Oct 6, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Kevin Burnett (94) tackles San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
It’s that time of year again when NFL Media attempts to start some type of drama associated with the Oakland Raiders. This time it’s about Oakland Raiders LB Kevin Burnett. Burnett is the only player on the Raiders roster not attending voluntary workouts this week, big deal. The workouts are voluntary, and if I’m not mistaken, Burnett was an intricate part of the Raiders defense last year. He knows the playbook, and he knows what he needs to do to get his job done. Did I mention that the workouts are “VOLUNTARY.”
When a player doesn’t show up to workouts people automatically assume there’s some type of rift between the player and the organization, or people assume the player wants a bigger contract. Look, Burnett is a professional who will be there when “Mandatory” camp/workouts begin. Did anybody ever think he may be absent for a good reason? Maybe something to do with his family? Maybe he is trying to enjoy just a couple more weeks of the off-season before he’s back in the NFL grind once again?
I’m sure the media would love some type of juicy contract drama, like in the case of TE Vernon Davis in San Francisco, but this isn’t the case for Burnett. Like I said before, this is the time of year that media outlets try to drum up some drama to give themselves something to put on paper, or blog sites, or computer screens, or smart phones, or Twitter. In the end, the reality of the situation involving Burnett is nothing. As a matter of fact, the team is in contact with Burnett and there is no reason to believe that this is anything other than just a player being absent for a good reason.
Kevin Burnett tallied up Pro-Bowl type numbers in 2013 with the Oakland Raiders, and he will do it again in 2014. Don’t believe me? Check these numbers against LB’s who made the Pro-Bowl in 2013: 105 combined tackles (83 solo/22 assisted), 2.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. Better yet, you can check out the Blog I wrote regarding both Burnett and Nick Roach being slighted from the Pro-Bowl just due to the fact they were on a losing team: https://justblogbaby.com/2014/04/29/oakland-raiders-defensive-backfield/
In any event, I’m not worried one bit about Kevin Burnett not showing up to “VOLUNTARY” workouts. Oh yes, just so we’re clear on another front, Kevin Burnett’s brother plays for the Oakland Raiders, and I believe that Kevin and Kaelin Burnett would both like to remain on the same team moving forward.
So go ahead Media Outlets, try to drum up the drama you so desire out of Oakland, but don’t cry when you’re disappointed in the fact that this team is finally on solid ground and ready to win. Kevin Burnett is a Veteran football player who knows how to take care of his body and prepare himself for an NFL season. He will be there when it’s time, and that’s all that matters to this Oakland Raiders fan. Raider Nation is not worried, because we know our team, and our team is going to win! “Just Win Baby!”