But just days before the Chargers travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys team with which Burnett spent the first four seasons of his career, the Tennessee graduate was silent when reporters approached him Thursday. He’d said earlier in the week that he didn’t “want to give anyone any ammunition,” and he’s stuck to it.
While he’ll choose another week to talk about it, Burnett’s first season in San Diego has brought about an increased role for him and in turn been his best of his five-year NFL career. Despite missing three games with a high ankle sprain, he’s already established new career highs in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss. He’s been the team’s leading tackler in three games.
While
“We needed a cover linebacker, a guy that was good in space,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “We were struggling. We have some real physical guys but I’m not sure we had that type of player in our group of linebackers. He’s brought that dimension to us. His presence has been very good for us when people try to spread us out in our nickel package.”
Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera lauded Burnett’s explosiveness, and Turner also credited Burnett for an energy that he’s brought to San Diego.
“He’s gotten a couple game balls from us,” Turner said. “He missed a couple games with an injury but he came roaring back and has played awfully well since he’s been back.”
Earlier this season, Burnett followed the same silent approach prior to the Chargers matchup with the Miami Dolphins. Miami V.P. of Football Operations Bill Parcells was the head coach in Dallas when the Cowboys drafted Burnett, and Burnett let his play do the speaking that week. He led the Chargers with 14 tackles, one for loss, and a sack in a Chargers victory.
This week he’s preparing to play against even more familiar faces, and he’s hoping the same routine will yield the same results.
