Showcases good fluidity when asked to turn and run down the field with receivers in man coverage, gets up to speed quickly, locates the football and makes it tough for wideouts to cleanly go up and try to make the catch.
However, isn’t as impressive when asked to quickly change directions and get out of his breaks. Isn’t as smooth, balanced or compact in his back-pedal as you would like, and he gets overextended and high in his drop. And the further down the field he goes the more he struggles to quickly regain his balance and redirect. Gives up significant separation initially and tends to drift too much from receivers in his drop. Isn’t real comfortable when asked to press off the line either. Will lose balance initially trying to get into his target’s frame, allowing receivers to cleanly gain a step behind him.
Impression: He does have some holes in his game, but because of his natural athleticism, ball skills and savvy, he’s a very good zone and off player who can find the football on plays in front of him. Looks like a potential starter if given a chance to play in a predominantly zone scheme."
Negatives: Might be too short to operate as anything more than a nickel or dime corner. Appears to have good but not great straight-line speed. Typically maintains the proper cushion, though he bites on double-moves. Generally a reliable cut-and-swipe tackler; he can get himself in trouble lunging in run support. Scouts would like to see him wrap his arms more securely around the ballcarrier. Has only marginal strength overall for the position and can get tied up when blockers get their hands on him."
Positive: Opportunistic defensive back who plays with outstanding fundamentals. Quick pedaling in reverse,can flip his hips off the line, and loses nothing transitioning to run with opponents. Displays good route recognition in zone, shows a terrific burst of closing speed, and flashes on the scene. Plays with good awareness, works well with safeties, and has terrific hands.
Negative: Average size. Shows some inconsistency on the field. Lacks NFL speed and timed poorly at the combine.
Analysis: Burney is a well-rounded cornerback with potential in a variety of systems at the next level. He lacks classic size/speed yet does enough things well that he could see significant action as a nickel back in the NFL."
Negatives: Is undersized, at least an inch too short for the position... Was suspended for NCAA rules violations, stock may have fallen slightly due to suspension... Has difficulty getting off blocks at times, size is really a major factor in run defense, makes the effort, but simply gets outmuscled at times... Height is a disadvantage in jump-ball situations, has decent leaping ability, but gives up too many inches to taller receivers... Is below-average in press coverage, mostly plays off the ball, not very physical in man coverage."
Weaknesses: Has major size limitations, and can be over-powered by modern 220-pound wideouts. Will lose in red zone situations and jump ball situations to NFL #1s and #2s. May be a career nickle back. May be best used as a slot spy. Not the best open field tackler, especially on big backs or tightends. Will have to have his character questions evaluated in the post season.
Projection: 3-4 the rounder right now, who could sneak into 2nd with an excellent interview-eoom performance at the NFL Combine or pro days."
The interception theme would continue in 2009. Even while teams avoided Burney, he still managed to intercept five passes. His tackle and passes defended numbers were down, but that was more a result of the opposition avoiding his side of the field than anything else. Burney's starting streak ended at the beginning of 2010 as he missed the first six games of the season while serving a suspension dished out by the NCAA for receiving improper benefits. He missed a seventh game for what UNC called an "unresolved issue." Burney finally got back on the field in late October and in five regular season games tallied 24 tackles and recorded his tenth career interception.
Burney could only do so much for the North Carolina defense after sitting out for so long during his senior season. His 5-9 frame has always been a concern to many NFL teams and now they have even more of a reason to let the corner slide down their draft boards. While Burney was serving his suspension, other corners have had productive seasons and flown past him on many draft boards. Burney will have to have some good workouts, which is certainly possible since he can run a 4.4 40, to move out of the middle rounds."
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.