Imperfect and Irreplaceable: The Vontaze Burfict Conundrum
The imperfections of Vontaze Burfict overshadow just how irreplaceable he is to the Bengals defense. Maybe that’s why Bengals management risks their reputation to keep him around.
An ImBurfict Timeline
Before gaining the well-deserved reputation of being the NFL’s dirtiest player, Vontaze Burfict was a dirty College player. His talent was never in question and was named a Preseason All-American as a Sophomore in 2010. Yet, in that same season was benched for an excessive amount of Personal Foul penalties. Just as telling as the benching is the fact that he still led his team in tackles and was named a postseason All-American. Herein lies the broken paradigm of Vontaze Burfict. On one hand, an extremely talented player and on the other an extremely volatile teammate.
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The next year at Arizona State Burfict both punched a teammate and regressed in his number of overall tackles. Even so, he declared for the NFL Draft and proceeded to give horrible interviews during the Draft process and fail a pre-Draft drug test. Scouts and Coaches agreed across the board that he could not be trusted or drafted. Eventually, Marvin Lewis signed Burfict via the Supplemental Draft. Since his arrival in 2012, he has been fined more than any other player in the NFL. During that time frame, Burfict has been accused of attempting to injure opponents while nearly decapitating Antonio Brown last year and diving at the knee of Martellus Bennett last week.
It could be argued that Vontaze is everything you want in a Linebacker: strong, mean, intense and unafraid. His talent cannot be overlooked no matter how large his failures loom.
Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Vontaze Burfict couldn’t jump over a phone book during his draft combine and overall didn’t perform well. But as a Pro, he has proven to be a great tackler and stout run stopper.
The Run Stopper
At 6’1 and 248 pounds, Vontaze Burfict is bad news for opposing offensive lines and running backs. His intensity and love for hitting other people (before, during and after the whistle) makes him feared in both one-on-one and gang tackle situations. The fearlessness Burfict shows in open field tackling along with the pure power of his hits has made it difficult to take him off the field. Looking purely at legitimate Football plays in both College and the NFL shows that Burfict also has a nose for the ball and for ball carriers. Not only does he have great tackling form paired with a high motor; he does not get tired of putting people on the ground.
Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Forget not that Vontaze Burfict was a Pro Bowl LB in 2013 and was 2nd team All-Pro that same year. With 114 solo tackles, 57 assisted tackles along, 3 sacks, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble Burfict proved he could be an irreplaceable asset to the Bengals. Since then both he and Bengals management have been chasing the ghost of Burfict past. The first two years saw 16 games played for Burfict while he only played 15 games total over the last two years. For him to regain the form of years past is important for both him and his team. The run he was on was stopped by his own actions and must be restarted if he wants to remain in the League.
What Needs To Happen
First things first, Vontaze Burfict needs to decide who he wants to be. Does he want to be a WWE villain or does he want to be an NFL Linebacker? He cannot be both. Over the last year, Burfict has destroyed any goodness in his reputation by continuing to rack up penalty yards and fines.
The playoff loss to the Steelers last year was squarely on the shoulders of Vontaze Burfict and Adam Jones. For Burfict, his time in the NFL could be drawing short. With a reputation for dirty play and verifiable video proof thereof Burfict has one foot out of the NFL whether he knows it or not. For the betterment of the team and for him as a person the Bengals need to Cut Vontaze Burfict immediately.
Marvin Lewis Too
However, it appears that Lewis has chosen N0. 55 as his ride-or-die and there won’t be any cutting or benching. Truth is, it may be time for BOTH Lewis and Burfict to be let go before the Bengals become a laughing stock yet again. It may be unfair to lump both men together since Marvin Lewis has a great reputation among NFL players and coaches. Yet, by doing nothing and even defending Burfict, Marvin Lewis has chosen to lump himself in with the troubled defender. The sad truth of the NFL is that if Vontaze plays like an All-Pro again he will suddenly be described as edgy and old school instead of dirty and disposable.
Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
If the self-centered and dirty play continues, his season and career may come to another early end. With or without him, the Bengals still have a chance to make a Playoff run.
Ben Roethlisberger is hurt, the Browns are awful and the Ravens don’t know who they are yet. Consequently, the Bengals have plenty of chances to either win the AFC North or be a Wild Card contender once again. Regardless of the schedule, the Bengals have a great offense and a defense that has yet to truly hit their stride. The major players and coaches on this team have been through the playoff push before and won’t be intimated by the task.
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No one knows what Bengals ownership and management will do but Marvin Lewis could be coaching for his job.
The Vontaze situation is truly a difficult decision for a team and a coach in a delicate situation. No matter the talent, the actions of Burfict cannot be defended or supported. In the same light, linebackers with All-Pro abilities don’t just grow in the Jungle. However, this season turns out the Bengals must also choose who they will be. Will they tolerate a player like him or will they take a stand?
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