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It hasn't been reported yet what draft picks they gave up to get him. Hopefully he has a rough transition to the 3-4 that the Asterisks typically run.
[url]http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/08/derrick_burgess_1.html[/url]
[url]http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2009/08/derrick_burgess_1.html[/url]
Derrick Burgess analysis
Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff
August 6, 2009 05:52 PM
The Patriots shored up the biggest weakness on their roster with today’s acquisition of Derrick Burgess -- their pass rush.
Regardless of what base defense the Patriots play -- a 3-4 or 4-3 -- Burgess will almost surely be part of sub packages, where he will add a pass-rushing presence that had been lacking. A nine-year veteran, he has 47 career sacks.
At 6 feet 2 inches and 260 pounds, Burgess projects to outside linebacker in a base 3-4 defense, a position he played briefly in the early part of his Raiders tenure under Rob Ryan. But the Raiders didn’t use much 3-4, and Burgess has been most comfortable at end in the 4-3.
So his acquisition gives the Patriots more flexibility to play a base 4-3, providing a solid rush presence to go along with more stout linemen Ty Warren, Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, and Ron Brace.
Burgess was unhappy in Oakland, holding out at the start of training camp, which might have accelerated his departure.
At this point, it is difficult to assess the trade without knowing what the Patriots gave up to acquire him (the team announced draft considerations).
One of the only definitive aspects of today’s transaction is this: The Patriots just got better defensively.
Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff
August 6, 2009 05:52 PM
The Patriots shored up the biggest weakness on their roster with today’s acquisition of Derrick Burgess -- their pass rush.
Regardless of what base defense the Patriots play -- a 3-4 or 4-3 -- Burgess will almost surely be part of sub packages, where he will add a pass-rushing presence that had been lacking. A nine-year veteran, he has 47 career sacks.
At 6 feet 2 inches and 260 pounds, Burgess projects to outside linebacker in a base 3-4 defense, a position he played briefly in the early part of his Raiders tenure under Rob Ryan. But the Raiders didn’t use much 3-4, and Burgess has been most comfortable at end in the 4-3.
So his acquisition gives the Patriots more flexibility to play a base 4-3, providing a solid rush presence to go along with more stout linemen Ty Warren, Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, and Ron Brace.
Burgess was unhappy in Oakland, holding out at the start of training camp, which might have accelerated his departure.
At this point, it is difficult to assess the trade without knowing what the Patriots gave up to acquire him (the team announced draft considerations).
One of the only definitive aspects of today’s transaction is this: The Patriots just got better defensively.
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