Jermain Burton

[DanBengalfan]

Is he immature? yes. he got in plenty of trouble in college. I think he has ADHD.

Can he be helped? yes. someone needs to mentor him and take an interest in him. It should be us. I know kids like this, and they do need guidance and a kick in the pants from time to time. therapy would help. hopefully, he doesn't turn to drugs. if he does, then he'll be toast.

Is it unfortunate that he hasn't been a star this year? yes. but I would project him on a curve just slightly behind Chad Johnson. Chad had 329 yards his first year and 28 receptions. Chad became a big star and a pro-bowler. It's going to take Burton a little longer, but he has the stuff. once he gets rolling, he will really be rolling.

my prediction: by mid 2025 people will be buying Burton jerseys praising his name. he will get fined now and then and he will have an ego like OBJ.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Is he immature? yes. he got in plenty of trouble in college. I think he has ADHD.

Can he be helped? yes. someone needs to mentor him and take an interest in him. It should be us. I know kids like this, and they do need guidance and a kick in the pants from time to time. therapy would help. hopefully, he doesn't turn to drugs. if he does, then he'll be toast.

Is it unfortunate that he hasn't been a star this year? yes. but I would project him on a curve just slightly behind Chad Johnson. Chad had 329 yards his first year and 28 receptions. Chad became a big star and a pro-bowler. It's going to take Burton a little longer, but he has the stuff. once he gets rolling, he will really be rolling.

my prediction: by mid 2025 people will be buying Burton jerseys praising his name. he will get fined now and then and he will have an ego like OBJ.

Can he be helped? Who knows. First he has to learn to help himself. You can't help someone who doesn't think they don't need help.

I'd pass on having an OBJ like character on this team - they already have Chase as a top 5 WR in the NFL - they don't need a clown show for another WR. That shit can go elsewhere.

Don't think this team hasn't already tried to do the things you are talking about. They've done extensive work on his background and even had a connection with TJ Housh being a mentor of his...let's not act like the Bengals are out there letting this kid hang in the wind...

At some point - you have to put on your big boy pants and just man the F* up...Burton is in this category. He's talented, but he's not so talented that teams are going to look the other way and ignore his issues....teams that do will also have locker-room issues. This team, for all of its warts, does not have a locker room issue and it's because guys like Burton can't just do whatever they want and then see the field on Sunday. That privilege is EARNED...not given....no matter how talented you are.

 

[DanBengalfan]

Can he be helped? Who knows. First he has to learn to help himself. You can't help someone who doesn't think they don't need help.

I'd pass on having an OBJ like character on this team - they already have Chase as a top 5 WR in the NFL - they don't need a clown show for another WR. That shit can go elsewhere.

Don't think this team hasn't already tried to do the things you are talking about. They've done extensive work on his background and even had a connection with TJ Housh being a mentor of his...let's not act like the Bengals are out there letting this kid hang in the wind...

At some point - you have to put on your big boy pants and just man the F* up...Burton is in this category. He's talented, but he's not so talented that teams are going to look the other way and ignore his issues....teams that do will also have locker-room issues. This team, for all of its warts, does not have a locker room issue and it's because guys like Burton can't just do whatever they want and then see the field on Sunday. That privilege is EARNED...not given....no matter how talented you are.

oh. I'm not saying it's going to last. even Chad crashed and burned at the end. there will be good years. there will be times when Chase is injured or double covered and we will be very greatful that we have Burton. Similar to Tee, but better in some ways, and worse in others. Tee is a team player, just sadly entering the time of his career curve where injuries become prevalent.

The Bengals drafted him knowing EXACTLY what he was like. Now, they have to see it through.

 

[cincygrad]

I shrugged it off when Nick Saban had a negative reaction when Burton was drafted. In retrospect, that was probably telling.... To me though I thought it was disingenuous as Saban had Burton as a starter and key contributor on a playoff team. So clearly he was working around the difficulties. But it's pretty rare to see a coach crap on a former player on television. Makes me wonder what sorts of shit the dude did down at Alabama.

 

[DanBengalfan]

oh, there's going to be good times and bad. if he has a 1000 yard season in the next few years, he's gonna want a new mansion or some shit. he'll be smoking diamond encrusted cigars.

 

[cincygrad]

oh, there's going to be good times and bad. if he has a 1000 yard season in the next few years, he's gonna want a new mansion or some shit. he'll be smoking diamond encrusted cigars.

It's also not like he is the only immature receiver in the NFL. I just don't understand exactly what it is that causes issues.... Does he really struggle to show up for practices and meetings? Is that his fundamental problem? And if so, is it because he has substance abuse issues or is he just immature? It seems like this sort of thing can be fixed if there aren't other deep-seeded issues..... But as @Cincyfan78 basically said - he has to want to do it. Maybe that's the big problem.... he just doesn't care.

 

[DanBengalfan]

It's also not like he is the only immature receiver in the NFL. I just don't understand exactly what it is that causes issues.... Does he really struggle to show up for practices and meetings? Is that his fundamental problem? And if so, is it because he has substance abuse issues or is he just immature? It seems like this sort of thing can be fixed if there aren't other deep-seeded issues..... But as @Cincyfan78 basically said - he has to want to do it. Maybe that's the big problem.... he just doesn't care.

might be a cultural inside disagreement. One person is like "lets draft this kid who has all these personality issues, but runs real fast and catches good." and the coach is like, Ok, but if I can't control him, he can't play.

I've been hired to jobs before where one manager thought I was great, and another one thought I was not a good fit for the culture. I was dismissed even though I was catching on and doing decently. it wasn't approved by a certain manager and he got rid of me to show he was the real boss. incidently, he got fired next, lol.

I know other folks who have gotten hired for jobs, and then never given a start date and never worked for the job that hired them. probably some manager internally that was like "I never approved this!"

The Bengals need to get on the same page. hopefully, the current discipline is coming acrossed as consistent and persistent and it will all work out.

 

[DanBengalfan]

another option is just trade him to a team that can handle it.

 

[Cincyfan78]

might be a cultural inside disagreement. One person is like "lets draft this kid who has all these personality issues, but runs real fast and catches good." and the coach is like, Ok, but if I can't control him, he can't play.

I've been hired to jobs before where one manager thought I was great, and another one thought I was not a good fit for the culture. I was dismissed even though I was catching on and doing decently. it wasn't approved by a certain manager and he got rid of me to show he was the real boss. incidently, he got fired next, lol.

I know other folks who have gotten hired for jobs, and then never given a start date and never worked for the job that hired them. probably some manager internally that was like "I never approved this!"

The Bengals need to get on the same page. hopefully, the current discipline is coming acrossed as consistent and persistent and it will all work out.

I think they were on the same page - I think they felt with Housh training/mentoring him, Chase, Burrow, etc...the locker-room would be strong enough to withstand any issues. I think that's correct. Burton was only a nominal blip of a distraction last week despite the issues at hand. Burrow, Taylor, and others continue to hold him accountable while also giving him room to grow/learn from his mistakes without a final judgement.

It will remain to be seen if things turn around, or not, for him - but I do think the calculated risk they took was a good one - the locker room and staff seem to have been consistent from day 1 with him - and to this point, his issues have not caused any kind of ripple effect on the rest of the roster.

 

[cincygrad]

I think they were on the same page - I think they felt with Housh training/mentoring him, Chase, Burrow, etc...the locker-room would be strong enough to withstand any issues. I think that's correct. Burton was only a nominal blip of a distraction last week despite the issues at hand. Burrow, Taylor, and others continue to hold him accountable while also giving him room to grow/learn from his mistakes without a final judgement.

It will remain to be seen if things turn around, or not, for him - but I do think the calculated risk they took was a good one - the locker room and staff seem to have been consistent from day 1 with him - and to this point, his issues have not caused any kind of ripple effect on the rest of the roster.

Did anyone see Chase's interview this week? He specifically mentions oversleeping a team meeting before the Baltimore game in his rookie season. Says it never happened again. Also said that putting up 200 receiving yards probably mended a few fences that week.

On the one hand, it's important to note that these are young guys and some of them have trouble with the freedom that accompanies being a professional athlete. On the other hand, I continued to wonder whether Zac Taylor has double standards for star players. Chase was under no threat to report this offseason even though he was under contract. We also learned that he received no consequences for his immature behavior as a rookie. Now, maybe one offense isn't a big deal and the bigger issue is that this is a pattern for Burton. We just don't know.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Did anyone see Chase's interview this week? He specifically mentions oversleeping a team meeting before the Baltimore game in his rookie season. Says it never happened again. Also said that putting up 200 receiving yards probably mended a few fences that week.

On the one hand, it's important to note that these are young guys and some of them have trouble with the freedom that accompanies being a professional athlete. On the other hand, I continued to wonder whether Zac Taylor has double standards for star players. Chase was under no threat to report this offseason even though he was under contract. We also learned that he received no consequences for his immature behavior as a rookie. Now, maybe one offense isn't a big deal and the bigger issue is that this is a pattern for Burton. We just don't know.

I'm not sure you can really compare the Chase situation this offseason to what Burton is going through...but I do see your point. I also don't know if Taylor really had any control over that situation considering that the owner(s) were willing to pay Chase while not practicing. I think it was more of a sign of good faith effort to get something done, that ultimately did not come to fruition.

Not to mention - Chase has been in the NFL a few years, and is widely considered a top 5 WR in the game. He's put his time in, and other than a blip here or there, has been pretty dang consistent in terms of showing up, meetings, games, etc...Burton is a rookie who has done nothing at the NFL level, and in order to show what you can do on the field, you first have to show you are willing to do what it takes to get ON the field. Chase did that. Burton can too. Let's hope, like Chase, this works as a wakeup call for Burton. He has to know that if he can't get it done with Chase, Higgins, and especially Burrow as your QB - to do what is needed to play - that kind of red flag is going to impact him down the line. Sure, a team will take a flyer on him - he may even get more rope and play more - but his contract will suck because no one is going to pay him to prove everyone wrong. He'll end up on a 2-3 year prove-it deal, and end up wasting a solid chunk of his early years vastly underpaid with no way to truly recoup that money.

We'll see...I root for the kid because when he's good, the Bengals will be even better...but he's got to put the work in.

 

[DanBengalfan]

was nice to see him getting some playing time. wish he could have made some of those catches. welcome to the NFL kid, nobody cares about you here.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Overall, thought he had a good game.

His time is coming - and once Higgins is back outside - you can now really mix and match with Burton and Chase....and still have Gesicki as your 4th option, and Brown showing what he can do as well in the passing game.

 

[DanBengalfan]

Overall, thought he had a good game.

His time is coming - and once Higgins is back outside - you can now really mix and match with Burton and Chase....and still have Gesicki as your 4th option, and Brown showing what he can do as well in the passing game.

yep. I imagine they may retool some of the offense in the offseason; however, it might just be what it is now. We need to stock up on defensive players. all 7 rounds, and some free agents.

I know the OL is hurting a little too, but I believe that our tough schedule contributes to that. Joe will drop back and go through his reads for what seems an eternity in football time, so any OL we bring in to replace these guys is going to have similar issues.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

So why is a TE they signed off practice squad getting a catch last week and playing time (Gandy) when you have McLachlan stuffed on your 53 man roster every week being labeled a non-active? I don't get it.

 

[Cincyfan78]

So why is a TE they signed off practice squad getting a catch last week and playing time (Gandy) when you have McLachlan stuffed on your 53 man roster every week being labeled a non-active? I don't get it.

Dehner Jr covered this prior to the game, but IIRC this is a synopsis:

McLachlan had a small injury in camp that set him back. Gandy has played/practiced well and just passed him a bit for the moment. I think McLachlan will get his shot soon.

Why carry him? Because to release him, he is exposed to waivers and with 100% be picked up. Bengals are high on his potential down the road, likely as soon as next year when the TE room is likely to look like this: All, McLachlan, Sample.

Now - the ACL for All will complicate some things - so maybe Hudson or Gesicki return - but that was the game-plan from day 1.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Dehner Jr covered this prior to the game, but IIRC this is a synopsis:

McLachlan had a small injury in camp that set him back. Gandy has played/practiced well and just passed him a bit for the moment. I think McLachlan will get his shot soon.

Why carry him? Because to release him, he is exposed to waivers and with 100% be picked up. Bengals are high on his potential down the road, likely as soon as next year when the TE room is likely to look like this: All, McLachlan, Sample.

Now - the ACL for All will complicate some things - so maybe Hudson or Gesicki return - but that was the game-plan from day 1.

So McLachlan is still hurt or he is too stupid to pick up the playbook? Because if a practice squad player is out playing him healthy, that is not a good sign.

 

[Cincyfan78]

So McLachlan is still hurt or he is too stupid to pick up the playbook? Because if a practice squad player is out playing him healthy, that is not a good sign.

McLachland is seen more as a pass-catcher. They have Gesicki and Hudson...the other guy is seen more of a blocker. While All was showing what he could do as a pass-catcher, it was the blocking (and willingness to block) that was talked about as the separating factor for him.

So, I think it's a bit that Gandy was further along - but also because his skill-set is a bit more towards what the Bengals want out there in their 4th TE at this point...Bengals don't really lack for pass-catching, even with Higgins sidelined. Having another capable blocker is where they wanted to go.

Right call? Who knows...but it's a move that I at least can understand...

 

[CrashDavisSports]

McLachland is seen more as a pass-catcher. They have Gesicki and Hudson...the other guy is seen more of a blocker. While All was showing what he could do as a pass-catcher, it was the blocking (and willingness to block) that was talked about as the separating factor for him.

So, I think it's a bit that Gandy was further along - but also because his skill-set is a bit more towards what the Bengals want out there in their 4th TE at this point...Bengals don't really lack for pass-catching, even with Higgins sidelined. Having another capable blocker is where they wanted to go.

Right call? Who knows...but it's a move that I at least can understand...

That seems weird that McLachlan would have changed his stripes once he got drafted. He was rated top 5 at TE in blocking his last year at college. So what caused him to lose that tool in his bag once he got drafted?

Both All and McLachlan were both top 5 in blocking, and while All was a little higher ranked pass catching that McLachlan, McLachlan was not far off. They were both considered dual threat TE's.

 

[Cincyfan78]

That seems weird that McLachlan would have changed his stripes once he got drafted. He was rated top 5 at TE in blocking his last year at college. So what caused him to lose that tool in his bag once he got drafted?

Both All and McLachlan were both top 5 in blocking, and while All was a little higher ranked pass catching that McLachlan, McLachlan was not far off. They were both considered dual threat TE's.

Dunno - but Brown was rated as a solid blocker coming out of college and yet for nearly the better part of 1 1/2 years all we heard was about him needing to be a better blocker to get on the field...

Who knows - again, not saying I agree with the move -just what Dehner was reporting...