which led to two picks.

I do not take that as an indictment against Burden, but against either the coordinator not figuring out how to get their best wideout the ball or a QB who cracked under the pressure. And again, we're talking about a QB who is not highly regarded in Cook.

 

[dennehy]

So did Brady Cook...

Let's take the Georgia game. Burden broke for a 39 yarder in the first quarter. Then Cook could not get him the ball the rest of the game because Georgia took Burden out of the game and forced Cook to throw elsewhere which led to two picks.

I do not take that as an indictment against Burden, but against either the coordinator not figuring out how to get their best wideout the ball or a QB who cracked under the pressure. And again, we're talking about a QB who is not highly regarded in Cook.

Burden didn't run a ton of routes, and very few down the field (I think under 12 ypc over his career over 75% of catches under 10 yards from LOS), so I thin you could also argue that a good DC with talented DBs could neutralize him because he wasn't very versatile.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

I think this is debateable. He was considered by many to be a mid round 1 talent.

We won't know, but he popped up after their target RB was gone.

They didnt use him much on in routes.

Let me blow your mind: LB3 at RB.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

my concern with Burden(aside from the taking plays off) is that he never produced against the good defenses he faced in college

he was the classic bumslayer

My biggest concern is off the field stuff.

 

[Raskolnikov]

I get it. But he is insurance too. He may be DJ's replacement if DJ starts acting up again.

I think that angle was more lucky than the reality of our WR depth was not sufficient to block WR investment.

Meaning...if they had in their mind replacing Moore pre-draft there are other things to be done in the first round.

Luther is the perfect talent to add to offensive depth who happened to fall in a way that blindsided both parties, Burden and the Bears.

It does give us great Moore insurance.
Doubtful he would get moved before you sign Williams big contract.
Loveland and KMET is a similar dynamic where the starting lineup is slightly improved but the depth is greatly improved by the same move.

 

[Discus fish salesman]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1915914924028792977

 

[WookieOnRitalin]

Burden didn't run a ton of routes, and very few down the field (I think under 12 ypc over his career over 75% of catches under 10 yards from LOS), so I thin you could also argue that a good DC with talented DBs could neutralize him because he wasn't very versatile.

The entirety of the original post is to point out that Burden is very versatile.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Burden didn't run a ton of routes, and very few down the field (I think under 12 ypc over his career over 75% of catches under 10 yards from LOS), so I thin you could also argue that a good DC with talented DBs could neutralize him because he wasn't very versatile.

In no way shape or form can a DC focus on neutralizing him with Moore, Loveland, Odunze, KMET and Swift patrolling.

He literally goes from the first option in the passing game to the last.
He's the 12th or 13th man at best as soon as he beats out Scott which likely won't be easy in his year 3.

The way you are framing it they could just fill the box and keep everything underneath...but it's Moore/Loveland/Odunze and the spread of BJ that is going to open things inside for KMET and Burden and Swift.

This team has potential to jump 20 spots easily in offensive ranking and it has the diversity to prevent DCs from taking any one thing away.

 

[Xplosive]

I like LB3 alot but comparing him to AP is some strong Koolaid.

He's not exactly a bruiser type WR like AJ Brown (20lbs heavier) either but he's definitely a strong runner with the ball in his hands which is why he was also a punt returner.

Best thing about LB3 is his toughness and the passion he plays with that can spark the other guys on the team. He can also be a hot head that gets penalized if he doesn't keep it under control, which is why I'm sure Randle-El will try and take him under his wing.

 

[dennehy]

The entirety of the original post is to point out that Burden is very versatile.

Do you see that when you watch him?

If a player runs more than 75% of their routes at 10 yards or less, that doesn't seem very versatile. He really only one route well down the field, a slot fade. He plays almost entirely from the slot. He doesn't really run many in breaking routes.

Very talented guy and obviously can improve, but I don't see a ton of versatility when I watch him.

 

[dennehy]

In no way shape or form can a DC focus on neutralizing him with Moore, Loveland, Odunze, KMET and Swift patrolling.

He literally goes from the first option in the passing game to the last.
He's the 12th or 13th man at best as soon as he beats out Scott which likely won't be easy in his year 3.

I'd rather have DE2 than WR4, personally.

He will beat out Scott though, although they do totally different things.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Remember that shot of of Randle-El just tearing into Jameson Williams on the sidelines, but a few weeks later he was running down the sideline after he made a catch in Soldier Field? That's what I think you're going to see with LB3.

 

[Xplosive]

I get it. But he is insurance too. He may be DJ's replacement if DJ starts acting up again.

They just gave DJ a 6 year extension. He isnt going anywhere just because he was frustrated with Caleb overthrowing passes and the team losing.

Let's just enjoy having a loaded stable of receivers for the first time ever instead of considering breaking it apart.

 

[Raskolnikov]

I'd rather have DE2 than WR4, personally.

He will beat out Scott though, although they do totally different things.

Booker will be fine.
They also signed a solid cog and drafted one.

2 guys replace Walker and Taylor and Book gets better.

Garrett could still be an option if necessary.


I am as confused as you are about why they traded down from 61 instead of Edge.
I had fears Poles would avoid blocking Booker and it appears that happened.

 

[WookieOnRitalin]

Do you see that when you watch him?

If a player runs more than 75% of their routes at 10 yards or less, that doesn't seem very versatile. He really only one route well down the field, a slot fade. He plays almost entirely from the slot. He doesn't really run many in breaking routes.

Very talented guy and obviously can improve, but I don't see a ton of versatility when I watch him.

Maybe that is not what he was asked to do nor how Missouri ran their offense?

I tend to have more faith in guys who did this for a living on the versatility of a player than just reading random posts on the internet especially selecting in the 2nd round. I trust Ben Johnson and Randle-El to make those observations and they clearly feel he has a lot of versatility.

Even if that wasn't true, not all players need to be WR1 talent. I do not think that is the argument here. I think the argument is could this kid be a contributor right away (yes) and could he eventually make DJ Moore expendable (maybe) down the road? That 12 Group is going to be fun to watch this year regardless.

 

[Discus fish salesman]

Do you see that when you watch him?

If a player runs more than 75% of their routes at 10 yards or less, that doesn't seem very versatile. He really only one route well down the field, a slot fade. He plays almost entirely from the slot. He doesn't really run many in breaking routes.

Very talented guy and obviously can improve, but I don't see a ton of versatility when I watch him.

The in breaking route thing is weird to me because burden is physical and doesn't shy away from contact, so I wonder if the qb was not comfortable throwing in the middle of the field therefore they designed the offense that way?

I dont see a reason to believe he just can't run in breaking routes.