Raiders didn't want him, I like to think we're better than them, so we won't need his services. I'd rather ride with Jenkins and Tripp.

 

I like the potential of our current stable of LBs...Misi really seems to be taking to the middle job, and our backups are good enough in that role. I think the re-shuffle can only improve last year's performance...by far.

 

Wouldnt mind. LB is one of those positions where you can never have enough depth. Id want to work him out for and see how his past injuries are.

 

I think he failed his physical.

 

no thanks. I'd rather take the risk on playing our young guys more...Jenkins, Tresnik..than bring back an over the hill vet.

 

I'd be all for it if he can pass a physical and isn't too expensive. His performance at the weakside position in this defense in 2012 would be leaps and bounds better than what we got last year from Wheeler and what we are likely to get from Ellerbe.

 

Sign me up. I loved when Burnett was here. I just wonder whose call it really was to let him and Dansby go. If Philbin had a hand in it then I don't see Mr. Kevin Burnett wanting to come back here.

 

Wasn't a fan so I'd be out.

 

If Burnett hadn't previously played for the phins would this even be a consideration?

 

Sure, the Dolphins linebackers have performed badly.

 

I'm not saying we shouldn't look to improve the LB core but is Kevin Burnett the kind of player that would intrigue you if his name wasn't familiar?

 

Yes, sure. Burnett is a pretty good player.

 

I don't see why not.

Although I'm not sure he left on great terms with the staff.

 

Burnett had a pretty good stint with SD playing in a 3-4 defense a few years back. Since then he has been average at best, he is 31 and coming off an injury. Not exactly the type of player to get all worked up over but if you could get him for depth on a sweat heart deal then maybe.

 

I was happy to see him go, so no. Wheeler may turn out to be worse, but that doesn't mean Burnett was getting the job done well when he was here. He was an OK run stopper and thats it. Zero impact plays in 2012.

 

He's nothing amazing, but his performance here in 2013(and I'd say the second half of 2012) is a big improvement over what we had last year. I'd be quite happy to swap him out with Ellerbe at weakside.

 

I'd be all for it if he's healthy. Veteran presence who is familiar with the team and surroundings.

 

Even if it's just to compete for a role as nickel linebacker I don't see why not. Misi just left practice with some kind of foot injury.

 

I'd bring him back, and what is this we are better than the Raiders stuff. lol Every team has a talent at some position that would be an upgrade for us at certain positions.... besides... pretty sure we've been in the playoffs just as often as the Raiders since 2000, except they actually won a few rounds and been to a Super Bowl.

 

My preference would be to go young. I see LB like RB in that it's a position where you can go young and still get production.

 

When I read that the second string linebackers unit features Jason Trusnik and Jonathan Freeny, I find no good explanation for why they couldn't give Burnett a call to see if he wants to continue playing football at a cheap price tag. Basically Jelani Jenkins and Jordie Tripp are the only backup linebackers worth a damn and we don't know if either is ready to contribute.

 

Going younger was basically the excuse which was used when the Dolphins let Dansby and Burnett go after the 2012 and signed Ellerbe and Wheeler to replace them. All that did was lead to the Dolphins having a younger and less productive LB corp in 2013 than they had in 2012.

If the young player you draft or sign in free agency to replace an older player has talent, going younger makes sense. Unfortunately Ellerbe and Wheeler just aren't as talented as Dansby and Burnett, so going younger last year at the LB position backfired on the Dolphins.

That being stated, I don't see this team being a legitimate playoff contender for at least two more years. So I have no problem using the next couple of years to see which of the young players on the roster are players we need to build the future around.

Burnett probably would prefer to go to a SB contender if possible, but I don't see him wanting to come back to Miami after the way he was just let go after the 2012 season. I also doubt if the Dolphins would have any interest in signing him at this time.

 

Burnett will be lucky to find a team that is interested in him. He is probably not going to be signed until there is a big injury.

 

When he was here before, he played the run better than any LB we had last year. Last year in Oakland, he again played better than his replacement in Miami.

 

Forget SD and Miami. He had a really good (Top 10 good) season against the run last season:

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2014/run-stop-rates-2013

 

Hope Ellerbe isn't on the top of the "worst run stop rate" list next season... good lord 37% is horrific.

 

This is something that PFF pretty much concurs on with Football Outsiders. Burnett was 2nd in run defense among all LBs. Ellerbe was 4th worst among all. Wheeler was 7th worst among all LBs.

 

For that reason alone I'd say sign him.