- Jun 9, 2014
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I don't really know where to put this. The prospect of this has been discussed in a few threads, but I can't find them now anyway.
I like the idea of going bigger and finally trying to stop the run a little as opposed to playing a cornerback here given that no one in the SEC passes anyway.
I wonder if we will see him some tomorrow. It also obviously implies that Chauncey is gone, as expected.
Some were able to take advantage enough that they've likely carved out a bigger role for themselves going forward. Like freshman nickelback Amari Burney, who will have a chance to potentially step in as a starter once Chauncey Gardner-Johnson heads to the NFL....
"He's a big body type, everybody says he's a linebacker but Burney can run," Gardner-Johnson said. "Out of the DBs that's fastest it goes CJ (Henderson), me, Burney, then everybody else. Burney's going to surprise a lot of people. You're going to see a lot more of 30 this week."
...
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham pointed to Burney as one of four true freshmen that really stood out during the developmental practices, along with safety John Huggins, linebacker David Reese and defensive end Andrew Chatfield.
Grantham likes the versatility Burney's unique size and athleticism offer.
"I think he really has a lot of position flexibility. He's really fast," Grantham said. "He's a smart kid, very conscientious, has got good instincts, he can run. Brings a physical presence when he tackles you. I think he gives us, the biggest thing I see with him is positional flexibility. I think he can play the position he's playing now. I think he can play linebacker too. I think it's just a matter of how do we get our best 11 players on the field. I think he'll certainly be a guy that will challenge for one of those spots."
Burney seems like the obvious candidate to step in for Gardner-Johnson at nickelback next year, but he's not the only one.
The Florida defensive coordinator doesn't appear to have fully made up his mind just yet, which isn't surprising given there are months to go before next season.
"I think you look at all the corners that we have, even our safeties, all of those guys can fill the role," Grantham said. "Marco (Wilson) is a guy that's played it before his freshman year. C.J. McWilliams is a guy that's been in there. Then because of our issues outside, we kind of moved him more outside and Burney came along, ended up being the backup. Of course Burney can play it. Trey Dean is another guy that has size and speed and a physical presence to him that can do that.
"I don't know if that's really etched in stone as far as who will be that guy. I think the biggest thing is we'll kind of evaluate all those guys as say outside corners, inside playing the star position or you're playing the safety and then the star, to just see what kind of combination of players gives us the best chance to be productive."
Burney on verge of a much bigger role on Florida defense
More at the link. Great article by Goldkamp
I like the idea of going bigger and finally trying to stop the run a little as opposed to playing a cornerback here given that no one in the SEC passes anyway.
I wonder if we will see him some tomorrow. It also obviously implies that Chauncey is gone, as expected.
Some were able to take advantage enough that they've likely carved out a bigger role for themselves going forward. Like freshman nickelback Amari Burney, who will have a chance to potentially step in as a starter once Chauncey Gardner-Johnson heads to the NFL....
"He's a big body type, everybody says he's a linebacker but Burney can run," Gardner-Johnson said. "Out of the DBs that's fastest it goes CJ (Henderson), me, Burney, then everybody else. Burney's going to surprise a lot of people. You're going to see a lot more of 30 this week."
...
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham pointed to Burney as one of four true freshmen that really stood out during the developmental practices, along with safety John Huggins, linebacker David Reese and defensive end Andrew Chatfield.
Grantham likes the versatility Burney's unique size and athleticism offer.
"I think he really has a lot of position flexibility. He's really fast," Grantham said. "He's a smart kid, very conscientious, has got good instincts, he can run. Brings a physical presence when he tackles you. I think he gives us, the biggest thing I see with him is positional flexibility. I think he can play the position he's playing now. I think he can play linebacker too. I think it's just a matter of how do we get our best 11 players on the field. I think he'll certainly be a guy that will challenge for one of those spots."
Burney seems like the obvious candidate to step in for Gardner-Johnson at nickelback next year, but he's not the only one.
The Florida defensive coordinator doesn't appear to have fully made up his mind just yet, which isn't surprising given there are months to go before next season.
"I think you look at all the corners that we have, even our safeties, all of those guys can fill the role," Grantham said. "Marco (Wilson) is a guy that's played it before his freshman year. C.J. McWilliams is a guy that's been in there. Then because of our issues outside, we kind of moved him more outside and Burney came along, ended up being the backup. Of course Burney can play it. Trey Dean is another guy that has size and speed and a physical presence to him that can do that.
"I don't know if that's really etched in stone as far as who will be that guy. I think the biggest thing is we'll kind of evaluate all those guys as say outside corners, inside playing the star position or you're playing the safety and then the star, to just see what kind of combination of players gives us the best chance to be productive."
Burney on verge of a much bigger role on Florida defense
More at the link. Great article by Goldkamp
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