Marvin Lewis says Vontaze Burfict wants to change his image | ProFootballTalk

 

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer that Burfict was motivated to get into better shape after his disastrous Scouting Combine and Pro Day performances, and getting in better shape will take Burfict a long way.

 

“We will continue to get him in shape,” Lewis said. “He’s a better conditioned athlete now than he was at the Combine and at ASU in March. If he continues to go down that path, he seems bright enough to learn. He seems willing to want change this image people have of him.”

 

Burfict has said he’s excited about the opportunity to play for Lewis, and Lewis was impressed when Burfict made a point of reaching out to him.

Vontaze Burfict - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN

 

ESPN article on Burfict

 

"Burfict’s reputation proceeded him before ASU's season began -- but he was perceived as such a talent that most had no problem projecting him as a first-round pick; then a second-rounder; then a third-day pick before most eventually predicted he wouldn't be drafted at all. Mob stoolies in cement shoes don’t sink that fast."

 

:lol:

“Not being picked, going undrafted I have a big chip on my shoulder and I’m ready to hit somebody,” Burfict told Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

 

Uneventful first day for Burfict | Bengals Blog

 

Vontaze Burfict: “I have a big chip on my shoulder” | ProFootballTalk

Sounds like we will have a new MLB hopefully!

“I don’t know what down side there is. I think he’s a young man who has fallen from graces everywhere,” Lewis said on NFL Network’s Total Access. “Through the draft process, obviously at Arizona State, he didn’t play very well as a senior player. But when you watch some of the things he did on tape, he has the hips, the snap, he has the ability to play under and through blocks, and that’s what you’re looking for in a linebacker. We’re providing the opportunity for Vontaze. He’ll continue to get better. He’s changing his body physically from the body that played in the ’11 season at Arizona State. He’s a much lighter player now again, and I’m pleased with what he did last week in our rookie camp. I want to see him continue to get better and it’ll be fun next week when we get the full team out here in OTAs.”

 

Marvin Lewis: No down side to signing Vontaze Burfict | ProFootballTalk

“I don’t know what down side there is. I think he’s a young man who has fallen from graces everywhere,” Lewis said on NFL Network’s Total Access. “Through the draft process, obviously at Arizona State, he didn’t play very well as a senior player. But when you watch some of the things he did on tape, he has the hips, the snap, he has the ability to play under and through blocks, and that’s what you’re looking for in a linebacker. We’re providing the opportunity for Vontaze. He’ll continue to get better. He’s changing his body physically from the body that played in the ’11 season at Arizona State. He’s a much lighter player now again, and I’m pleased with what he did last week in our rookie camp. I want to see him continue to get better and it’ll be fun next week when we get the full team out here in OTAs.”

 

Marvin Lewis: No down side to signing Vontaze Burfict | ProFootballTalk

 

So far it sounds like a great pickup by the Bengals...He seems like a hungry out to prove the doubters wrong and is gratefull for a second chance...He can go as far as his hard work takes him, I see no way he doesnt make the team after reading about him and how he has performed so well...I think he will end up being the most productive linebacker from this years class, one of my favorite things about the Bengals is the second chances they give kids...Some see it as a flaw and a bad reputation but I see it as a great thing that the Bengals family do for young men that dont deserve to have a promising future thrown away from making mistakes at a young age...I hope it works out for Burfict...

Additionally I think it really helps LB is one area the Bengals roster is a little lite.