Oakland Raiders Show They’re Getting Close in Tough Loss

Improved

Miles Burris doesn’t have the instincts to be good middle linebacker, so give props to Allen for switching to the 3-4 defense. That moved Burris to inside linebacker and it looks like that’s the place for Burris to be an asset to the defense. Early in the game, it looked like the same ole Burris as he took off the wrong way as the running back went through his area.

Only this time, the running backs were taken down in the secondary instead of going 40 or 70-yards for a touchdown run. But then, he settled down in the second quarter and really looked like a solid inside linebacker in the second half. He came up and met running backs in the hole in the second half with a physicality I didn’t know he had.

The only problems Burris has now is out in coverage and missing the tackle in space after his man makes the catch. That stems from Burris wanting to make plays too badly and getting out of control which is probably why Allen loves him. But that cost the Raiders a couple of chances to get off the field on third down so as he seems to be growing up in front of us, he needs to control himself.

I see now that the kid can be good.