Luther Burden Breakdown

[WookieOnRitalin]

lol you’re acting like cook was some bum

Reality is, he’s 3rd all time in the schools passing yards for a career. He’s not some nobody QB that was throwing to burden

And so, you cannot give a game against an actual good defense where burden played really well. All you can do is give excuses about the QB. You make it out to be only the QB struggled against good defenses. Like both can struggle, you realize right?

Also, not every game against good defenses did cook struggle

Actually, I'm not and I have not talked about his overall grade as a QB. I am placing the critique where it likely falls in greater measure. Cook was an average college QB. He struggled against better defenses. Because HE struggled, so too did the receivers. This is filed under the category of "duh" in most people's eyes.

If you ask people the following...

Did Burden make Cook better or did Cook make Burden look better?

Which do you think they would choose?

My overall claim is that Missouri, as an offense, showed too much inconsistency in both years and ESPECIALLY last year. Who's fault is that? Your claim seems to be that it is a talent problem. I think this is wrong. I think it comes from QB play and scheme. I think you would lose the poll on that one.

Again, take the Georgia game. Cook was 14/30 with two INTs and three sacks. Yet, Burden struggled? He took a 39 yard pass for a TD, but only had two balls after that. Burden is not in control who throws the ball. The reason why he "struggled" against stronger defenses is likely because the QB struggled against greater pressure both in accuracy and getting the ball out.

Again, my claim is that because Cook was an average QB who struggled against stronger defenses.

 

[remydat]

Actually, I'm not and I have not talked about his overall grade as a QB. I am placing the critique where it likely falls in greater measure. Cook was an average college QB. He struggled against better defenses. Because HE struggled, so too did the receivers. This is filed under the category of "duh" in most people's eyes.

If you ask people the following...

Did Burden make Cook better or did Cook make Burden look better?

Which do you think they would choose?

My overall claim is that Missouri, as an offense, showed too much inconsistency in both years and ESPECIALLY last year. Who's fault is that? Your claim seems to be that it is a talent problem. I think this is wrong. I think it comes from QB play and scheme. I think you would lose the poll on that one.

Again, take the Georgia game. Cook was 14/30 with two INTs and three sacks. Yet, Burden struggled? He took a 39 yard pass for a TD, but only had two balls after that. Burden is not in control who throws the ball. The reason why he "struggled" against stronger defenses is likely because the QB struggled against greater pressure both in accuracy and getting the ball out.

Again, my claim is that because Cook was an average QB who struggled against stronger defenses.

Correct. You have an UDFA QB throwing to a 2nd Round WR against a team with 10 NFL players drafted the past 2 years on D. Of the 10, there were two 2nd round DBs, a 3rd round DB, and a first round S. So he was facing an entire secondary of NFL players.

 

[knoxville7]

KSU was 29th in the country at 21 PPG so their defense was not bad. LSU was still a top team so wouldnt call them inferior competition or bum slaying even if their D was not great that year especially when you factor in they graduated more players on D to the NFL than the Mizzou did on offense (3 vs 5) the last 2 years.

By contrast OSU and GA both had 10 guys on D drafted the last 2 years so more than 3 times as many. Tough to play against a team with pretty much an NFL caliber player every were on D when the only NFL players on your side are you and 2 OL.

That doesnt mean it isnt a concern. Just means there is a plausible reason why he would struggle beyond his own play. So will just have to see how it pans out in the NFL.

LSU was a good team thanks to its elite offense that year. Their defense was trash. I’ll grant you KSU being decent defensively

Mentioning that Georgia and OSU were loaded with NFL caliber defenders just proves my point since guess who burden will be playing against now…NFL caliber players

Like I said, I’m not saying he’s going to be a total bust. Just that there’s reasons to pump the brakes on the hype train.

Bears fans do this every year…over hype some draft pick

 

[knoxville7]

Actually, I'm not and I have not talked about his overall grade as a QB. I am placing the critique where it likely falls in greater measure. Cook was an average college QB. He struggled against better defenses. Because HE struggled, so too did the receivers. This is filed under the category of "duh" in most people's eyes.

If you ask people the following...

Did Burden make Cook better or did Cook make Burden look better?

Which do you think they would choose?

My overall claim is that Missouri, as an offense, showed too much inconsistency in both years and ESPECIALLY last year. Who's fault is that? Your claim seems to be that it is a talent problem. I think this is wrong. I think it comes from QB play and scheme. I think you would lose the poll on that one.

Again, take the Georgia game. Cook was 14/30 with two INTs and three sacks. Yet, Burden struggled? He took a 39 yard pass for a TD, but only had two balls after that. Burden is not in control who throws the ball. The reason why he "struggled" against stronger defenses is likely because the QB struggled against greater pressure both in accuracy and getting the ball out.

Again, my claim is that because Cook was an average QB who struggled against stronger defenses.

lol cook was not an average college QB. Average college QB’s don’t finish top 3 all time at their school for QB stats. That’s not the definition of average

And you keep harping on the Georgia game. Yes, cook struggled along with Burden in that game

Now do all the other games against top defenses

 

[BearDown104]

LSU was a good team thanks to its elite offense that year. Their defense was trash. I’ll grant you KSU being decent defensively

Mentioning that Georgia and OSU were loaded with NFL caliber defenders just proves my point since guess who burden will be playing against now…NFL caliber players

Like I said, I’m not saying he’s going to be a total bust. Just that there’s reasons to pump the brakes on the hype train.

Bears fans do this every year…over hype some draft pick

Why, cause I already got Trapilo fitted for his HOF jacket? No we don’t….

 

[WookieOnRitalin]

lol cook was not an average college QB. Average college QB’s don’t finish top 3 all time at their school for QB stats. That’s not the definition of average

And you keep harping on the Georgia game. Yes, cook struggled along with Burden in that game

Now do all the other games against top defenses

Yes he was. Finishing top 3 in passing stats in the modern era at a particular school is not the laudable event you believe it is. Again, conduct the poll or ask talent evaluators. Cook was an average college QB.

The reason you watch the Georgia game is that is the toughest defense they played. Burden DID NOT struggle in that game. I rewatched the game.

Burden on the TD absolutely burned the DB. On two other targets to Burden in the first half.
1: Burden separated, beat his man, was open, Cook throws behind him.
2: On another, Burden separates deep down the field only to underthrow him, forcing Burden to slow down which allowed the DB to reenter the play (this play the DB is called for PI).
3: Later, Burden again separates and has a shot at another TD, but Cook throws another bad pass that causes Burden to tweak his ankle trying to make a hero play. Decides to keep playing in spite of it.

Then, Cook just got worse in the game. Burden was consistently separating from his DB only to have Cook throw bad pass after bad pass.

I do not know how Burden "struggled" by any analysis.

 

[knoxville7]

Yes he was. Finishing top 3 in passing stats in the modern era at a particular school is not the laudable event you believe it is. Again, conduct the poll or ask talent evaluators. Cook was an average college QB.

The reason you watch the Georgia game is that is the toughest defense they played. Burden DID NOT struggle in that game. I rewatched the game.

Burden on the TD absolutely burned the DB. On two other targets to Burden in the first half.
1: Burden separated, beat his man, was open, Cook throws behind him.
2: On another, Burden separates deep down the field only to underthrow him, forcing Burden to slow down which allowed the DB to reenter the play (this play the DB is called for PI).
3: Later, Burden again separates and has a shot at another TD, but Cook throws another bad pass that causes Burden to tweak his ankle trying to make a hero play. Decides to keep playing in spite of it.

Then, Cook just got worse in the game. Burden was consistently separating from his DB only to have Cook throw bad pass after bad pass.

I do not know how Burden "struggled" by any analysis.

you can claim he is only an average college QB all you want, it wont make it any more true. i think you might want to look up what the average QB in college is actually doing. hint, the average college QB doesnt finish top 3 in passing yards at their school. that doesnt mean cook is amazing by any means or will be some NFL player, but it also doesnt equal him being an average college QB either...no matter if the year is 2025 or not

lol which year georgia game are you watching? since you know, they played multiple times in burdens career. im assuming 2023? in which, anotehr receiver had a solid game and didnt seem to get "dragged down" by the QB play. theo wease had 5 catches for 90 yards.

blaming the QB only, the tradition of bears fans!

 

[TexasBearfan]

his jukes are a little kadarius toney-ish....hopefully his brain isn't.

if this guy is right austin booker is the man we may already have the DE you guys are jonesing for

 

[WookieOnRitalin]

you can claim he is only an average college QB all you want, it wont make it any more true. i think you might want to look up what the average QB in college is actually doing

lol which year georgia game are you watching? since you know, they played multiple times in burdens career

blaming the QB only, the tradition of bears fans!

2023 because they did not play them in 2024.

They however played Alabama on the road in 2024. Let's see what happened in that game for Burden. 3 Receptions for 3 yards.

Terrible right?

Well, Cook gets knocked out and the backup QB throws....3 INTs. Missouri only had 72 yards of passing offense the whole game. Yet, Burden "struggled" against a top D.

Before you can use the word "struggle" you should begin by defining what that means in your view to create clarity. Looking at a stat sheet is not the same as watching the actual game.

Generally speaking, Missouri was always better at home offensively and struggled in road games. I imagine the noise impacts Cook's performance. Take the South Carolina game in '24. On the road, Mizzou struggles early. Could not finish a few drives and are playing from behind. Last drive in the 4th quarter, down by 4, guess who shows up to catch another 39 yard TD pass with 1:10?

Luther Burden.

Dude is a player that shows up. The more I watch him, the more I like him. I guess this conversation has forced me to watch even more games with him in it and now I get why he was rated late 1st, early 2nd receiver.

Watching Cook in these games? Brutal.

 

[knoxville7]

2023 because they did not play them in 2024.

They however played Alabama on the road in 2024. Let's see what happened in that game for Burden. 3 Receptions for 3 yards.

Terrible right?

Well, Cook gets knocked out and the backup QB throws....3 INTs. Missouri only had 72 yards of passing offense the whole game. Yet, Burden "struggled" against a top D.

Before you can use the word "struggle" you should begin by defining what that means in your view to create clarity. Looking at a stat sheet is not the same as watching the actual game.

Generally speaking, Missouri was always better at home offensively and struggled in road games. I imagine the noise impacts Cook's performance. Take the South Carolina game in '24. On the road, Mizzou struggles early. Could not finish a few drives and are playing from behind. Last drive in the 4th quarter, down by 4, guess who shows up to catch another 39 yard TD pass with 1:10?

Luther Burden.

Dude is a player that shows up. The more I watch him, the more I like him. I guess this conversation has forced me to watch even more games with him in it and now I get why he was rated late 1st, early 2nd receiver.

Watching Cook in these games? Brutal.

lmao you do realize they did play georgia in 2022 as well, yeah? it is not limited to just 2023 and 2024 as both burden and cook were there 2022 also. and burden was shut down again in that game

and buddy, i watch tons of SEC football. i aint just looking at the box scores as you suggest.

how did burden do in those games against Tennessee? Alabama? Georgia? he never put up a good game against any of them at any point. even when his team thrashed Tennessee 36-7, burden went for 4 catches for 26 yards and a TD...nothing impressive. and you cant blame brady cook in this one, as he went 18/24 for 275 yards passing. the year before against Tennessee 3 catches for 19 yards and a TD...nothing special.

all im saying is it is cause for concern that he never produced against top defenses. not saying he cant be a good player for the bears still, just pumping the brakes on the hype train for him is all

 

[WookieOnRitalin]

lmao you do realize they did play georgia in 2022 as well, yeah? it is not limited to just 2023 and 2024 as both burden and cook were there 2022 also. and burden was shut down again in that game

and buddy, i watch tons of SEC football. i aint just looking at the box scores as you suggest.

how did burden do in those games against Tennessee? Alabama? Georgia? he never put up a good game against any of them at any point. even when his team thrashed Tennessee 36-7, burden went for 4 catches for 26 yards and a TD...nothing impressive. and you cant blame brady cook in this one, as he went 18/24 for 275 yards passing. the year before against Tennessee 3 catches for 19 yards and a TD...nothing special.

all im saying is it is cause for concern that he never produced against top defenses. not saying he cant be a good player for the bears still, just pumping the brakes on the hype train for him is all

He was a freshman! Why do I give a shit what he did as a freshman when he broke out as a Sophomore?

A wideout is not responsible for the ball being thrown to him. If other guys are open, they are open and the plays go as they go. You are not supporting your idea of "struggle" with actually defining what it means.

The main issue, again, is that you are not really coming up with ideas that disprove the notion that Cook was the primary mechanism for the struggles against tougher defenses. Not one.

Your argument would be more convincing if you did.

 

[Butkus34]

his jukes are a little kadarius toney-ish....hopefully his brain isn't.

if this guy is right austin booker is the man we may already have the DE you guys are jonesing for

Bears need better rush up the middle, that would help the edge rushers get home, when QBs can stand in the pocket, or just step up into it, very hard for any edge rusher to get home

 

[knoxville7]

He was a freshman! Why do I give a shit what he did as a freshman when he broke out as a Sophomore?

A wideout is not responsible for the ball being thrown to him. If other guys are open, they are open and the plays go as they go. You are not supporting your idea of "struggle" with actually defining what it means.

The main issue, again, is that you are not really coming up with ideas that disprove the notion that Cook was the primary mechanism for the struggles against tougher defenses. Not one.

Your argument would be more convincing if you did.

He was a 5 star recruit, they make impacts as a freshman a lot of the time. sorry for including his entire college career

and i have given examples of games against good defenses where cook played well but burden did not produce. you choose to ignore that, and thats fine and up to you to do so

so yes, i have given examples that disprove your notion, but continue ignoring them

i hope burden has a wonderful career with the bears, but i have doubts. sorry that bothers you so much. we can bump this thread in a few years and see what has transpired, though i doubt either of us will remember this convo in a few years

 

[Wild_x_Card]

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.

Is it that he's not very versatile or is it a byproduct of their offense? Its a legitimate question.

Take Jayed Daniel's last year, his passing charts showed a real lack of throws over the middle at all 3 levels. Which people here questioned and some had concerns with. My point is he showed he's more then capable of making those throws in the NFL where as he didn't, or wasn't able to in college based on LSU's offense. They put a real focus on getting the ball to their playmakers on the perimeter.

 

[SugarWalls]

In Johnson we trust

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

Everyone wants to compare him to DJ Moore because of the YAC but this is why I say he’s the jamo, who I think the lions took at like 9 overall with a trade up.

Hes a speedy / shifty WR that needs work, and Ben will be able to scheme ways to get him the ball

 

[dennehy]

Is it that he's not very versatile or is it a byproduct of their offense? Its a legitimate question.

Take Jayed Daniel's last year, his passing charts showed a real lack of throws over the middle at all 3 levels. Which people here questioned and some had concerns with. My point is he showed he's more then capable of making those throws in the NFL where as he didn't, or wasn't able to in college based on LSU's offense. They put a real focus on getting the ball to their playmakers on the perimeter.

We'll see. As I've mentioned, I see a guy with a lot of talent who was used to do a limited number of things. I didn't think he was particularly dynamic in most routes down the field when he did run them, but not everyone is going to see it that way. Either way, he's got the talent and I hope his game can be more diverse in the NFL.

 

[Noonthirtyjoe]

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.

In-case of injury then. No DJ is not going anywhere anytime soon and no one is wishing for that. And I am enjoying a loaded stable on offense.

 

[remydat]

LSU was a good team thanks to its elite offense that year. Their defense was trash. I’ll grant you KSU being decent defensively

Mentioning that Georgia and OSU were loaded with NFL caliber defenders just proves my point since guess who burden will be playing against now…NFL caliber players

Like I said, I’m not saying he’s going to be a total bust. Just that there’s reasons to pump the brakes on the hype train.

Bears fans do this every year…over hype some draft pick

Yes but the difference is he was playing against NFL caliber players with non-NFL caliber teammates particularly at QB. In the NFL, he will have NFL caliber teammates to lean on.

Don't think Bears fans are overhyping him at all as he was considered a 1st round talent by most.

I also am not saying your concerns are not valid. I just gave one possible reason why he struggled against teams stacked with NFL caliber players. Maybe that explains his struggles or maybe he struggled because he isnt ready for that level of competition. Only time will tell which is correct.

 

[remydat]

Ok here is the tape from 2023. GA game starts 18:07. After the 39 yard TD, it goes as follows.

1 - Throw behind him that would have netted 10 yards.

2 - PI on a pass from the 17 to the 50 so that is 33 yards. Burden had a step but ball was severely underthrown.

3 - Ball at 19 and Burden gets one hand on ball in end zone. Better pass and it is a 19 yard TD.

4 - Another deep pass but will say this is good coverage. A better pass gives Burden a better chance but he doesnt get enough separation for me to put this all on Cook.

5 - Last incomplete pass is a 10 yarder where if Cook leads him it is a completion perhaps with room to turn upfield.

So I count 72 yards lost due to the QB. So add that and it would be 125 yards. Would be about 160 if Cook had delivered a pinpoint pass on that 4th pass but that is a tough pass.

So I gotta agree with @WookieOnRitalin at least as it relates to GA. Cook let him down. Burden wasnt bad. His QB was inaccurate.

 

[knoxville7]

Ok here is the tape from 2023. GA game starts 18:07. After the 39 yard TD, it goes as follows.

1 - Throw behind him that would have netted 10 yards.

2 - PI on a pass from the 17 to the 50 so that is 33 yards. Burden had a step but ball was severely underthrown.

3 - Ball at 19 and Burden gets one hand on ball in end zone. Better pass and it is a 19 yard TD.

4 - Another deep pass but will say this is good coverage. A better pass gives Burden a better chance but he doesnt get enough separation for me to put this all on Cook.

5 - Last incomplete pass is a 10 yarder where if Cook leads him it is a completion perhaps with room to turn upfield.

So I count 72 yards lost due to the QB. So add that and it would be 125 yards. Would be about 160 if Cook had delivered a pinpoint pass on that 4th pass but that is a tough pass.

So I gotta agree with @WookieOnRitalin at least as it relates to GA. Cook let him down. Burden wasnt bad. His QB was inaccurate.

lol so now we are doing what if yardage

Every WR could do that and make up what if yardage

Also, Cook is currently an NFL QB for the NY Jets, so clearly the NFL doesn’t think cook is trash

Cook was a better than average college QB. Did he miss throws at times? Yes, like every QB does.