Jermain Burton

[cincygrad]

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.

I read the same things that @Cincyfan78 reported. I think the big issue is that Gandy had a full preseason and was more game-ready. I don't think these guys get tons of reps after the season starts. Clearly the Bengals felt that McLachlan was a terrific prospect, worthy of a roster spot, but more of a redshirt season. To Gandy's credit, I saw a few film clips from this past week where he made terrific blocks. I think he's a decent player.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Film review of the last game has not been kind to Burton.

Cost the Bengals a TD by not using 2 hands on a pass in the endzone. Originally thought maybe his arm got held, but he was clear - looked like he just wasn't ready for the ball in any way and half-hearted the attempt to make the catch.

Then, later in the game, he gets open on a go route, Burrow throws the ball perfectly. Burton slows up, drifts inside, and ends up just out of reach of the ball.

His explanations after the game don't really bode well. He's practicing one way, but then he's not doing those things in the game - which is going to be a big issue for Burrow because Burrow is as consistent as it gets. If you run a go route THIS way in practice, you better be ready to run it THAT way in the game, because that is exactly how Burrow is going to throw the ball.

Seeing a LOT of the red flags pre-draft coming to the forefront. Kid has talent, but at this point - you really have to start questioning his desire to really WANT to play football. It's one thing to do it because you've been good and are getting paid a lot. It's another to rise up to where your talent can take you because you WANT to be the best...so far, in a lot of ways, I don't see that fire in Burton. Maybe it'll come, but man....

 

[cincygrad]

Film review of the last game has not been kind to Burton.

Cost the Bengals a TD by not using 2 hands on a pass in the endzone. Originally thought maybe his arm got held, but he was clear - looked like he just wasn't ready for the ball in any way and half-hearted the attempt to make the catch.

Then, later in the game, he gets open on a go route, Burrow throws the ball perfectly. Burton slows up, drifts inside, and ends up just out of reach of the ball.

His explanations after the game don't really bode well. He's practicing one way, but then he's not doing those things in the game - which is going to be a big issue for Burrow because Burrow is as consistent as it gets. If you run a go route THIS way in practice, you better be ready to run it THAT way in the game, because that is exactly how Burrow is going to throw the ball.

Seeing a LOT of the red flags pre-draft coming to the forefront. Kid has talent, but at this point - you really have to start questioning his desire to really WANT to play football. It's one thing to do it because you've been good and are getting paid a lot. It's another to rise up to where your talent can take you because you WANT to be the best...so far, in a lot of ways, I don't see that fire in Burton. Maybe it'll come, but man....

Yeah, I've been open-minded about Burton and upset that he wasn't getting playing time. But I get it now given what we have seen on the field. The inconsistency is maddening. They showed one of his routes against Baltimore which was perfect and he got the ball. Then the next week you see some clear situations where he doesn't do the right thing. The thing that I don't get is that Burrow seems to 'want' to throw it to him. We've heard for the last couple of years that Burrow needs to trust you to throw it to you. Hell, we saw that with that bum of a tight end we had here last year when Joe stopped throwing it to him. Why does Burrow keep giving him chances in big moments? It seems like he sees something in him but it's not clicking.

I also wonder if this is one of those draft picks that the coaches weren't crazy about. There have been a fair amount of rumblings that Jackson Carmen was a front office pick. And the coaches didn't like him or want him. Same could be true about Burton - Maybe Duke and the Blackburns were too trusting of TJ and his opinions.

 

[DanBengalfan]

I believe he'll do much better next year, this season is lost. but year, we got another wr that's gonna start running his mouth eventually.

 

[cincygrad]

Will miss tomorrow's game in Pittsburgh. Did not travel with team - Coach's decision. I have a friend that is fairly reliable (obviously take this for what it's worth - which might not be a lot) that claims Burton missed all meetings and practice on New Years Day. Maybe he went on a bender?

 

[BKBroiler9000]

Supposedly he was evicted. Theres a screen grab circling of his eviction notice from Radius at the Banks.

Which is literally down the street from team headquarters.

The fact this dude lived 3 minutes away and couldn’t be on time…or even show up at all is a telling sign. He’s a bust. The Jackson Carmen pick at WR. Maybe former Bengals should stop endorcing prospects to Duke and Troy.

Tee Higgins must be re-signed. WR depth is horrendous if he leaves.

 

[Cincyfan78]

You can lead a horse to water....

 

[Cincyfan78]

So, here are the "rumors" I've seen floating...

- Eviction: not a rumor. That is happening. The amount is only for $2500, so it has to be more than just a "missed" rent payment.
- Rumors he missed every practice since Sunday. Meetings. Practices. Walkthroughs. All of it.
- The last one is more touchy of a subject - I'll share it, but I have no clue how true this is - but rumors that he's had more recent domestic issues...could be connected to the 1st point above. Again - I don't know, so I'm not saying this is what happened...but seeing that it's been floated that he has had another domestic issue that is a possible major issue.

Regardless - I hope he gets his life turned around. Not for the Bengals' sake, but just for his own sake. Dude is 23 - he needs to start making better decisions in life because he's an adult - and I'm going to guess that without NFL money - the path forward in life on his current trajectory is not one that likely ends with a happy ending.

As an aside - This just points to WHY this guy did not get more run at WR all year long. Clearly, IMO, there were some major issues behind the scenes that kept him on the sideline. A bit of "play him anyway" was thrown around on this board (and elsewhere) - but obviously in this instance, Taylor was making the right move.

 

[BKBroiler9000]

I’ve also seen a rumor that he’s a possible suspect in connection to Burrow’s house burglary.

Wouldn’t that be spicy.

 

[cincygrad]

I’ve also seen a rumor that he’s a possible suspect in connection to Burrow’s house burglary.

Wouldn’t that be spicy.

I saw the same thing - But it seemed like that person was trolling pretty hard. Though, that would be the story of the year.

 

[cincygrad]

So, here are the "rumors" I've seen floating...

- Eviction: not a rumor. That is happening. The amount is only for $2500, so it has to be more than just a "missed" rent payment.
- Rumors he missed every practice since Sunday. Meetings. Practices. Walkthroughs. All of it.
- The last one is more touchy of a subject - I'll share it, but I have no clue how true this is - but rumors that he's had more recent domestic issues...could be connected to the 1st point above. Again - I don't know, so I'm not saying this is what happened...but seeing that it's been floated that he has had another domestic issue that is a possible major issue.

Regardless - I hope he gets his life turned around. Not for the Bengals' sake, but just for his own sake. Dude is 23 - he needs to start making better decisions in life because he's an adult - and I'm going to guess that without NFL money - the path forward in life on his current trajectory is not one that likely ends with a happy ending.

As an aside - This just points to WHY this guy did not get more run at WR all year long. Clearly, IMO, there were some major issues behind the scenes that kept him on the sideline. A bit of "play him anyway" was thrown around on this board (and elsewhere) - but obviously in this instance, Taylor was making the right move.

I read the same stuff about the domestic issue. I also read some posts talking about how hard it is to actually get evicted in such a short amount of time - Point being, that the apartment complex doesn't normally want to go down that road. And given their proximity to team headquarters, I'm sure they would love to maintain a good relationship with the club. This actually makes it sound like something criminal is in play at his residence.

 

[DanBengalfan]

yea, the coaches have to deal with the reality. he was a high risk pick, Marvin Lewis style. but Zac Taylor isn't a prison warden like Marv was. the kid needs therapy. I can't imagine how much imposter syndrome someone has when they get through college on athletic prowess alone and they get to the NFL and now they have to use their brain as well, and some of them can't do that confidently.

 

[alf8478]

I dont want to sound mean but every time I see him in the background of clips from hard knocks or other video he just looks like he's not all there.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I read the same stuff about the domestic issue. I also read some posts talking about how hard it is to actually get evicted in such a short amount of time - Point being, that the apartment complex doesn't normally want to go down that road. And given their proximity to team headquarters, I'm sure they would love to maintain a good relationship with the club. This actually makes it sound like something criminal is in play at his residence.

That is my thought as well.

$2500 is like...nothing. It's 1 months rent. Rarely do you ever get this kind of notice/lawsuit over 1 months' rent. So, that leads me to believe there is a lot more at play here, as you stated.

 

[Cincyfan78]

yea, the coaches have to deal with the reality. he was a high risk pick, Marvin Lewis style. but Zac Taylor isn't a prison warden like Marv was. the kid needs therapy. I can't imagine how much imposter syndrome someone has when they get through college on athletic prowess alone and they get to the NFL and now they have to use their brain as well, and some of them can't do that confidently.

Problem was, Marvin let the inmates run the prison.

It's exactly why Carson wanted out of Cincinnati - along with the refusal to spend while winning to keep the SB window open.

 

[cincygrad]

Problem was, Marvin let the inmates run the prison.

It's exactly why Carson wanted out of Cincinnati - along with the refusal to spend while winning to keep the SB window open.

Yeah right.... Like the Bengals would refuse to spend with a championship window open.